1954: The Birth of a Global Spectacle
On this day in 1954, the FIFA World Cup kicked off in Switzerland with a thrilling opener as the host nation defeated Austria 3-2 in Zurich. This marked the first time the tournament featured the iconic "Group Stage + Knockout" format, setting the template for future World Cups. The match itself was a microcosm of the drama to come: Switzerland trailed 2-1 before staging a late comeback, with Hans von Arx netting the winner in the 81st minute.
1994: Beijing’s Historic Upset
Exactly 40 years later, Chinese football etched its name into global folklore. On June 16, 1994, Beijing Guoan shocked European champions AC Milan 2-1 at the Workers’ Stadium in a friendly match. Despite fielding a squad of all domestic players, Beijing exploited Milan’s experimental lineup—featuring stars like Paolo Maldini and Gianluca Vialli—to secure victory. Gao Feng, dubbed the "Chinese Maradona," delivered a man-of-the-match performance with a goal and an assist, while Zhou Ning’s late penalty sealed the historic upset.
