Amazing re-entries in FIFA World Cup: Greatest sensational comebacks in World Cup history
Austria and Portugal equally represented the greatest comeback cases in World Cup history. Both these teams won from three goals down. In 1954, Austria defeated Switzerland 7-5, and in 1966, Eusebio created history in the Portugal ring. Also, FIFA mentions that West Germany, England and Belgium are among the teams that won after two goals down. The 'comeback' victory in the 6th game of the first seven World Cup finals was worth it.
FIFA has released an interesting article on the sensational comebacks in the history of the World Cup, mentioning daily special statistics for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In particular, the 1954 and 1966 quarter-final matches were mentioned. In the 1954 Switzerland-Lausanne match, Switzerland took a three-goal lead within 20 minutes. However, Austria provided strong opposition and registered an impressive 7-5 victory. This is the highest scoring match in the history of the World Cup.
Also in 1966, where Portugal were three goals behind to a North Korean side, the legendary Eusebio produced a brilliant performance in a 5-3 win. Big re-entries like these have earned a special place in the World Cup sequence.
Also, West Germany's 1954 final against Hungary, England's comeback in 1970 and Belgium's victory over Japan in 2018 stand out in the list of teams that have come from behind.
According to statistics, six of the first seven World Cup finals were upset victories: Uruguay over Argentina in 1930, Italy over Czechoslovakia in 1934, West Germany over Hungary in 1954, Brazil in 1958 & 1962 respectively, and England over West Germany in 1966.
Like this, the big twists and comebacks in the history of the World Cup have always impressed the fans.
