FIFA World Cup 1954 Knock Out Stages

fifa world cup 1954 poster In the knock-out stage the four group leaders were drawn together so that the final would be between one of the group leaders and one of the runners-up. If matches in the knock-out stage were still tied after extra-time the winner would be decided by the toss of a coin: only the final would be replayed with lots being drawn if the score was still level after extra time in the replay.

The competition ended with "The Miracle of Bern," in which the amateur West German team defeated Hungary, the most succesful side in Europe at the time. The result caused a wave of euphoria throughout West Germany, which was still suffering from the consequences of war, and is regarded as a turning point in modern German history

Quarter Finals

Austria

Switzerland

Austria 7 Switzerland 5

Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne (35,000)
26 June 1954

Goals flew in at both ends in a bewildering first half in which neither side seemed to be bothering with a defence at all. In a twelve minute spell six goals were scored and at half-time it was 5-4 to Austria. A measure of sanity returned in the second half, when a mere three goals were scored.

Uruguay

England

Uruguay 4 England 2

St Jakob Stadium, Basel (35,000)
26 June 1954

With Matthews and Lofthouse back in the team, England were optimistic about their chances against the champions but their lack of skill and technical ability when compared to Uruguay meant they were always chasing the game. With 25 minutes left they were 3-2 down and pressing hard at Uruguay's defence but a defensive lapse, one of several, led to another goal and ended the contest.

(Richard Ralph, Andre Silva, Simon Monks)

Hungary

Brazil

Hungary 4 Brazil 2

Wankdorf Stadium, Bern (60,000)
27 June 1954

The two most talented sides in the world descended to outright violence in the infamous "Battle of Bern." Players scythed each other down with impunity and openly intimidated opponents. Hungary lost Toth to an injury in the first half and in the 71st minute Santos and Bozsik were sent off for fighting. The Brazilian Humberto joined them shortly before the final whistle. The match ended with a general melee in the tunnel in which spectators, photographers and finally the police all got involved.

West Germany

Yugoslavia

West Germany 2 Yugoslavia 0

Charmilles Stadium, Geneva (20,000)
27 June 1954

An own goal by Horvat put West Germany ahead in the opening minutes and with five minutes left, Rahn made it 2-0.

Semi-Finals

Hungary

Uruguay

Hungary 4 Uruguay 2 (after extra time)

Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne (37,000)
30 June 1954

One of the best match matches in the history of the World Cup saw Hungary go 2-0 up just after half-time but in the final quarter of an hour, Uruguay came back to level the scores and force extra-time. Kocsis scored the goals that finally took Hungary through.

West Germany

Austria

West Germany 6 Austria 1

St Jakob Stadium, Basel (58,000)
30 June 1954

West Germany sounded a warning with a comprehensive win over the stylish Austrians. Four goals in a twenty-minute spell at the start of the second half left Austria reeling after they had come back to make the score 2-1.

Third Place Match

Austria

Uruguay

Austria 3 Uruguay 1

Hardturm Stadium, Zürich (35,000)
3 July 1954

Uruguay looked jaded and disheartened after losing to Hungary in a low key match.

(Andre Silva)

Final

West Germany

Hungary

West Germany 3 Hungary 2

Wankdorf Stadium, Bern (60,000)
4 July 1954

West Germany, against all the odds pulled off a remarkable victory. Puskás, his ankle heavily strapped, put Hungary ahead in the sixth minute rapidly followed by a second from Czibor. The Germans, playing in newly invented boots with screw in studs that allowed them to better adapt to the wet conditions, struck back immediately and after 18 minutes they were level. Hungary poured forward in the second half but Germany held out and with six minutes left, Helmut Rahn put them in the lead. Puskás had the ball in the net minutes later but was controversially ruled offside. Recently discovered footage has now shown the linesman to have been correct.