So Began the Lesson

Unbeaten in ninety years at Wembley stadium England prepared to face their greatest task. For appearing from behind the dark veil of the Iron Curtain were Hungary. An invitation for the Hungarians off Sir Stanley Rous was accepted with thanks and they arrived in London desperate for the English scalp.

Whispers in the West circulated endlessly of footballers unlike any the world had ever seen. Hungarian supermen, ferociously powerful, tall as giants and swift as the wind. But with no substantial evidence such talk was deemed mere rumours.

Yet in grainy, Pathe news footage occasionally aired to Western cinema audiences of a downtrodden Hungary, there flashed ever-so fleetingly a mysterious striking dash of red on screen. Safe in splendid isolation the Hungarians made ready their plans. Then came the 'Match of the Century'.

An unhealthy over confidence in the home side showed itself in the tunnel when England's Captain Billy Wright noticed the opponent's unusual low cut boots.
'We are going to be all right here Stan', commented Wright to Stan Mortensen. 'They have not even got any proper kit'!

Seconds before the game began Hungary's number ten Ferenc Puskas caused gasps from the 100,000 Wembley crowd with a bewildering display of ball juggling. There was much mirth amongst the England players at the sight of Puskas. This tubby, little fellow with oily plastered hair hardly fitted the profile of superhuman Communist footballer.

One minute played and smiles were literally wiped off English faces when a swift bout of one touch passing, saw Hungary's number nine Nandor Hidegkuti side-step a tackle to let fly a blistering shot from twenty five yards that screamed past goalkeeper Gil Merrick.

It was akin to walking into a party and knocking out the host! Never had such warm hospitality been extended, only to have it thrown back in in such cruel manner. So began the lesson as Puskas, Czibor, Hidegkuti and Bozsik unleashed hell.

Six goals later there was a new Hungarian dawn.

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