The 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil semi-finalscommence on Tuesday. Here are five world cup semi-finals that have already left a mark on football history:
#1 1954 Hungary 4 Uruguay 2
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Regarded as one of the greatest ever World Cup games, Hungary, who had destroyed West Germany 8-3 in the group stage, looked destined for the final after went 2-0 up against the defending champions, Uruguay. But the South Americans fought back through a Juan Hohlberg double to take the match into extra time.
However, the mighty Hungarians stood up to test. Two headers from Sandor Kocsis, who was to score 11 times in the tournament, gave the Hungarians a 4-2 win. "It was the most beautiful, the most humane match of my life," commented Hungarian star Jozsek Boszik. The Magyars however went on to lose 3-2 to West Germany in another stunning result in the final.
#2 1966 England 2 Portugal 1
Portugal, inspired by the 'Black Panther' Eusebio, had lit up the tournament and fancied their chances against England. But, two Bobby Charlton goals gave the hosts a 2-0 lead going into the final 10 minutes. Eusebio, thwarted by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks for most of the game, buried a penalty in the 83rd minute. That, in fact was the first goal the English had conceded in the finals. Despite huge late 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 English would beat the Germans in the final: "England plays football as it should be played. Germany relies on force," he said.
#3 1970 Italy 4 West Germany 3
Regarded by some as the 'Game of the 20th century', the Italians took the lead in the eighth minute through Roberto Boninsegna. Then the Azurris packed their defence and tried to hold on. The plan was successful until the final minute when Uwe Seeler equalized. This prompted the most unlikeliest of extra time goal deluges in the sapping Mexican heat.
Gerd 'Der Bomber' Muller put the Germans in front before the Italians levelled and regained 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 to win it 4-3 eventually.
They were so exhausted by their efforts that they wilted against a stunning Brazil side in the final and lost 4-1.
#4 1982 West Germany 3 France 3 (aet, Germany won 5-4 on penalties)
This was a wonderfully fluctuating match which however was overshadowed by Harald Schumacher's shoulder charge on Patrick Battiston.
Pierre Littbarski put the Germans in front, only for Michel Platini to level from the penalty spot. With no further goals in regulation time, the game went into extra-time where the French took over to begin. Les Bleus went 3-1 up with two splendid goals by Marius Tresor and the diminutive Alain Giresse. However, the Germans came roaring back to tie the game at 3-3 through goals by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Klaus Fischer.
Maxime Bossis had a shoot-out penalty saved by the pumped up Schumacher and as he dragged himself away in a daze, the musclebound Horst Hrubesch thumped home his penalty for a 5-4 victory. The French were more creative, but the Germans more resourceful.
#5 1998 France 2 Croatia 1
Hosts France had already defied many critics by reaching the last four. A hugely-talented Croatia side, appearing in their first World Cup finals after the break up of Yugoslavia, took a 1-0 lead a minute into the second-half through Davor Suker.
However, the French bounced back a minute later through full back Lilian Thuram, who scored his first ever international goal. Thuram also scored the second with a curling half-volley. He sank to his knees and 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 headbutt by Laurent Blanc, which led to Blanc's first ever red card. This resulted in the current PSG manager missing the momentous 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final.
