Czechoslovakia's 1962 World Cup: Part 2: One Step From Immortality

Facing Hungary in the quarter finals, Czechoslovakia once again were seen as outsiders. The Hungarians didn’t have the stars of the Mighty Magyars like Ferenc Puskás, Sándor Kocsis or Zoltán Czibor (all fleeing Hungary to European clubs after the 1956 Hungarian Revolution), but they still boasted a competitive squad. 

They had a spine of experienced players from the 1958 World Cup - captain Gyula Grosics, defenders Sándor Mátrai, Ferenc Sipos, winger Károly Sándor and forward Lajos Tichy. In addition, Hungary had an exciting young player by the name of Flórián Albert.

The Ferencváros striker already had four goals in the group stages - the winner against England and a hat-trick against Bulgaria. With Tichy also netting three goals, the Hungarian attack simmered with intent in the group stages.