1976 European Cup Final

Lore & Background

The match took place at Hampden Park in Glasgow, a city that already had seen Saint-Étienne defeat local team Rangers during the competition. Les Verts were playing against Bayern Munich, a team hoping to win a third consecutive European Cup. The game began with Gerd Müller finding the back of the net after Bernd Dürnberger won the ball in his own half and went on a 50-metre solo run; however, Müller's effort was disallowed for offside by the Hungarian referee Károly Palotai. In the 37th minute, Uli Hoeneß took a shot, but it did not worry goalkeeper Ivan Ćurković. Saint-Étienne had plenty of chances to score, though; at the 34th minute Dominique Bathenay's shot hit the crossbar, with Bayern's keeper Sepp Maier beaten. Five minutes later, Jacques Santini connected with a cross from Christian Sarramagna, but his header hit the crossbar too. After the final, French fans called Hampden Park's goalposts 'les poteaux carrés' (English: the square posts). After the start of the second half, Bayern were more confident. In the 57th minute, Franz Beckenbauer passed to Gerd Müller, who was tackled by Osvaldo Piazza and the referee gave a free-kick to the German team from 20 metres out, just left of the penalty arc. Franz Beckenbauer tipped the ball to Roth on his right who scored half high into the left side of the goal. After this, les Verts tried everything. Manager Robert Herbin chose to substitute Sarramagna for Dominique Rocheteau, but to no avail. At the end of the match, Saint-Étienne's players were crying, because they felt that they had been unlucky, but their supporters were congratulating them, and their return in France was heroic, even though they were defeated.

In Their Own Story

Under a grey Scottish sky, rain slicked the Hampden Park turf, turning the pitch into a battlefield of heavy boots and tense silence. The crowd's roar had faded to a nervous hum until the ball found Rummenigge on the edge of the box. Franz Beckenbauer watched with the calm authority of a general who knew victory was close but not yet sealed. The young striker didn't hesitate; he struck first-time, sending a leather rocket past the diving keeper. For a heartbeat, silence reigned—then the Munich contingent erupted as history was written in the mud.

Reader's Guide

The deciding goal was scored by Franz Roth, not Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Gerd Müller was not substituted before the goal; he played the entire match. A match with chances for Saint-Étienne (two crossbar hits) and Bayern scoring from a free-kick, not a stalemate or defensive grind.

Did You Know?

• The match was held at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
• Bayern Munich won their third consecutive European Cup, becoming the third club to do so after Real Madrid and Ajax.
• Saint-Étienne hit the crossbar twice in the first half.
• The goal was scored by Franz Roth from a free-kick set up by Franz Beckenbauer.
• After the final, French fans called Hampden Park's goalposts 'les poteaux carrés' (the square posts).