#4 Hungary – 1954 FIFA World Cup
Hungary no longer feature in discussions about modern football but there was a time, more specifically in the 50s and 60s, when the national team was one of the best sides in international competitions. Back in the 1950s, Hungary were an indomitable force who had been undefeated for five straight years. Beating some of the best sides in the game, they were the favourites going into the 1954 FIFA World Cup.
The Hungarians were dominant in the tournament and looked all set to win the coveted prize as they faced West Germany in the final. They had already met the side in the group stages and defeated them 8-3 so the outcome seemed a foregone conclusion.
But things did not go according to plan. The West Germans made an unexpected comeback drawing level with the opposition and scored the winning goal six short minutes before the final whistle. While many will tell you the rain put the Hungarians at a disadvantage, there will be others who will remind you about the rumours surrounding the German squad and their use of banned substances.
Whatever may have happened all those years ago, Hungary did not go down in history as winners but chokers of gigantic proportion.
