Berne, July 4th - Wankdorf Stadion
3 (2) WEST GERMANY
Morlock 10
Rahn 18,84
Turek, Posipal, Kohlmeyer, Eckel, Liebrich, Mai, Rahn, Morlock, O.Walter, F.Walter, Schäfer.

2 (2) HUNGARY
Puskas 6
Czibor 8
Grosics, Buzanszky, Lantos, Bozsik, Lorant, Zakarias, Puskas, Kocsis, Hidegkuti, Czibor, J.Toth.

Referee: Bill Ling (England)
Attendance: 60.000
 
 

     A packed Wankdorf Stadion saw West Germany and Hungary battle in one of the finest finals the World Cup had seen. In appealing weather, the wet conditions were not ideal for football, but both sides displayed great skills in a game that was a repeat of their first round match, which Hungary won 8-3. Then of course, West German coach Sepp Herberger shrewdly fielded a weakened team. Now two weeks later, it was a different story.

    Puskas insisted on playing, even though he wasn't fully fit, and the "Galloping Major" put his side ahead after only six minutes, when he followed up a Kocsis shot that rebounded to him. Two minutes later, Czibor scored after a back-pass by the German left-back Werner Kohlmeyer, was not gathered by keeper Turek. Hungary led 2-0 after only 8 minutes and there could not have been anybody prepared to back a West German victory at this stage. But what a turnaround the crowd was about to witness.

     After 10 minutes, Morlock reduced the arrears when he latched on to a great pass from left-winger Schäfer which split the Hungarian defence. A mistake by the Hungarian keeper Grosics in the 18th minute allowed Rahn to equallize from a corner. The winger had been recalled for international duty for the first game with Hungary and had turned out to be one of the stars of the German team.

     Hungary came close to restoring their lead in the second half. Hidegkuti hit the post, Kocsis hit the bar, Kohlmeyer cleared off the line and Turek brought off a series of great saves. Six minutes from the end, with the prospect of extra time looming, Rahn picked up a half-hearted clearance from Lantos. The German winger raced to the edge of the penalty area and hit the ball, which skidded low past the diving keeper.

     With two minutes remaining Puskas had a goal disallowed for offside. It was a close call and the Hungarians were still arguing after the final whistle was blown. When English referee Bill Ling blew for full time, it meant that Hungary had lost their first match since 1950 (30 games). West Germany became the first unseeded team to win the World Cup and coach Sepp Herberger received much individual praise for the way he tactically guided his team to their ultimate honour.