England and Germany are great World Cup rivals. England beat West Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final, after extra time but England’s third goal probably did not cross the line. In the quarter-final in 1970. England led 2-0 but West Germany came back to win 3-2. In the semi-final in 1990 the score was 1-1 then West Germany won on penalties.
North Korea took a 3-0 lead over Portugal in the quarter-final of the 1966 World Cup. Then Eusebio scored 4 goals as Portugal came back to win 5-3.
Netherlands has never won the World Cup but lost in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals – in each case to the host country. In 1974 Netherlands had taken the lead before West Germany had touched the ball but the hosts came back to win 2-1. In 1978 in the 89th minute of the final at 1-1 Rob Rensenbrenk’s shot hit a post. The game went into extra time and Argentina won 3-1.
Hungary were favourites for the World Cup in 1954 but were beaten 3-2 in the final by West Germany. Hungary started well and took a 2-0 lead before the Germans got two goals. As Hungary pressed, the German keeper, Turek, was in inspired form. Then Germany scored with seven minutes to go. Puskas seemed to have equalized for Hungary but the goal was controversially ruled offside.
