Hosts: Switzerland
Winners: West Germany
Competing teams: 16
Where were England? Knocked out in the quarter-finals
This tournament was supposed to be all about the crowning of Hungary as the greatest team in the world. Instead it ended in disaster for the Magyars and national joy for a West Germany finally starting to emerge from the horrific shadows of war.
There was little sign of the shock to come in the group stages when on the back of an opening 9-0 win over South Korea, the Hungary of Puskas, Kocsis and Hidegkuti then hammered the Germans 8-3 in Basle. However, the scoreline was deceptive after the Germans put out a second-string side knowing they had a play-off against Turkey just days later. They won that 7-2.
Elsewhere, holders Uruguay made it into the quarter-finals where they defeated England 4-2. Meanwhile, Scotland’s debut in the competition didn’t get past the group stages (and never has since).
After beating Brazil in the last eight, Hungary took on Uruguay in the semi-final and ran out 4-2 winners in what was considered to be one of the finest World Cup matches ever.
However, West Germany were hitting top form as well and booked their place in the final after hammering Austria 6-1.
True to form Hungary were 2-0 up in the opening eight minutes of the final but, after pulling one back almost immediately, the Germans stuck to their game plan. The Hungarians became over confident and two goals from Helmut Rahn sealed one of the greatest ever World Cup shocks.
Did you know? In the opening group stages the two seeded teams were not required to play each other.
