WFI‘s Adam Brandon counts down to Russia 2018 with 90 World Cup goals in 90 days, scored in the minute corresponding to the day in the countdown
Context
Franz Beckenbauer, nicknamed Der Kaiser, came to prominence in the World Cup of 1966 in England.
He had just helped Bayern Munich to win promotion to the Bundesliga and was in the process of playing his part in making Bayern a giant in German football.
West Germany were one of the favourites for the 1966 World Cup, and they started fantastically with a brilliant 5-0 win against Switzerland in Sheffield. Der Kaiser got two.
They battled to a goalless draw with Argentina before seeing off Spain to win the group. That set up a meeting with Uruguay.
West Germany had surprisingly gone out four years earlier in the quarter finals to Yugoslavia, so were wary of not falling victim to a surprise again.
Uruguay always had a reputation as a tough opponent in the World Cup, but at this point weren’t the force they once were.
The West Germans found themselves back at Hillsborough, the scene of their 5-0 victory in their opening match, and it proved to be a lucky ground for them as they simply blew Uruguay away late on.
The Goal
Franz Beckenbauer coolly finishes off to make it 2-0 with twenty minutes to go:
What Happened Next?
The West Germans would add two more to win 4-0.
They reached the final, but would lose out in extra time against hosts England.
They went on to win the cup as hosts themselves in 1974, though, with Beckenbaeur as captain.
In 1990 he also coached West Germany to glory in Italy.