Five memorable world cup semi finals. The 2014 FIFA Cup Brazil semi finals commence today. Here are five that have already left a mark on football history. 1954-HUNGARY 4 URUGUAY 2 Regarded as one of the greatest ever World Cup games,Hungary,who distoryed West Germany 8-3 in the group stage,went 2-0 up against the Uruguayan defending Champions and looked destined for the final. But the south Americans fought back through a juan Hohlberg double to take the match into extra time. Two headers from Sandor Kocsis,who was to score 11 times in the tournament,gave the Hungarian a 4-2 win. It was the most beautiful,the most human match of my life ,Commented Hungarian star Jozsek Boszik. The Magyare went on to lose 3-2 to west Germany in another stunning result in the final. 1966 ENGLAND 2 PORTUGAL 1. Portugal,inspired by the Black PantherEusebio,had lit up the tournament and fancied their chances aganist England. Two Bobby Charlton goals gave the hosts 2-0 lead going into final 10 minutes however. Eusebio,thwarted by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks throughout the game,buried a penalty in the 83rd minute that was the first goal the pressure,England held out. That was the greatest performance by the team in this competition to date said Coach Alf Ramsey.His Portugal counterpart Otto Gloria forecast correctly that the England would beat the German in the:England plays football as it should be played. Germany relies on force,he said. 1970 - Italy 4 West Germany 3 Regarded by some as the Game of the 20th century the Italians look the lead in the eighth minute through Roberto Boninsegna the packed their defence and held out until the final minute when Uwe Seeler equalised. This prompted the most unlikeliest of extra time goal deluges in the sapping Mexican heat.Gerd Der BomberMuller put the lead through Luigi Riva.Muller scored again but as the Germans congratulated themselves,the Italians stole in to restore the lead through Gianni Rivera and this time they held on. They were so exhausted by their efforts that they wilted against a stunning Brazil side in the final and lost 4-1. 1982 WEST GERMANY 3 FRANCE 3(AET,GERMANY WON 5-4 ON PENALTIES) A wonderful fluctuating match overshadowed by Harald Schumachers shoulder charge on Patrick Battiston-with the Germans going 1-0 up through Pierre Littbarski,Michael Platini levelled from the penalty spot and then the French went 3-1 up in extra time with two splendid goals by Marius Tresor and the diminutive Alain Giresse. However,the Germans levelled at 3-3 through goa5 by kael-Heinz Rummenigge and Klaus Fischer. Maxime Bossis had a shootout penalty saved by the pumped up Schumacher and as he dragged himself away in a daze the musclebound Horst Hrubesch were more creative,but the Germans more resourceful. 1998 FRANCE 2 CROATIA 1 Hosts France defied many critics by reaching the last four. A hugely talented Croatia side appearing in first World Cup finals after the break up of Yugoslavia, took a 1 -0 lead a minute into the second half through Davor Super . However the French bounced back a minute later through full back Lilian Thuram also scored his first ever international goal. Thuram also scored the second with a curling half volley.He sank to his kneesand held a finger to the side of his head marvelling at his timing. The only sour note was cast by Slaven Bilic who simulated being headbult by Laurent Blanc which led to Blancs first ever red card. He missed the momentous 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 18:03:07 +0000
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