Special Report: FIFA World Cup Soccer 2010: Top 10 come-backs in World Cup.
Thrilling, exciting and despair are words which sum up any knockout stage in a FIFA World Cup. There’s absolutely no room for error, that’s how simple it is. Everything has to be inch perfect in order to make sure that your weaknesses are not exploited. The team that scores first usually change their strategy to a more defence one. Attacks are vehemently blocked to maintain the lead. This is how knock-out rounds strategies work. Italy won four World Cups by using it effectively.
Consequently, making a come-back from one or two goals down is perhaps almost impossible. But when players and teams turn the impossible into possible, fans get to see the rarest and defining moments of the World Cup. It takes an instant to convert players into legends and knock-out stages make it happen. Let’s have a look at the top ten come back moments of all time.
10) France vs. Croatia 2-1 (France 1998): The French conceded a goal just at the start of the second half in a semi-final situation with the home crowd piling up more pressure than ever. The hosts responded via Lilian Thuram in the 47th to level the score. Despite Croatia’s defensive strategies, Thuram found the back of the net once again in the 69th minute to take the hosts into the final which they later won.
9) Portugal vs. North Korea 5-3 (England 1966): The Koreans were on fire when they sent Italy home in the knockout stages earlier in the tournament. They were to face Portugal in the quarter-finals and were cruising after scoring 3 goals against Portugal in the opening 25 minutes. Portuguese legend Eusébio da Silva Ferreira had other plans and scored just two minutes later after Korea’s third goal. He made it 3-2 just before half time from the penalty spot. He wasn’t done as he added two more in the second half, making it four in a single match. Portugal scored one more in the 80th minute to make it 5-3, pitting themselves against host England for their first ever semi-final in a FIFA World Cup.
8) Brazil vs. Sweden 5-2 (Sweden 1958): This victory for Brazil was perhaps the most emotional and legendary when they beat hosts Sweden to grasp their first World Cup title. Unknown to the world at the time, Pele had promised something extraordinary to his father, when his country lost in the 1950 World Cup on home soil. His father cried for the first and only time in front of him when Brazil lost in that World cup, and Pele asked his father not to cry as he would win the World Cup for his father and the country. The very day came eight years later when Brazil faced Sweden in the final match with Pele leading the Brazilian attack at the age of 17 years. Within 4 minutes, Sweden had scored. However, Brazil fought back into the game like true champions. Pele scored twice for his team to make it 5-2 at the full time whistle. He fulfilled his promise to his father and country, and then proved to be perhaps the biggest football legend of all time.
7) Germany vs. Holland 2-1 (Germany 1974): Holland got off to a flying start in their first ever World Cup final, scoring against hosts Germany from the penalty spot just two minutes into the match. The Germans were looking to avenge their loss to England some 8 years ago in the final. However, things were going Holland’s way. Germany came back to score from a penalty within the first 25 minutes, followed by another one just at the brink of half-time. There were no goals after the first half as the Germans basked in the glory of winning a World Cup at home soil.
6) England vs. Brazil 1-2 ( Korea Japan 2002): This match was an important one for both the teams, as it was widely believed that whosoever won this match, would go on to lift the trophy. England took an early lead with Michael Owen scoring to take England to a 1-0 score. Rivaldo fought back to level the scores. The English attacked with impunity afterwards, making things very difficult for the Selecao stars. In the moment which perhaps defined Ronaldinho’s illustrious career, he took an audacious free kick from 50 yards out, above David Seaman’s head, and into the top corner. Ronaldinho’s strike sunk England, and Brazil advanced into the semi-finals to eventually lift their fifth title.
5) Italy vs. Germany 4-3 (Mexico 1970): The semi-final between Italy and Germany proved to be an epic encounter which is till date, dubbed as the Game of the Century. Italy took an early lead, and defended this lead till the final whistle had blown. In injury time, Karl-Heinz Schnellinger was able to level the score, taking the match into extra-time. Germany took the lead in injury time when Mueller scored his first goal of the match. The Italians equalised in the 98th minute to take the score to a 2-2 tie. At the end of the first extra-time, Italy scored again, making it 3-2. Italy was all set to win but Germany fought back, scoring yet again to make it 3-3. Italy however had the last laugh as they scored just two minutes later, and went to win the game.
4) England vs. Germany 4-2 (England 1966): Being the hosts, England was aware of the fact that if they were to win a World Cup, this was the closest that they could get. After being pitted against Germany in the final, it was easier said than done. The German struck first, scoring at the 12th minute. England cancelled the lead, scoring six minutes later. England took the lead in the 78th minute of the match and were all set to win their first World Cup. The Germans had other plans who scored in the 89th minute to take the game into extra time. But, Hurst struck in the101st and 120th minute which proved too much for the Germans and went on to win the World Cup.
3) Germany vs. Hungry 3-2 (Switzerland 1954): It is known as the “Miracle of Berne” as it remembered as one of the defining moments in German Football history. Hungry were heavy favourites to win this bout after an undefeated streak of 32 matches spanning over 5 years. Hungry scored two goals early in the match, only to face a German fight back. After levelling the scoring, a late goal in the 84th minute gave Germany the lead over Hungry and went on to win the match, ending the 32 match streak of the Hungarians.
2) Italy vs. Czechoslovakia 2-1(Italy 1934): Italy was the first European side to host the World Cup and looked to take advantage of the home crowd. Italy was passing through a tough time, with Mussolini demanding victory for his fascist regime. Things also didn’t look too good on the football field, when the Czech’s scored in the 76th minute. Italy however came back to level the scores to win their first ever victory.
1) Uruguay vs. Brazil 2-1 (Brazil 1950): Hosts Brazil were all set to win this world cup, playing in front of a jam packed 210,000 crowd. Uruguay however managed the biggest come-from-behind victory of all time. Brazil took the early lead, and was comfortably enjoying the energy from the home crowd. Uruguay however equalised in the 66th minute of the match. With just ten minutes left, Uruguay scored again and silenced the 200,000-strong Brazilian crowd. The Brazilian crowd could not take the defeat too well. Many fans starting jumping from the second story stands to commit suicide. The Brazilians players never dressed in the white kit ever again and some never played for the national side. It is perhaps the single worst moment in Brazil’s illustrious football history. Pele was nine years old back then who tool this defeat to his heart, when his father cried in front of him following this defeat. He promised to his father that he would bring the trophy home for his father and his country and it was perhaps this promise which made him the greatest legend of all time.
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