Uruguayan forward Juan Eduardo Hohberg scored twice in the 1954 Switzerland World Cup semifinal against Hungary but suffered a cardiac arrest right after his second goal, clinically dead for seconds before being revived.
Juan Eduardo Hohberg was born on October 8, 1927, in Rosario, Argentina, starting as a goalkeeper for Central Córdoba's youth team but switching to forward after scoring a double in a youth match. He debuted in first division with Rosario Central in 1946 and joined Uruguay's Peñarol in 1949, winning four national titles from 1949 to 1954 and earning the nickname 'El Verdugo' for his goal-scoring instinct.
Naturalized Uruguayan, he was called up for the 1954 Switzerland World Cup. On June 30, at Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, Uruguay faced mighty Hungary, leading 2-0 with goals from Zoltán Czibor and Nándor Hidegkuti. Hohberg leveled the score with strikes at the 75th and 86th minutes, pushing the match to extra time. After his second goal, he collapsed on the field; masseurs Juan Kirchberg and Carlos Abate revived him with chest massages, as detailed in Jorge Señorans' book 'La culpa la tiene el técnico'. Weakened, he returned to play, but Hungary won 4-2.
Four years later, in 1958, he survived a plane crash in Brazil while returning from a failed transfer attempt to Sporting Lisbon. He briefly left professional football due to financial struggles but rejoined Peñarol, aiding wins like the 1960 Copa Libertadores. He ended his playing career in Colombia with Cúcuta Deportivo and Atlético Nacional.
As a coach, he led San Luis Potosí in 1973, saving it from relegation, and Atlético Español in 1975. He also managed Uruguay at the 1970 World Cup, ousted in semifinals by Brazil, and during 1978 qualifiers, where he was sacked. He died of natural causes in Lima, Peru, in 1996, remembered for his enduring football legacy.
