The FIFA World Cup has delivered some of the most thrilling comebacks in football history. From stunning turnarounds to last-minute heroics, here’s a look at the greatest World Cup comebacks of all time.
The Most Exciting World Cup Comebacks
Football is a game of passion, unpredictability, and drama. Nowhere is this more evident than in the FIFA World Cup, where the stakes are at their highest. Over the years, we have witnessed some of the most unforgettable comebacks, proving that no lead is ever safe in football.
Some teams have defied the odds, turning certain defeat into victory, while others have staged heroic fightbacks that left fans in awe. Whether it’s a late equalizer, an extra-time winner, or a miraculous group stage turnaround, the World Cup has given us legendary moments of resilience and determination.
Here, we take a deep dive into the greatest World Cup comebacks of all time.
1. West Germany vs. Hungary (1954 Final) – The Miracle of Bern
🔹 Match: West Germany 3-2 Hungary
🔹 Tournament: 1954 World Cup Final
🔹 Comeback: West Germany came from 2-0 down to win 3-2
One of the greatest upsets in football history, the 1954 World Cup final saw Hungary’s Mighty Magyars—unbeaten for four years—face West Germany.
Hungary started in dominant fashion, taking a 2-0 lead within 8 minutes, thanks to Ferenc Puskás and Zoltán Czibor. But West Germany, against all odds, responded with a stunning comeback, equalizing within 10 minutes and scoring the winning goal in the 84th minute through Helmut Rahn.
🔹 Why It Was Special:
This victory became known as the “Miracle of Bern”, as an unfancied West Germany defeated the strongest team in the world to win their first World Cup.
2. Portugal vs. North Korea (1966) – Eusebio’s Heroics
🔹 Match: Portugal 5-3 North Korea
🔹 Tournament: 1966 World Cup Quarter-finals
🔹 Comeback: Portugal overturned a 3-0 deficit to win 5-3
Portugal’s 1966 World Cup campaign looked set to end in disaster when they fell 3-0 behind against North Korea in just 25 minutes. However, what followed was one of the greatest individual performances in World Cup history.
Eusebio, Portugal’s star forward, scored four goals, leading his team to an unbelievable 5-3 comeback victory. This match remains one of the greatest turnarounds in World Cup knockout stage history.
🔹 Why It Was Special:
Eusebio’s brilliance inspired Portugal to their best-ever World Cup finish, reaching the semi-finals.
3. Italy vs. Brazil (1982) – Paolo Rossi’s Redemption
🔹 Match: Italy 3-2 Brazil
🔹 Tournament: 1982 World Cup Quarter-finals
🔹 Comeback: Italy took the lead three times and held on to eliminate tournament favorites Brazil
Brazil’s 1982 squad is considered one of the greatest teams never to win the World Cup. With Zico, Socrates, and Falcão, they played attacking football at its finest. However, Italy, led by Paolo Rossi, refused to give up.
Italy took the lead three times, and Brazil equalized twice, but Rossi’s hat-trick secured a shocking 3-2 victory, eliminating the tournament favorites.
🔹 Why It Was Special:
Italy went on to win the World Cup, and Paolo Rossi completed one of the greatest redemption arcs, as he had returned from a two-year suspension to become the tournament’s top scorer.
4. Belgium vs. Japan (2018) – Last-Minute Heroics
🔹 Match: Belgium 3-2 Japan
🔹 Tournament: 2018 World Cup Round of 16
🔹 Comeback: Belgium overturned a 2-0 deficit to win in the last minute
Japan stunned Belgium by taking a 2-0 lead in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16. It looked like a historic upset was on the cards, but Belgium had other plans.
Goals from Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini brought Belgium level, and in the final seconds of stoppage time, a lightning-fast counterattack saw Nacer Chadli score the winning goal, completing an unbelievable comeback.
🔹 Why It Was Special:
Belgium became the first team in 48 years to win a World Cup knockout match after trailing by two goals.
5. Germany vs. Sweden (2018) – Kroos’ Last-Minute Wondergoal
🔹 Match: Germany 2-1 Sweden
🔹 Tournament: 2018 World Cup Group Stage
🔹 Comeback: Germany scored two late goals after going behind
Germany, the defending champions, were on the brink of elimination after Sweden took a 1-0 lead in a crucial group-stage match. Marco Reus equalized in the second half, but Germany needed a win.
In the 95th minute, Toni Kroos produced an incredible free-kick, curling the ball into the net from an impossible angle to keep Germany’s World Cup hopes alive.
🔹 Why It Was Special:
Kroos’ goal was one of the greatest last-minute winners in World Cup history, showcasing Germany’s resilience.
6. Argentina vs. Mexico (2006) – Maxi Rodriguez’s Extra-Time Stunner
🔹 Match: Argentina 2-1 Mexico
🔹 Tournament: 2006 World Cup Round of 16
🔹 Comeback: Argentina won after trailing early
Mexico took an early 1-0 lead, but Argentina equalized quickly. The match remained tense and went to extra time. In the 98th minute, Maxi Rodriguez controlled a cross with his chest and unleashed a stunning left-footed volley, sending Argentina into the quarter-finals.
🔹 Why It Was Special:
Maxi’s goal remains one of the best in World Cup knockout history.
7. France vs. Argentina (2022) – A Final for the Ages
🔹 Match: France 3-3 Argentina (Argentina won on penalties)
🔹 Tournament: 2022 World Cup Final
🔹 Comeback: France twice fought back from two goals down
The 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France was one of the most dramatic matches ever. Argentina led 2-0 and looked certain to win, but Kylian Mbappé scored twice in two minutes to send the match to extra time.
In extra time, Messi put Argentina ahead, only for Mbappé to equalize again with a penalty. Eventually, Argentina won on penalties, securing Messi’s long-awaited World Cup glory.
🔹 Why It Was Special:
This final had everything—drama, comebacks, and legendary performances.
Conclusion
The FIFA World Cup has given us some of the most thrilling comebacks in football history. These matches prove that football is unpredictable, and no team should ever be counted out.
Which World Cup comeback is your favorite? Keep supporting YE55, because the next great comeback might be just around the corner! ⚽🔥