Top 10 World Cup Games

Has there ever been a more romantic story than that of North Korea’s odyssey in 1966? The unknowns from the Hermit Kingdom had already sent the Italians packing (the Azurri were subjected to a flurry of tomatoes upon landing home) and had the audacity to take a three goal lead in the quarter-final against Eusebio’s Portugal. Pak Seung Jin opened the scoring in the first minute; 25 minutes later, Lee Dong Woon and Yang Seung Kook served notice to the world that North Korea weren’t to be taken lightly. But then Eusebio, the “Black Pearl” from Portugal’s southern African colony of Mozambique, emerged from his shell and Portugal were back in business. He proceeded to score the game’s next four goals and José Augusto’s header sealed the game. As the Times of London’s match report noted, “It was Eusebio alone, with his sixth sense for popping up exactly where he is most needed, and his immense flair for seizing the fleeting chance, who finally restored their fortunes.”

See rare pictures from inside North Korea.