Five memorable WC semi-finals

PARIS, July 7 (AFP): The World Cup semi-finals start Tuesday. Here are five that have already left a mark on football history:
1954: Hungary 4 Uruguay 2
Regarded as one of the greatest ever World Cup games, Hungary, who destroyed West Germany 8-3 in the group stage, went 2-0 up against the Uruguayan defending champioins and looked destined for the final. But the South Americans fought back through a Juan Hohlberg double to take the match into extra-time. Two headers from Sandor Kocsis, who was to score 11 times in the tournament, gave the Hungarians a 4-2 win.
1966: England 2 Portugal 1
Portugal, inspired by the 'Black Panther' Eusebio, had lit up the tournament and fancied their chances against England. Two Bobby Charlton goals gave the hosts a 2-0 lead going into the final 10 minutes however. Eusebio, thwarted by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks throughout the game, buried a penalty in the 83rd minute that was the first goal the English had conceded in the finals. Despite huge late pressure, England held out.
1970: Italy 4 West Germany 3
Regarded by some as the 'Game of the 20th century', the Italians took the lead in the eighth minute through Roberto Boninsegna then packed their defence and held out until the final minute when Uwe Seeler equalised. This prompted the most unlikeliest of extra time goal deluges in the sapping Mexican heat. Gerd 'Der Bomber' Mueller put the Germans in front before the Italians levelled and regained the lead through Luigi Riva.
1982: West Germany 3 France 3 (Germany won 5-4 on penalties)
A wonderful fluctuating match -- overshadowed by Harald Schumacher's shoulder charge on Patrick Battiston -- with the Germans going 1-0 up through Pierre Littbarski. Michel Platini levelled from the penalty spot and then the French went 3-1 up in extra-time with two splendid goals by Marius Tresor and the diminutive Alain Giresse. However, the Germans leveled at 3-3 through goals by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Klaus Fischer. Maxime Bossis had a shootout penalty saved by the pumped up Schumacher and as he dragged himself away in a daze the musclebound Horst Hrubesch thumped home his penalty for a 5-4 victory.
1998: France 2 Croatia 1
Hosts France defied many critics by reaching the last four. A hugely-talented Croatia side, appearing in their first World Cup finals after the break up of Yugoslavia, took a 1-0 lead a minute into the second-half through Davos Suker. However, the French bounced back a minute later through full back Lilian Thuram, who scored his first ever international goal. Thuram also scored the second with a curling half-volley. He sank to his knees and held a finger to the side of his head marvelling at his timing.