The Greatest Comebacks in World Championship History: Matches You'll Never Forget
The World Cup almost never goes according to plan. Here, favorites can fall apart in ten minutes, underdogs can suddenly believe in a miracle, and a match that seemed over even before halftime turns into the stuff of documentary films.
Yesterday’s comeback in the Argentina–Egypt match was yet another reminder of why the World Cup remains the most emotional soccer tournament on the planet. When one team seems to be in control of the game and the other refuses to accept defeat, moments are born that outlive the tournament itself.
UA News looks back at the greatest comebacks in World Cup history—matches where soccer defied logic, frayed fans’ nerves, and defied experts’ predictions.
Portugal vs. North Korea 5–3: Eusébio’s legendary comeback at the 1966 World Cup
One of the most famous comebacks in World Cup history took place in 1966 in England. The Portuguese national team faced North Korea in the quarterfinals and very quickly found itself in a situation that today would be called a disaster.
The North Koreans scored three goals before the midway point of the first half. The 0–3 score seemed almost like a death sentence. Portugal was the favorite, but everything was falling apart on the field: the defense couldn’t keep up, the opponent played boldly, and the stands could already sense one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
And then Eusébio’s match began. The great striker gradually brought Portugal back to life. He scored four goals, single-handedly turning the game around and transforming a 0–3 deficit into a 5–3 victory. It wasn’t just a comeback—it was a demonstration of how a single player can change the course of a national team’s history.
West Germany vs. England 3–2: How the Germans Came Back from a 0–2 Deficit at the 1970 World Cup
The 1970 World Cup quarterfinal between England and West Germany was a continuation of the great soccer rivalry that began after the 1966 World Cup final. The English were the reigning world champions at the time and once again looked like a team capable of controlling big matches.
After goals by Alan Muller and Martin Peters, England led 2–0. It seemed the team would comfortably see the game through to victory. But against the Germans, such assumptions were always dangerous.
West Germany first cut the deficit thanks to Franz Beckenbauer, then tied the score with a goal by Uwe Seeler. England lost its momentum, confidence, and control. In extra time, Gerd Müller scored the winning goal—3–2.
Austria vs. Switzerland 7–5: The Craziest Match of the 1954 World Cup
The Austria–Switzerland match at the 1954 World Cup is often cited as one of the wildest and highest-scoring games in the tournament’s history. Today, such a score seems almost impossible, but back then, soccer was a much more open game.
Switzerland got off to a fantastic start and took a 3–0 lead. For the tournament hosts, it was a perfect start: quick attacks, opponent mistakes, and complete control over the stadium’s atmosphere. Austria looked flustered.
But by halftime, everything had turned around. The Austrians scored five goals and went into halftime with a 5–4 lead. The match had completely lost all sense of logic: the teams were rushing forward, defense was virtually nonexistent, and every attack could have ended in a goal.
Uruguay — Brazil 2–1: “Maracanazo,” the Comeback That Shook a Nation
The final match of the 1950 World Cup between Brazil and Uruguay was not a final in the modern sense, but it was the match that decided the title. A draw was enough for Brazil; the team was playing at home, and the Maracanã Stadium was packed with people already preparing to celebrate.
After a goal by Frias, Brazil took a 1–0 lead. For most spectators, this was confirmation of the obvious: the World Cup would remain in Rio. But Uruguay didn’t crumble.
First, Juan Sciaffino equalized the score, and then Alcides Ghiga scored a goal that became one of the most painful in the history of Brazilian soccer. Uruguay won 2–1 and claimed the title.
This comeback is significant not only in sporting terms. It became a national trauma for Brazil. “Maracanazo” is still remembered as the day the entire country fell silent. And that is precisely why this match remains one of the most sensational comebacks in World Cup history.
Belgium vs. Japan 3–2: A Comeback in a Single Half at the 2018 World Cup
At the 2018 World Cup, the Belgian national team was considered one of the most talented squads in the tournament. But in the Round of 16 against Japan, the Belgians suddenly found themselves on the brink of elimination.
Japan led 2–0 after goals by Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui. This wasn’t just a fluke: the Japanese played boldly, quickly, and with great discipline. Belgium, on the other hand, looked sluggish, nervous, and unable to find any space.
