1974 FIFA World Cup Final

Lore & Background

The match was the first meeting between the two sides in a main tournament stage of either a World Cup or a European Championship. West Germany had won the World Cup once before, in 1954, and had finished as runners-up in 1966. The Netherlands employed their Total Football system, led by Johan Cruyff. The start was delayed because corner flags had been removed for the closing ceremony and not replaced. The two penalties were the first awarded in a World Cup Final. West Germany became the reigning European champions (1972) to also win the World Cup, a feat later matched by Spain in 2010.

Reader's Guide

The Netherlands topped Group 3 with two wins and one draw, then defeated Argentina, East Germany, and Brazil in Group A. West Germany finished second in Group 1, then beat Yugoslavia, Sweden, and Poland in Group B. In the final, Johan Neeskens scored from a penalty in the second minute after Johan Cruyff was fouled by Uli Hoeneß. Paul Breitner equalized from a penalty in the 25th minute after Bernd Hölzenbein was fouled. Gerd Müller scored the winner in the 43rd minute. Five German players (Sepp Maier, Franz Beckenbauer, Wolfgang Overath, Jürgen Grabowski, Horst-Dieter Höttges) became the first to win gold, silver, and bronze medals at the World Cup.

Did You Know?

• The match ball was the Adidas Telstar, specifically made for the 1974 World Cup.
• João Havelange made an unsubstantiated claim that the 1974 World Cup was fixed so West Germany would win.
• West German defender Berti Vogts stated in 1997 that the penalty awarded to West Germany was unjustified.