Battle of Berne (1954 FIFA World Cup)

Brazil had scored six goals in two group games, and Hungary had scored 17. Brazil had a reputation for attractive and attacking football; in their group games, they beat Mexico 5–0, and drew the other 1–1 with Yugoslavia after extra time. Yugoslavia had beaten France 1–0 in their other group game, which meant that both Brazil and Yugoslavia were equal on points in their group. Goal difference was not used to decide who finished top of the group; instead, lots were drawn, with Brazil being elected group winners. Hungary had revolutionized football tactics and coaching in Europe. Their fluid and open style of play – an early form of total football – meant that they were unbeaten for the previous 4 years. Hungary were clear winners of their group, winning both of their group games – they beat South Korea 9–0, and West Germany 8–3.

The match was played in driving rain, producing slippery conditions and a hard to control ball. Hungary took the lead in the third minute, with Nándor Hidegkuti scoring. Four minutes later, Sándor Kocsis made it 2–0 to Hungary. Brazil was awarded a penalty; Djalma Santos scored to make it 2–1 at half time.

In the second half, Hungary was awarded a penalty; Mihály Lantos scored to make the score 3–1. The penalty award was the cue for a pitch invasion by Brazilian journalists and officials, who had to be ushered off by police. The game then degenerated into a series of increasingly violent fouls and cynical tactics, with Brazilian forward Julinho somehow scoring to bring the score to 3–2. After this, József Bozsik was fouled by Nilton Santos; the two men started fighting, and both were sent off. Hungary scored a fourth goal via Sándor Kocsis to make the score 4–2 to Hungary. The last moments of the game was little more than a running battle between the two teams; Brazilian forward Humberto Tozzi kicked Hungary's Gyula Lorant prior to the final whistle and was sent off.

In total, 42 free kicks and 2 penalties were awarded, with 4 cautions and 3 dismissals issued.[1]

The ill-temper continued after the game, with the Brazilian players invading the Hungarian dressing room and continuing the on-pitch fighting. Despite evidence from independent witnesses of violent conduct from both sides, football's governing body FIFA did nothing, leaving discipline to the respective countries.

The game's referee Arthur Ellis commented: "I thought it was going to be the greatest game I'd ever see. I was on top of the world. Whether politics and religion had something to do with it I don't know, but they behaved like animals. It was a disgrace. It was a horrible match. In today's climate so many players would have been sent off the game would have been abandoned. My only thought was that I was determined to finish it."[2]

The Times newspaper correspondent on 28 June 1954 drew a similar conclusion; "Never in my life have I seen such cruel tackling, the cutting down of opponents as if with a scythe, followed by threatening attitudes and sly jabs when officialdom was engaged elsewhere."[3]

"This was a battle; a brutal, savage match," recalled Hungary manager Gustav Sebes, who needed four stitches for a facial wound received during the fighting. "At the end we had won 4–2 but it wasn't over yet. Brazilian photographers and fans flooded on to the pitch and police were called to clear it. Players clashed in the tunnel and a small war broke out in the corridor to the dressing rooms - everyone was having a go; fans, players and officials."[4]

The "Battle of Berne" in theoretical abstract terms, was one of the highest ranked contests of the 20th century according to the Elo rating system in men's senior international competition.

Rank	Combined points	Nation 1	Elo 1	Nation 2	Elo 2	Score	Date	Occasion	Location
1	4211	Netherlands	2100	Spain	2111	0 : 1	2010-07-11	World Cup F	Johannesburg
2	4161	West Germany	1995	Hungary	2166	3 : 2	1954-07-04	World Cup F	Bern
3	4157	Netherlands	2050	Brazil	2107	2 : 1	2010-07-02	World Cup QF	Port Elizabeth
4	4148	West Germany	2068	Brazil	2080	0 : 1	1973-06-16	Friendly	Berlin
5	4129	Spain	2085	Germany	2044	1 : 0	2010-07-07	World Cup SF	Durban
6	4119	Brazil	2050	West Germany	2069	1 : 0	1982-03-21	Friendly	Rio de Janeiro
7	4118	Hungary	2108	Brazil	2010	4 : 2	1954-06-27	World Cup QF	Bern
8	4116	Hungary	2141	Uruguay	1975	4 : 2	1954-06-30	World Cup SF	Lausanne
9	4113	West Germany	2079	Netherlands	2034	2 : 1	1974-07-07	World Cup F	Munich
10	4108	Brazil	2015	West Germany	2093	1 : 1	1977-06-12	Friendly	Rio de Janeiro

• Battle of Bordeaux
• Battle of Bramall Lane
• Battle of Highbury
• Battle of Nuremberg
• Battle of Santiago

• Terry Crouch: The World Cup, The Complete History (2002)

• Teams and Goalscorers