West Germany claimed their second FIFA World Cup title by defeating the Netherlands 2–1 in Munich, ending the Dutch 'Total Football' era without a championship.
Key Facts
- Final score
- West Germany 2–1 Netherlands
- Opening goal (min.)
- Johan Neeskens penalty, 2nd minute
- Winning goal
- Gerd Müller, 43rd minute
- Equaliser
- Paul Breitner penalty, 25th minute
- World Cup edition
- 10th FIFA World Cup
- W. Germany's World Cup titles
- 2nd title
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 1974 FIFA World Cup brought together national men's football teams in West Germany to contest the 10th edition of the tournament. The Netherlands, playing a revolutionary 'Total Football' style, and the host nation West Germany both advanced through the competition to meet in the final on 7 July 1974 in Munich.
West Germany faced the Netherlands in the final at Munich. The Netherlands scored first through a Johan Neeskens penalty in the second minute, but Paul Breitner equalised with a penalty in the 25th minute. Gerd Müller then scored the decisive goal in the 43rd minute, giving West Germany a 2–1 victory and their second World Cup title.
West Germany's victory denied the Netherlands their first World Cup title despite the widespread acclaim for their Total Football system. Five German players — Sepp Maier, Franz Beckenbauer, Wolfgang Overath, Jürgen Grabowski and Horst-Dieter Höttges — became the first players in history to have collected gold, silver and bronze medals at the FIFA World Cup.
Result
at Olympiastadion, Munich, West Germany