Hungary and the 1954 World Cup: a history to remember

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It is impossible to talk about great soccer teams without mentioning the Hungary of the 1950s. Today, the Hungarian team will rarely appear among the favorites when it comes to the soccer Vegas odds, but the nation played a huge role in the history of soccer.

If the blessed 1954 World Cup had been in Hungarian hands, perhaps soccer in the country could be different nowadays. And if the political conflicts between Hungary and USSR hadn’t existed, maybe the country would have had the chance to hold on to its stars for longer.

Even without a World Cup title, Hungary made history. Puskás, Kocsis, Hidegkuti, and company put on so many shows, that soccer will never forget that stupendous team, nicknamed the Magyar Magicians, who innovated the sport with the “WW” formation (which would be the embryo of Brazil’s 4-2-4 in the 1958 World Cup) and stunned countless opponents (including Brazil), among them the superb England, who beat them six times at Wembley Stadium.

It’s time to remember the great history of Hungary and the 1954 World Cup.

The 1954 World Cup would be marked as the one with the highest goal average in history: an absurd 5.4 goals per game! That’s right! There were 140 goals in 26 games! This astronomical goal average was benefited, of course, by Hungary.

In the first round, two victories: 9-0 against South Korea and 8-3 against Germany. They scored 17 goals in two games. Surreal? Not for Puskás, Kocsis, and Hidegkuti, who were flying high at that World Cup.

In the quarter-finals, Hungary faced Brazil in a game that would become the most violent ever recorded in World Cups at the time and which became known as the “Battle of Bern”.

There were three red cards (all recorded in the World Cup, in a single match!) and a lot of fisticuffs. In the end, Hungarian soccer prevailed, beating Brazil 4-2.

In the semifinal, an epic game against Uruguay. The match was well fought, showing the quality of the Uruguayans and scaring the Magyars a little.

After a 2-2 draw in normal time, however, Hungary showed more power of precision and scored two goals: 4-2 to Hungary. The team was in the final. It was time for the coronation of the greatest squad on the planet. It was, were it not for the Germans…

After experiencing the “Battle of Berne”, Hungary had to witness another feat in the Swiss city – a miracle. The world’s most feared and formidable team inexplicably succumbed to Fritz Walter’s Germany and lost 3-2. How could a team like that, full of stars, lose a World Cup that was won? Several factors can explain it.