The 1954 Switzerland World Cup

Switzerland '54
The World Cup of Goals

The 5th World Cup is remembered for three reasons that marked it forever. It was the stage for the greatest match in World Cup history between Hungary and Uruguay. It also had the highest average number of goals in World Cup history, with 5.38 goals per match. However, it was also tarnished by the most violent match in World Cup history between Hungary and Brazil.

Participating teams: 16

West Germany
Austria
Belgium
Czechoslovakia
Scotland
France
Hungary
England
Italy
Switzerland
Yugoslavia
Brazil
Mexico
Uruguay
Turkey
South Korea

It was the year 1954, and just like four years earlier, there was only one clear and undisputed favorite: Hungary, with their unstoppable team featuring Puskás, Kocsis, and Hidegkuti. However, the grueling competition drained them, and the Golden Team arrived at the final exhausted, losing their 4-year undefeated streak to Germany.

The most violent match in history took place in the semifinals between Brazil and Hungary. After Hungary scored to make it 3-1, the Brazilians began kicking. Players started fighting on the field, leading to the expulsions of Bozsik, Humberto, and Nilton Santos. In the end, three Brazilian players chased Kocsis around the pitch. Pinheiro smashed a bottle on Puskás’s head, goalkeeper Castilho attacked the police, and there were chairs, cameras, torn shirts — chaos never before seen in a World Cup.

In the final, Hungary, who had crushed Germany 8-0 at the start of the tournament, arrived worn out. After leading 2-0 in a match that seemed theirs, they ultimately lost 3-2. Germany claimed their first World Cup title. No one could believe Hungary had lost, not even the Germans themselves. In the end, Jules Rimet handed the trophy to Fritz Walter and simultaneously stepped down as FIFA president.

Key Figures:

Ferenc Puskás (Hungary): Considered the greatest European scorer of all time and a standout of the tournament.
Fritz Walter (Germany): The captain who led his team to victory against all odds.
Sándor Kocsis (Hungary): Top scorer with 11 goals, nicknamed "Golden Head," and regarded as the best header in football history.

Final Standings: