World Cup 1966 revisited: Eusébio masterclass powers Portugal to miraculous comeback | OneFootball

Portugal are well on their way to play their seventh consecutive World Cup. Before 2002, they had only played the tournament twice. Between now and next summer’s bash in USA, Canada and Mexico, PortuGOAL will be publishing a series that recalls an iconic match from each of the eight World Cup editions in which the Seleção took part.

Miguel Lourenço Pereira brings you memories of incredible triumphs, despairing defeats or emotional drama, in a pure reflection of the relationship between the Portuguese national side and the world’s biggest sporting event.

Only a magical Eusébio display saved Portugal from certain defeat against North Korea

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Suddenly Bobby Charlton lifted his head up and took a look at the scoreboard. The old Wembley ground usually displayed the different match results that were taking place at the same time. The England number 10 looked in disbelief. There it was: North Korea 3-0 Portugal.

Surely they’ve got it the wrong way round, he quickly informed his teammate Nobby Stiles. That can’t be right. Only twenty-five minutes had passed since the hosts had kicked off their match against Argentina at Wembley, at the same time as the Portuguese clash against a surprising Korean side. If the match remained stale in London, in Liverpool everyone was as surprised as the Ballon d’Or winner that year Charlton. They would be even more surprised once the game ended.

Inexperienced but considered dark horses

The Portugal squad stayed at The Stanneylands Hotel in Wilmslow, Cheshire, during the 1966 World Cup

Portugal arrived at the 1966 World Cup in a confusing situation from the supporters’ and bookmakers’ perspectives alike. It was the first time the Portuguese would take part in a World Cup, with the 1928 Olympics as their last appearance at a big international event. Eight editions had been played since the inaugural 1930 tournament, and they were finally among the world’s elite, but even with a lack of experience, few wrote off their chances. In fact, for some they looked very much like potential underdogs. The reason was Eusébio, one of the world’s biggest stars, and a side that included much of the Benfica squad that had won back-to-back European Cups in 1961 and 1962 and played two more finals in the following years.

The Sporting-based defensive line had also clinched the Cup Winners Cup trophy, so despite the national side’s lack of experience, the players were amongst the very best in the world, and many were household names. They had also beaten Czechoslovakia in the qualifying rounds, and the Czechs had been finalists in the 1962 World Cup, losing to a Garrincha-inspired Brazil. Bookmakers initially had Portugal in sixth place on their list of potential winners, ranking below Brazil and England, the two favourites, and then Spain, winners of the most recent European Championship, West Germany and Argentina.

Hungary and Bulgaria put to the sword

The problem was, Portugal had just been drawn into the group of death if ever there was one. They were due to face not only two-time reigning champions Brazil but also Hungary, who had finished third in the last Euro and were renowned international royalty, and Bulgaria. The side coached by Brazilian Otto Gloria, the man responsible for planting the seed of Benfica’s later international success, arrived unpretentiously but hoping they had what it took to pull off an upset. They had to beat Hungary in the opening round to stand a chance of qualifying for the last eight, and they did just that, scoring three goals against the Magyars, who only got one back. José Augusto’s brace and a late Torres goal caught everyone’s attention as the Hungarian side fielded the likes of Florian Albert and Bene, the scorer that afternoon, two world-class names in their ranks.

Staying at Old Trafford for the second group match, the Portuguese then beat Bulgaria 3-0 with Eusébio scoring his first goal of the tournament. Since Brazil had beaten Bulgaria on the opening day but then proceeded to lose against Hungary in the following match, everything was wide open for the final day. Portugal needed only a draw to top the group, but a defeat against Brazil and a Hungarian win, depending on the goal difference, would send them home early.

Portugal’s starting XI at the 1966 World Cup. Back row left to right: Baptista, Jaime Graça, Hilário, Vicente, Morais, José Pereira. Front row left to right: José Augusto, Torres, Eusébio, Mário Coluna, António Simões

Eusébio versus Pelé

Goodison Park was crowded for a titanic clash between Pelé and Eusébio, but the Brazilian superstar, already limping from an injury sustained against the Bulgarians, was man-marked out of the game by Vicente and Morais, Portugal’s centre-backs. With Garrincha sidelined, Brazil looked hapless, and Eusébio played a memorable match, scoring twice past Manga after a brilliant Simões opener. It was Portugal’s greatest international victory and the first time the title holders were sent home in the first round.

It also guaranteed that, for those who had bet on Portugal to perform above expectations, their faith was being paid back handsomely. While everyone expected the Magriços as they were nicknamed to face Italy in the last eight, a surprise North Korea win in the final match of their group resulted in a tie between two newcomers to decide who would move on to the semi-finals. With Goodison Park again serving as the venue, many expected the Portuguese to handle the opposition without much of a fuss. They were in for a surprise.

