World Cup 1974 West Germany - Review & History
Holland and West Germany met in the final of a competition dominated by the Europeans. The trophy returned to West Germany after 20 years, with Franz Beckenbauer proving a powerhouse in both defence and attack. Unfancied Poland shocked millions of onlookers, finishing third by beating Brazil 1-0. Grzegorz Lato finished as the top scorer with seven goals.
FIFA unveiled a new format for the championships, with two sets of group matches. Brazil, without Pele who had now retired, scraped through to the second stage by finishing runners-up in Group Two, while Holland conceded just one goal as they eased through. In the second round, Holland topped Group A, with West Germany sitting pretty in Group B, as the two best footballers in the world at that time came head to head in the final.
Beckenbauer came out on top against Johann Cruyff as the Germans recorded a 2-1 win. Holland took the lead straight from the kick-off when Cruyff was brought down by Uli Hoeness in the box and Johann Neeskens converted the spot-kick. West Germany equalised with a penalty of their own. Bernd Holzenbein was tripped by Wim Jansen and Paul Breitner scored, before Gerd Muller's 43rd-minute strike secured victory.
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World Cup 1974 results (Held in Germany)
FINAL - Olympiastadion, Munich
West Germany 2-1 Holland
TOP SCORER World Cup 1974
Grzegorz Lato (Poland) 7
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