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
As we saw in 77, West Germany had suffered a shock defeat to East Germany in the group stages, but did enough to qualify for the second group stage.
In the second group stage they beat Yugoslavia and Sweden to set up a semi-final of sorts with Poland. A draw would have been enough for the Germans but Golden Boot winner Gerd Muller scored with fifteen minutes remaining to make sure of their place in the final.
In the final they got off to the worst possible start, as without touching the ball, they conceded a penalty and found themselves a goal down. Their opponents were the Netherlands, who subsequently attempted to humiliate their opponents by keeping the ball for the next twenty minutes.
However, the Dutch were hit by a sucker punch when they conceded a penalty and the West Germans levelled things.
The Goal
Just before half-time the German number 13 and top scorer at the 1974 World Cup completes the comeback before half-time…
What Happened Next?
There were chances for both sides in the second half, and the Dutch had another penalty turned down. But West Germany held on to win their second World Cup.
The Netherlands were left to rue their missed chances and would lose again in the final four years later.