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How the most anticipated World Cup match ever became one of its most infamous: The story about the Battle of Berne 馃У
What was supposed to be a meeting between two of the world's greatest teams divulged into what one coach described as "a battle; a brutal, savage match".
Let's rewind:
Switzerland, 1954: Brazil and Hungary met in the World Cup quarter-final.
Both teams were amongst the top football nations at the time and the stage was set for an instant classic.
With Hungary leading 2-1 at the break, they were awarded a penalty kick in the beginning of the second half that caused absolute chaos.
Brazilian journalists and officials stormed the field in protest of the referee's decision.
Even police were needed to usher them off the pitch.
The game was derailed by an increasing number of violent fouls and tactics.
Shortly after Brazil's second goal to make it 3-2, Brazilian defender Nilton Santos fouled Hungary's J贸zsef Bozsik. The two men started fighting and both were sent off.
Hungary scored a fourth goal to seal victory before the final whistle, but the war wasn't over.
Brazilian forward Humberto Tozzi kicked Hungary's Gyula L贸r谩nt before full time and was sent off.
In total, 42 free kicks and 2 penalties were awarded, with 4 cautions and 3 dismissals issued.
The bad blood boiled over afterwards with Brazilian players invading the Hungarian locker room enraged.
The Hungarian AVH police had to clear the pitch of players fighting by drawing guns and batons to stop the madness.
British referee Arthur Ellis shared his thoughts:
"I thought it was going to be the greatest game I'd ever see. I was on top of the world. Whether politics and religion had something to do with it I don't know, but they behaved like animals.
In today's climate so many players would have been sent off the game would have been abandoned. My only thought was that I was determined to finish it."
Hungary finished 2nd in the tournament but haven't qualified for the World Cup since 1986.
Brazil won their first trophy in 1958 and have the most World Cup wins ever with five.
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