The turnaround began with a goal by Jan Vertonghen, which came as more of a surprise than a foregone conclusion. Then Marouane Fellaini equalized, and in the final seconds, Belgium launched one of the most beautiful counterattacks in World Cup playoff history. Romelu Lukaku let the ball run through, and Nacer Chadli finished the pass—3–2.
This match has become a modern classic. It showed that even in a game dominated by VAR, tactics, and detailed analysis, there is still room for pure drama.
Italy vs. Nigeria 2–1: How Roberto Baggio Saved the “Squadra Azzurra”
At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, the Italian national team was one of the top contenders for the title. But already in the Round of 16, Arrigo Sacchi’s team found itself just minutes away from a shocking elimination.
Nigeria opened the scoring in the first half thanks to Emmanuel Amunike and confidently held off their opponent’s attacks for nearly the entire game. The situation got even worse for the Italians after Gianfranco Zola was sent off. Down to ten men, they had to fight back against one of the most impressive African teams of that era.
As regulation time was drawing to a close, it seemed that Nigeria’s fairy tale was about to come true. But in the 88th minute, Roberto Baggio stepped up. He equalized the score after a prolonged Italian attack and sent the match into overtime.
In extra time, Baggio became the hero once again. After earning a penalty kick, he coolly beat the goalkeeper and secured Italy’s 2–1 victory.
Many consider this very match to be the moment when Roberto Baggio’s legendary run to the World Cup final began. Without his two goals, Italy would have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Instead, the team reached the tournament’s decisive match, and Baggio himself became a symbol of the Italian spirit and one of the main heroes of the 1994 World Cup.
Cameroon vs. Colombia 2–1: When the Underdog Got Its Chance
At the 1990 World Cup, Cameroon was one of the tournament’s biggest sensations. The African team played with incredible energy, led by 38-year-old Roger Milla—a man who turned every goal into a mini-spectacle.
In the Round of 16 against Colombia, the score remained 0–0 for a long time. It wasn’t a classic comeback from a 0–2 or 0–3 deficit, but in terms of drama, the match deserves a place in history. Colombia was regarded as a technically skilled, flashy team, while Cameroon played the role of the daring underdog.
In extra time, Milla scored twice, including once after a famous mistake by goalkeeper René Higita. Colombia responded with a goal but was unable to salvage the match.
This match was a comeback not in terms of the score, but in terms of status. Cameroon brought an entire continent back into the game, proving that African national teams can not only participate in World Cups but also knock out the favorites.
Croatia vs. England 2–1: A Comeback in the 2018 World Cup Semifinal
The 2018 World Cup semifinal between England and Croatia started almost perfectly for the English. Kieran Trippier quickly scored on a free kick, and Gareth Southgate’s team got exactly the scenario they wanted.
England held a 1–0 lead for a long time, but Croatia gradually began to take control of the game. Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, and Mario Mandžukić didn’t panic. They simply waited for their moment.
Ivan Perišić equalized in the second half, and in extra time, Mandžukić scored the goal that sent Croatia to the World Cup final. For a country with a population of about four million, it was almost a soccer miracle.
This comeback is special because it didn’t happen in the group stage or in the early knockout rounds, but in the semifinals.
West Germany vs. Hungary 3–2: “The Miracle of Bern” at the 1954 World Cup
The 1954 World Cup final between West Germany and Hungary is one of the most famous matches in soccer history. Hungary was a powerhouse at the time: Ferenc Puskás’s team was considered nearly unbeatable.
In the final, the Hungarians quickly took a 2–0 lead. It seemed as though everything was going according to plan. West Germany had already lost to Hungary by a large margin in the same tournament, so few believed the Germans could make a comeback.
But they did. First, they cut the deficit, then they tied the score, and in the second half, Helmut Rahn scored the winning goal. West Germany won 3–2 and became world champions for the first time.
The “Miracle of Bern” was more than just a sports comeback. For postwar Germany, this victory held immense symbolic significance.
Comebacks at the World Cup hold special significance because they don’t take place during a regular club season, where there’s always another round to play. At the World Cup, every match could be the last. That’s why a goal in the 90th minute or a comeback from a 0–2 deficit feels so much more intense.
Such games are remembered for more than just the score. They leave behind vivid images: the stunned stadium in Rio, a frenzied Eusébio, Belgium’s counterattack against Japan, and the Croatian players who, even after an exhausting tournament, still find the strength to push forward.
