Hungary lost only one international match between 1950 and 1956. They won the Olympics in 1952, then famously beat England 6-3 at the previously impregnable Wembley in 1953. Sadly, the one blot on their record came in the World Cup Final of 1954 in Switzerland.

Defeat came at the hands of West Germany. What made this all the more unlikely was the fact that the two teams had met during the group stages, Hungary winning 8-3. The Germans, under coach Sepp Herberger, had however fielded a weakened side.

The early stages of the final went according to script, with the Magyars racing into an early 2-0 lead, but by the 18th minute the Germans were level. An inspired performance from their goalkeeper Anton Turek kept them in the game, and Helmut Rahn's 80th minute strike was decisive, with a last-gasp Ferenc Puskas equalising effort being ruled offside.