One! Two! Three! Portugal stunned by whirlwind Korean start

The match played on 23 July had more than 40,000 spectators in the stands, and many had not yet entered the ground when the Koreans scored their first of the afternoon. Pak Doo-Ik moved swiftly past the Portuguese defence and slid the ball to Park Seung-Zin, who was unmarked and slashed in a shot to beat José Pereira. Twenty minutes later, with Portugal having more of the ball but unable to find space in behind the compact Korean defensive line, with shots often deflected or stopped by Lee Chang-Myung, came a second goal. A speedy counter on the right, with Pak Doo-Ik once again providing the cross, found Han Bong-Zin on the left. He quickly crossed the ball back into the box and Li Dong-Woon came out of nowhere, unopposed, and simply tapped it in while Pereira looked on in despair at his teammates. A third goal came in quick succession, now with Yang Seung-Kook scoring after a rebound.

Eusébio bangs in his first goal and the comeback has begun

The Portuguese defensive performance was disappointing, and the crowd seemed to be enjoying the surprise result, celebrating each Korean goal passionately. Nobody had ever come back from a three-goal deficit in a World Cup knock-out stage match. But nobody had played against a super-charged Eusébio in such circumstances either.

Eusébio on a mission

The Portuguese striker was on a mission. Two early attempts on goal had already been denied by Chang-Myung, but while many despaired, he remained calm. In Portugal, many recall storming out after the Koreans’ third goal, unwilling to keep on listening to the radio or watching on television to what seemed to be the makings of a thrashing of epic proportions. They missed one of the most epic comebacks in the history of football.

A minute after Seung-Kook’s goal, Portugal got one back. Augusto sent a ball through, and Eusébio flicked his right foot to smash it into the net. Just before half time, he got another. Torres was violently fouled from behind as he was free to score and limped off the pitch. While attended by the medical staff, Eusébio fired the ball past Myung, with Torres famously raising his arms from the sidelines. Like with the previous goal, there was no time for celebrations, and Eusébio ran into the net to grab the ball. It was to no avail as half time was seconds away.

Dressing room dressing-down

In the dressing room, the Portuguese were berated by the manager, who was quick to point out how the Koreans seemed physically exhausted and were now forcing themselves into a more physical clash, one that they could not win. Still, the first ten minutes of the second half were uneventful, with the Asian side progressively entrenching themselves around their goal and waiting for a chance to counter and hurt the feeble Portuguese defence once again.

The North Koreans had no other resort but to foul Eusébio to try and stop him

Eusébio had to come to the rescue once more, and in three minutes he completed the remarkable turnaround. In the 56th minute, the Benfica striker blasted a shot into the net after a brilliant Jaime Graça pass on the right, and this time he found the strength to celebrate. Three minutes later, he cavalcaded from the left to be fouled not once, not twice, but three times, by Korean defenders. The third was already well inside the box, and the Israeli referee Menachem Ashkenazi had no other option than to point to the spot. The Mozambique-born centre-forward was in visible pain, but he still decided to take the responsibility of netting his fourth of the afternoon. Quietly, after composing his socks, he shot into the top left corner, and Portugal was finally in front for the first time.

Historic achievement

With an hour of the match on the clock, only thirty-three minutes after he netted his first goal, Eusébio had just signed off on one of the most scintillating individual displays in the history of football. A performance worthy of rivalling Diego Maradona’s decisive dribbles and goals against England and Belgium in 1986, Garrincha’s mesmerising displays in 1962 or Lionel Messi’s dazzling performances in 2022. It was an afternoon for the ages.

José Augusto scored a fifth and final goal after a Eusébio cross that Torres smoothly assisted with a powerful header to the heart of the box, where the Benfica winger appeared unmarked to put his name on the scoresheet. Only ten minutes remained on the clock, but the North Korean players were already completely shattered, both physically and emotionally. Against any other side in the tournament, they would have achieved a memorable win that afternoon, and people would still be talking about them today. Eusébio was the only one able to prevent it and did it masterfully.

Venue switch, Eusébio’s tears

Portugal booked a place in the semis, and with England progressing after a tumultuous affair against Argentina, controversy struck. The match was scheduled to be played in Liverpool, with Portugal having the right to serve as hosts, but at the last minute, FIFA acquiesced to the Football Association’s request to move the match to Wembley. Nobody knew whether or not the Portuguese Federation had been consulted.

Eusébio could not hold back the tears at Wembley after the semi-final defeat against England

It meant that the Portuguese and not the hosts were forced to travel by train to their destination, losing a day’s rest. The immense display against the Asians had taken its toll, and playing in front of a passionate crowd at Wembley did Portugal no favours. England were the best side that afternoon and won 2-1, with Eusébio scoring a consolation goal before succumbing to tears of despair once the match was done.

Eusébio consecrated as one of the all-time greats

He would net a last goal in the third/fourth place match against the Soviet Union, scoring against Lev Yashin to confirm Portugal’s bronze medal, their best result to this day, and leaving Eusébio with the Golden Boot having netted nine goals in the tournament. Since then Portugal have played in another World Cup semi-final, in 2006, and in two European Championship finals (losing one as hosts in 2004 and winning one by beating the hosts in 2016), but few moments are as indelibly inscribed in Portuguese football folklore as that hot July afternoon in Liverpool. The day Eusébio proved to be much more than just a very talented footballer. The day he joined the Olympian Gods of sport.