This Day in History: 2023-03-22

Nr. 430

NORTH KOREA’S ‘RED MOSQUITOES’ STING PORTUGAL… (1966)

On 23 July nobody believed North Korea could beat Portugal in the 1966 World Cup quarter-finals – except the North Koreans. Self-belief and a high­energy attacking style saw the Asian side rock the Portuguese with a goal after just one minute. After twenty minutes the 41,780 fans at Goodison Park, Liverpool, were convinced they were witnessing soccer history. The scoreboard read 1000-1 outsiders North Korea 3, Portugal 0. The ‘Red Mosquitoes’ of Communist Korea had the tournament third favourites rocking with their thrilling series of ‘lightning horse’ attacks and clinical finishing.

A North Korea player celebrates after his side scored their second goal to go 2-0 up. An historie World Cup shock was on the cards.