FIFA World Cup: In 1954 Hungary Had Scored More Than Half A Dozen Twice.

April 2026: The 1954 FIFA World Cup was the fifth edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football tournament, which was held in Switzerland from 16th June to 04th July.

At Saint Jacob in Basel in the Group Stage: Hungary had outclassed West Germany (now Germany) by 08 goals to 03.

For Hungary the goal scorers were: Sandor Kocsis (3, 21, 69 & 78), Ferenc Puskas (17), Nandor Hidegkuti (52 & 54), Jozsef Toth (75).

For West Germany the goal scorers were: Alfred Pfaff (25), Helmut Rahn (77), Richard Herrmann (84).

At Hardturm in Zurich in the Group Stage: Hungary had outplayed Korean Republic by 09 goals without conceding a single.

For Hungary the goal scorers were: Ferenc Puskas (12 & 89), Mihaly Lantos (18), Sandor Kocsis (24, 36 & 50), Zoltan Czibor (59), Peter Palotas (75 & 83).

Hungary’s team captain Ferenc Puskás, considered by many as the best player in the world in that time, was injured by West German defender Werner Liebrich, and had to miss Hungary’s next two matches. Puskás played for Hungary in the final, despite still being in a questionable condition.

In the quarter-finals on 27th June 1954, the favourites Hungary beat Brazil 4–2 in one of the most violent matches in football history, which became infamous as the Battle of Berne. Played at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, Switzerland. Violent conduct and fighting prompted English referee Arthur Ellis to send off 03 players during the match. Fighting between the teams continued in the dressing rooms after the final whistle.

The match was played in driving rain, producing slippery conditions and a hard to control ball. Hungary took the lead in the third minute, with Nándor Hidegkuti scoring. Four minutes later, Sándor Kocsis made it 2–0 to Hungary. Brazil was awarded a penalty; Djalma Santos scored to make it 2–1 at half time.

In the second half, Hungary was awarded a penalty; Mihály Lantos scored to make the score 3–1. The penalty award was the cue for a pitch invasion by Brazilian journalists and officials, who had to be ushered off by police. The game then degenerated into a series of increasingly violent fouls and cynical tactics, with Brazilian forward Julinho scoring to bring the score to 3–2. After this, József Bozsik was fouled by Nilton Santos; the two men started fighting, and both were sent off. Hungary scored a fourth goal via Sándor Kocsis to make the score 4–2 to Hungary. The last moments of the game was little more than a running battle between the two teams; Brazilian forward Humberto Tozzi kicked Hungary’s Gyula Lóránt prior to the final whistle and was sent off.

In total, 42 free kicks and 02 penalties were awarded, with 04 cautions and 03 dismissals issued.

The ill-temper continued after the game, with the Brazilian players invading the Hungarian dressing room and continuing the on-pitch fighting. They were driven off by the notorious Hungarian AVH security police with batons and guns drawn. Despite evidence from independent witnesses of violent conduct from both sides, football’s governing body FIFA did nothing, leaving discipline to the respective countries.

1954 FIFA World Cup Final: Played at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, Switzerland on 04th July – Hungary’s Ferenc Puskás played again in the final, even though he was not fully fit. Despite this he put his team ahead after only six minutes and with Zoltán Czibor adding another two minutes later it seemed that the pre-tournament favourites would take the title. However, with a quick goal from Max Morlock in the 10th minute and an equaliser by Helmut Rahn in the 19th, the tide began to turn.

The second half saw telling misses by the Hungarian team. Barely six minutes before the end of the match, the popular German radio reporter Herbert Zimmermann delivered the most famous line in the German commentary, recommending that “Rahn should shoot from deep”, which he did. The second goal from Rahn gave West Germany a 3–2 lead while the Hungarian reporter György Szepesi burst into tears. Later, Zimmermann called Puskás offside before he kicked the ball into Toni Turek’s net with 2 minutes left. While referee William Ling pointed to the centre spot, linesman Griffiths signalled offside. After a one-minute consultation, Ling disallowed the claimed equaliser.

The West Germans were handed the Jules Rimet Trophy as World Cup winners.

Suvro Sanyal; Team Maverick.