10 Greatest Comebacks in World Cup Knockout History

#2 1966 World Cup Quarter-final: Portugal 5-3 North Korea

Soccer - World Cup England 1966 - Quarter Final - Portugal v North Korea - Goodison Park

In terms of the sheer scale of the comeback, this game ranks above all else in World Cup knockout stage history- no team has ever recovered from a three-goal deficit. Like 2010, North Korea arrived in the 1966 World Cup as one of the most mysterious teams in the tournament (none of their players were located outside their country). They shocked the footballing world (like their southern neighbours would 36 years later) with a dogged 1-0 win over Italy that placed them in the knockout stages ahead of the Azzurri.

Facing them in the quarter-finals was another World Cup debutant: Portugal. The latter were considered favourites because of the mercurial talents of Eusebio. The North Koreans got off to the best possible start when Pak Seung-Zin scored a screamer within the first minute. It would only get better for the minnows as two excellent team goals put them 3-0 up within the first 25 minutes.

Almost everyone in the stadium was in shock except for Eusebio. The striker pulled one back with an excellent finish. By the end of the half, Eusebio pulled another back through a penalty. North Korea defended desperately to prevent an equalizer but Eusebio was determined to end their fairy-tale run as he smashed him a third for his hat-trick.

But the Black Panther wasn’t done just yet. Three minutes after equalizing, he made a brilliant run from the halfway line to the six-yard box only to be brought down by a defender. Converting the ensuing penalty, Eusebio had completed one of the greatest comebacks in football history (qualifiers not needed). A final goal by Jose Augusto sealed the outcome and ensured Portugal 1966’s place in footballing history.