The FIFA World Cup semifinals include the four best teams in the world playing for a place in the biggest game in soccer. For the semifinal teams, World Cup glory is just two games away. These were a few of the enthralling semifinals played in the World Cup.
West Germany made it to the semifinals of the 1970 FIFA World Cup after a fine comeback against England in the quarter-finals. In the semifinals, they played a rock-solid Italy team that gave little away at the back. They played at the Azteca Stadium, packed to the rafters for this semifinal with more than 100,000 fans in attendance.
The crowd certainly picked a great soccer game to turn out for! In the first half, the Italians took an early lead with a strike from outside the penalty box. They remained 1–0 up for almost the rest of the match until a last-minute German equalizer ensured the game went to extra time.
What might have otherwise been a somewhat inconspicuous semifinal became the Match of the Century during the extra-time period. In the first half of extra time, Muller put the Germans in front for the first time. A few minutes later, the Italians equalized, and Riva put the Italians in front to make the score 3–2.
In the latter half of the extra-time period, the flood of goals continued. Muller headed the ball in from close range to make the score 3–3. Barely a minute later, the ball was played in from the left of Germany’s penalty box for Rivera to slot home with a low strike. That made the final score Italy 4 Germany 3, and the Italians celebrated a glorious victory.
When Brazil played France in the 1958 World Cup semifinals, the stage was set for the then-somewhat unknown Pele. Pele was one of the outstanding players in Brazil’s team, but France also had some terrific forwards, such as the prolific Fontaine, who was scoring goals in every World Cup game. Both players would have some impact on this game.
Brazil made an explosive start and opened the scoring within the first couple of minutes. Their attacking dazzle began to dampen after Fontaine equalized for France. Shortly before half-time, Brazil regained the lead, and the first half ended with the scoreline at 2–1.
The game was effectively won shortly after the interval when Pele scored with a tap-in. After that goal, France caved in, and Pele scored a second later in the half. With little more than 15 minutes to go, Brazil continued to press forward, and the ball was played to Pele, who volleyed it into the back of France’s net from the edge of the box. It was a historic hat-trick that made the score 5–1, but France scored an additional late goal to end the game 5–2. Brazil’s attacking verve and the majestic Pele had swept France aside.
France played West Germany in the 1982 FIFA World Cup semifinals. This semifinal encounter was perhaps one of the most exciting World Cup games ever played. In the first half, the Germans went a goal up with a strike from the edge of the penalty box, but France struck back when Platini scored from the penalty spot.
The game remained 1–1 until the end of the regular 90 minutes. A thrilling extra-time period followed. France went in front with a fantastic volley that sent the ball flying into the back of Germany’s net. They extended their lead with a fine strike from the edge of Germany’s penalty box that sent the ball flying into the net.
All of a sudden, France were 3–1 up, but you can never rule out the Germans. Minutes after France’s third goal, they pulled one back to make the score 3–2. With little more than 10 minutes to play, the Germans equalized to take the game to a penalty shoot-out. During the shoot-out, West Germany emerged victorious.
Hungary was the red-hot favorite for the 1954 FIFA World Cup. This was a team that included the majestic Puskas and Kocsis up front. Their forwards scored a glut of goals in the group stage against teams such as West Germany, whom they beat 8–3. In the semifinals, they played the defending champions, Uruguay.
Both teams provided a marvelous World Cup semifinal in a rain-soaked Stade Olympique de la Pontaise. Shortly before the quarter-hour mark, Hungary took the lead. The first half ended with Hungary leading the game by a single goal.
In the second half, they further extended their lead when Hidegkuti headed the ball into Uruguay’s net. Uruguay was not defeated and pulled a goal back with about 15 minutes to go. Shortly before the end of the game, Uruguay equalized. Consequently, the game went to extra time. Then, the Hungarians broke the deadlock in the final 10 minutes. Kocsis scored twice to seal victory for Hungary and a place in the World Cup final.
Those games were among the most exciting FIFA World Cup semifinals. With the teams putting on terrific attacking displays, the games featured plenty of goals. Let’s hope we see another classic semifinal like those in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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