Major Historical Events in Football
1954 – West Germany wins first World Cup (The Miracle of Bern) West Germany defeated Hungary 3–2 in the World Cup final in Bern, overturning a 2–0 deficit. It was one of the greatest upsets in football history and marked Germany’s emergence as a football powerhouse.
1982 – France and West Germany play iconic World Cup semi-final In one of the most dramatic matches in World Cup history, West Germany defeated France on penalties after a 3–3 draw. The match is remembered for its goals, intensity, and Harald Schumacher’s controversial foul on Patrick Battiston.
1998 – Brazil advances to World Cup final Brazil beat the Netherlands on penalties (4–2) after a 1–1 draw in the semi-final of the 1998 World Cup in France. Taffarel’s heroics and Ronaldo’s performance secured Brazil a place in the final.
2004 – Greece stuns Portugal to win Euro 2004 Greece shocked the football world by defeating host nation Portugal 1–0 in the Euro 2004 final. Angelos Charisteas scored the winning goal in a tournament that redefined defensive discipline.
2018 – England wins World Cup penalty shootout for the first time England beat Colombia on penalties (4–3) after a 1–1 draw in the Round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup. It was the first time England had ever won a World Cup shootout.
Notable Football Birthdays – July 4
- Giuseppe Bergomi (1963): Former Inter Milan and Italy defender, part of the 1982 World Cup-winning squad.
- Álvaro Arbeloa (1983): Spanish full-back and part of the golden generation that won Euro 2008, 2012, and World Cup 2010.
- Andrea Barzagli (1981): Key figure in Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning team and a stalwart for Juventus.
- Neil Lennon (1971): Former Celtic midfielder and manager, known for his leadership on and off the pitch.
- Ángelo Henríquez (1994): Chilean forward, formerly with Manchester United and Universidad de Chile.
- Ronnie Stam (1984): Dutch defender who played for Wigan Athletic and FC Twente.
- Stefan Maierhofer (1982): Austrian striker known for his height and physicality.
Memorable Moments
The Miracle of Bern (1954): West Germany’s comeback win over Hungary stunned the football world and symbolized national recovery after World War II.
France vs. Germany drama (1982): A six-goal thriller with two extra-time goals and a penalty shootout. The Schumacher–Battiston incident remains one of the most infamous moments in World Cup history.
Greece’s improbable triumph (2004): From tournament underdogs to champions, Greece’s disciplined performance against Portugal sealed one of the greatest surprises in football history.
England’s shootout breakthrough (2018): Jordan Pickford’s heroics and Eric Dier’s decisive penalty helped England overcome their penalty curse and progress to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Trivia of the Day
Who scored the winning goal in the 2004 Euro final for Greece? Answer: Angelos Charisteas
Quote of the Day
“We always knew we were the underdogs. But sometimes, belief can rewrite history.” — Otto Rehhagel (Greece coach, Euro 2004)