World Cup 2018: 4 best semifinals in the history of the tournament 

#2 Hungary 4-2 Uruguay (after extra time), 1954

Uruguay came into this game as defending champions and with the astonishing record of having never lost a World Cup match

The 1954 edition of the World Cup threw up a spate of iconic games, and this one tops the list. The people of Lausanne witnessed a battle of gargantuan proportions, as the two best teams in the world faced off for a place in the final.

Uruguay came into this game as defending champions and with the astonishing record of having never lost a World Cup match.

Not to be outdone, Hungary arrived with their own jaw-dropping statistics – they had not lost a football match in four years, and were making waves with their ultra-attacking style of play - Hungary came into the semifinal having won 9-0 against South Korea and having pumped eight past West Germany, while Uruguay had hammered Scotland 7-0.

Hungary was happy to pass the ball around, even in the pouring rain. Their overwhelming possession soon culminated in the opening goal, through Zoltan Czibor’s drive.

Uruguay was still relying on individual bursts of skill and pace, which allowed the Europeans to continue dominating throughout the first half. Hungary picked up where they left off after the change of ends and added to their lead through Nandor Hidegkuti.

With their backs to the wall, Uruguay had no choice but to go hell for leather in attempting to salvage anything from this game.

Midfielder Juan Hohberg’s influence grew gradually as the South Americans found themselves in the Hungarian half more often, and it paid dividends, as Hohberg himself reduced the deficit to make it 2-1, with fifteen minutes left.

Sensing blood, Uruguay now started bombarding the Hungarian goal in search of an equalizer.

After several near misses, Hohberg once again scored in the 86th minute to restore parity between the sides. At full time, the scores were locked at 2-2: this enthralling spectacle was to continue for half an hour more.

The continuous defending Uruguay had to do in order to keep Hungary at bay was resulting in tiredness, and the fitter Europeans took full advantage: star striker Sandor Kocsis scored twice in the space of seven minutes to take Hungary to the final after a classic in Lausanne.

Hungary eventually lost to West Germany in the final. From thereon, the collapse of Hungarian football started, ending with the Hungarian Revolution a couple of years later.