Top Ten Come From Behind Victories At The World Cup

Coming from behind during the knock out stages of the World Cup is almost impossible. The leading team can alter their playing style-and if they are good enough, they can shut down the other team's attacks until the final whistle. Italy has won four World Cups using this strategy.

There are, of course, instances where the likely scenario does not unfold, but rather we get to see one of these rare come from behind victories. The following are ten instances where a team successfully fought from behind to secure victory for their side.

10. 1998 France vs. Croatia

During the 1998 semifinal battle between host France and Croatia, the home team went down early, but quickly evened the score. France eventually scored again to take the lead for good.

After Suker scored for Croatia at the 46 minute mark, France struck back with Lilian Thuram in the 47th. Thuram would score once more in the 69th to put France in their first ever World Cup Final.

9. 1966 Portugal 5 North Korea 3

Less than a week after sending Italy home early, North Korea had to face Portugal in a quarterfinal match during the 1966 World Cup in England.

Already a surprise to still be alive in the field, North Korea continued to shock the world by jumping to a 3-0 lead in the first 25 minutes.

The pace didn't slow down much and Portuguese legend Eusebio netted the first goal for Portugal just two minutes after Korea made it 3-0. He brought the score to 3-2 after converting on a penalty kick in the 43rd minute.

13 minutes into the second half, Portugal was able to take the lead after Euzebio finished off his hat trick in the 56th minute and added one more from the penalty spot three minutes later.

Portugal would add one more goal at the 80th minute to put themselves into their first ever World Cup semifinal, which they would lose to host England.

8. 1958 Brazil 5 Sweden 2

Brazil was ready to atone for their defeat at home in the final of the 1950 World Cup. To do so, they would need to beat host Sweden and conquer their first world title.

A young 17 year-old by the name of Pele was poised to deliver on a promise he had made to his father eight years prior when he was just a nine year-old boy. Pele recounted the tale when he and his father were listening to the 1950 Final between Brazil and Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro. It was the only time he had ever-and would ever-see his father cry. Bewildered, Pele asked his father to please not cry; Pele would one day win a World Cup for his father and Brazil.

1958 was his first chance to come through. “Oh no this can’t be happening again,” he would later be quoted after a 4th minute goal put Sweden up. Thankfully for Pele and Brazil, he was right: it wouldn’t happen to them again. Vava put Brazil level in the 9th minute and up one in the before the half. Pele would write his name in the history books as well, netting twice for Brazil in the 55th and 90th minutes. Sweden scored again, but Brazil had a 5-2 at that point. Zagallo had also scored for Brazil in the 69th minute.

The boy king was carried off the field crying after the final whistle. The entire squad was showered with applause from the mostly Swedish crowd.

7. 1974 Germany 2 Holland 1

Holland got off to a roaring start during their first ever World Cup Final, scoring from the penalty spot just two minutes into the match versus host nation Germany. The Germans were looking to avenge their loss to England at the 1966 final, but it didn't look too bright for the fans.

In the 25th minute, Germany scored on its own penalty kick. They would later take the lead just short of halftime.

The second half saw no scoring and Germany would lift it’s second ever World Cup and the first won on home soil.

6. 2002 Brazil 2 England 1

When these two squads took the pitch for their quarterfinal match, it was popular belief that the winner would go on to become champions.

The match didn't start too well for Brazil when Michael Owen scored from a ball that took a bad bounce off of Lucio's leg. Rivaldo's left footed strike from inside the box leveled the match at the half.

Brazil still felt the loss to France in the 1998 final and it didn't look good for the Selecao, even with the score tied. However, just five minutes into the second half, Ronaldinho placed a ball that was meant as a cross over David Seaman's head and into the top corner. The kick was from about 50 yards out and was in a clear crossing position, but I guess Seamen already knew that was going to be the play right?

Brazil would go on to beat Turkey in the semifinals and eventually down Germany 2-0 in the final to secure its record fifth World Cup.

