10 things you probably didn't know about the FIFA World Cup

Everything else takes a step back when the FIFA World Cup starts! It is a spectacle that comes every four years to leave us with moments that we can cherish for a lifetime. Every edition has been special in its own way with many countries having the honor of hosting the event, different nations winning the prestigious trophy and of course the story of an emerging underdog every year to overcome all the odds and be the surprise package.Well these are the aspects which honestly we do have an idea about or can expect to happen once again as the tournament hits the samba land of Brazil in the month of June 2014. But what about some of the interesting facts that you may have overlooked? Well, here is a list of 10 things you may not have known about the World Cup.

#1 The largest attendance in a single game

Brazil hosted one of the most unique editions of the World Cup in 1950 as it was the only tournament in which the winner was determined by a final group stage, with the final four teams playing in a round-robin format, instead of a knockout stage.

One of the biggest upsets occured in the final game between Uruguay and Brazil as Uruguay defeated the hosts 2-1 after which the final came to be known as the Maracanazo. But what did bypass your attention was that the final was watched by199,854 people in the Maracana stadium which is the largest crowd to ever attend a World Cup match.

#2 Maximum goals in a single tournament (individual)

During a time dominated by the iconic Brazilian Pele, Just Fontaine won the Golden boot at the1958 World Cup in Sweden by scoring a total of 13 goals in the tournament.

The French striker scored 13 in just six matches which included four against the defending champions West Germany. It is the highest number of goals ever scored by one player at a single World Cup tournament – a record which still stands today.

#3 Was the 1934 World Cup final fixed?

Italy's triumph in 1934 is said to be influenced by military leaders seeking propaganda coups. At the time, fascist dictator Mussolini was in power in Italy. Mussolini decided to have dinner with just the referee and linesman instead of the usual dinner involving players and staff members from both teams on the night before the final.

Italy came out victorious as they defeated Czechoslovakia 2-1. Now you know why.

#4 Longest gap between successive titles

Italy has been one of the most elite nations in the tournament with four World Cups to their credit. The team has always been a major contender to lift the trophy in every tournament they have featured in.

While they won back to back World Cups in 1934 and 1938, the Italians had to wait for a long time for their third title as it took 44 years for them to end their World Cup drought.

That time span between World Cup triumphs for a team is a record.

#5 Most goals in a World Cup game

Do you remember which player has scored the most goals in a single World Cup match? And no, it isn't one of Pele, Maradona, Gerd Muller or Ronaldo.

Oleg Salenko, who represented Russia at the 1994 World Cup finals in USA, scored 5 goals against Cameroon which stands as the record for the most goals by an individual in a World Cup game.

#6 The team with the dirtiest record in World Cups

Argentina has produced some of the most unique and talented footballers in the game. From the legendary Diego Maradona to modern football's icon Lionel Messi, the World Cup stage has always seen some beautiful football from the South American nation.

But Argentina also holds the record for the most number of yellow cards in the competition's history with a total of 64 in 88 games. Not a good feat to remember if you are an Argentina fan.

#7 Scoring goals for both teams

Ernie Brandts played 28 international games for the Netherlands. The defender scored five goals and played in the 1978 World Cup. In a second-round match against Italy, he became the only player in history to score goals for both the teams in the same match in the World Cup finals.

He scored an own goal in the 18th minute, and then scored the equalizer for the Netherlands in the 50th minute. His teammate Arie Haan eventually scored the winning goal, giving the Netherlands a 2–1 win.

#8 The team to finish in the top 3 the most

Germany have been always been a powerhouse in the World Cup finals. They have triumphed on three occasions with their last victory coming in 1990. But in recent times they have been tagged as the chokers of the competition as they have failed to win the competition after coming very close.

On that note, it is obvious that Germany holds the record for most third-place finishes in the tournament, as they have finished in the top 3 11 times.

#9 Scotland has never reached the quarter finals of a World Cup

Considering the modern day game of football was invented in England, it is hard to comprehend that Scotland, one of 4 nations part of the United Kingdom (England, Wales and Northern Ireland being the others) has never made it to the quarter finals of a World Cup.

#10 Game with most goals

At the time, Hungary was one of the best football teams in Europe, and had played in the finals of the 1938 and 1954 World Cups .El Salvador on the other hand was one of the weakest teams in the 1982 tournament.

The fans experienced one of the biggest humiliations in World Cup history as Hungary beat El Salvador 10-1 on June 15,1982 in Elche, Spain, thus recording the biggest scoreline in the tournament finals.