 Hungary were in their second World 
Cup Final (their 1938 team had lost to Italy 4–2 in Paris); in addition, they had a record of 34 wins, 6 draws, 
and 1 defeat since August 1949, and were unbeaten in their last 31 matches.Hungary had beaten West Germany 
8–3 in a first-round game.The only issue the Hungarians faced was the ankle injury sustained to Puskás in the same game, 
from which he had not fully recovered – Sebes still took the decision to play him.