5. 1970 Italy 4 Germany 3

This 1970 semifinal became known as the "Game of the Century" and is often regarded as the best match ever played. The Italians seemed to be a lock to make it to the final after scoring early and holding on to a 1-0 lead after 90 minutes. During injury time, Karl-Heinz Schnellinger was able to level the score for Germany at 1-1.

After just four minutes of extra time, Germany put itself ahead when Mueller scored his first of two goals. The Italians did not falter and were able to level the match once more at 2-2 with a score in the 98th. Just before the end of the first 15 minutes of extra time, Italy reversed the score yet again and went ahead 3-2.

Never the quitters, Germany saw Muller notch his second to tie the match at 3, but it was to no avail. The Italians were able to retake the lead for good just one minute after Muller scored.

Italy would win this match but lose pretty bad to Pele and Brazil 4-1 in the final.

4. 1966 England 4 Germany 2

1966 was England's turn to host the World Cup. As expected, confidence in the home team was high. They knew this was the best chance they've ever had to win their first cup.

Much like the two previous wars these nations fought in the 20th century, Germany struck first with a goal at the 12 minute mark. However, England would not be down long, eventually scoring to tie the match six minutes later.

England would take the lead in the 78th minute with a goal from Peters. England looked certain to secure the championship, but Germany had other ideas. They leveled the match once more at 2-2 with a goal in the 89th minute of the match.

Germany was no match during extra time as Hurst completed a hat trick with goals in the 101st and 120th minutes for England's lone World Cup to date.

3. 1954 Germany 3 Hungary 2

The Miracle of Berne, as it became known in Germany, was the final of the 1954 FIFA World Cup between Germany and Hungary.

Hungary were the heavy favorites, having been undefeated in their 32 previous matches, a steak that spanned five years. They had also become the first non UK team to beat England at Wembley, doing so twice (6-3, and once again just prior to the cup, 7-1).

The 1954 final appeared to be playing out as expected when Hungary took the lead on an early 6th minute goal and added to it with a goal in the 8th minute. Germany, finally at the front of the world's stage after WWII, responded with an equalizer at the 18th minute. A late goal in the 84th gave Germany a 3-2 lead and their first ever World Cup title in "The Miracle of Berne."

2. 1934 Italy 2 Czechoslovakia 1

Italy was the first European country to host the World Cup, and much like their counterpart, host Uruguay, had done four years earlier, they intended to take advantage of the home crowd.

1934 was a tumultuous time for Europe and Italy especially. Mussolini was demanding victory for his fascist regime. The ending didn't look too bright for Italy when Czechoslovakia opened the scoring in the 76th minute.

Italy, however, managed to score in the 81st minute and score again after five minutes of extra time for their first of four World Cup titles.

1. 1950 Uruguay 2 Brazil 1

Uruguay had won the first edition of the World Cup back in 1930, but had not been back until this one 20 years later. Playing South American rivals Brazil, who were hosting the tournament in a loaded Maracanã packed with an official attendance of 173,000+ (actual correct number closer to 210,000+), Uruguay completed the biggest come-from-behind victory in the history of football.

Brazil had scored 13 goals in its previous two matches and were sure to secure their first trophy-only needing a tie versus Uruguay (the 1950 World Cup was decided with a "final group" and the Brazil Uruguay match just turned out to be for the title.

Brazil took the lead just after halftime, but saw Uruguay level at the 66th minute. With just ten minutes left, Uruguay scored as the crowd of near 200,000 fell silent. So unexpected was this defeat that more than a few fans committed suicide by throwing themselves off the second level of the stands. The players on Brazil's side became vilified nationally. Many never again dressed for the national side. The hate was so strong that Brazil would never again weare white shirts, as was the custom until the final.

This may be the most significant event in the history of the World Cup. Because of this match, we have today the greatest ever in Pele (whose promise to avenge this loss was one of the starting points of his legendary career). The game became known as the Maracanazo and is the single worst moment in Brazil's glorious footballing history.