The Miracle of Bern 1954

Lore & Background

The match, played at Wankdorf Stadium, is legendary in football history. The stadium had been rebuilt for the 1954 FIFA World Cup with a capacity of 64,000 spectators. The German team's victory over the Hungarians made the stadium an icon of football history.

In Their Own Story

The rain lashed down on the Wankdorf Stadium, turning the pitch into a quagmire. The Hungarian players, slick-haired and confident, looked out at the German defense with disdain. But as the whistle blew for extra time, the mud seemed to weigh heavier on the Magyars' boots than on the Germans'. When Rahn finally struck the ball past the Hungarian keeper, the stadium erupted in a sound unlike any other—a mix of disbelief and jubilation that echoed across the Alps.

Reader's Guide

The source article does not specify who scored the goals in the match. It only states that the German team won 3–2 against the Hungarians.

Did You Know?

• Wankdorf Stadium was originally built in 1925 and demolished in 2001.
• The stadium also hosted the 1961 European Cup final, where Benfica beat Barcelona 3–2.
• The final blasting of the old stadium occurred on 3 August 2001.