It was a foregone conclusion. Hungary would lift the Jules Rimet Trophy. After all, Hungary was Olympic champion, unbeaten in four years, and had in Ferenc Puskas the most feared player in the world. And Hungary also defeated West Germany 8-3 earlier in the tournament. Instead, the West Germans came back from two goals down to beat the "Magical Magyars" with a goal from Helmut Rahn six minutes from time in a match that was dubbed "The Miracle of Bern."
On U.S. Independence Day in 1994, the host took on Brazil in the round of 16. Brazil wasn't its usual fluid self even before left back Leonardo was sent off in the 43rd minute for elbowing Tab Ramos. Eventually, though, the tournament's best strike partnership provided the American's undoing — Romario's precision pass to Bebeto was calmly dispatched to keep Brazil on course for its first World Cup triumph since 1970. For the U.S., it was a damp end to a tournament it hosted.
(AP)