A new World Cup brought about a new crown. Following Brazil’s victory in 1970, the Jules Rimet trophy, kept in Brazilian football headquarters, was preposterously pinched. The trophy was never recovered again and only replicas would now replace the original; a sad ending to a magnificent prize that arguably pioneered the world’s greatest sporting tournament.
Brazil had problems on-field too. Following Pelé’s retirements, three of their best players were unavailable through injury and suddenly, its line-up took on a more defensive shape. On the other hand, West Germany had class all over the park; Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller and Berti Vogts (just to name a few) were predicted to guide the Germans all the way on home soil.
Either way, there were going to be challenges thrown at them, but it wasn’t going to come from England. It failed to qualify at the expense of Poland, reaching the tournament for the first time since 1938. Other challengers included Italy, who looked solid defensively, and the Netherlands, who forged the modern style of ‘Total Football’, where every player could attack and defend.
West Germany Faces East Germany for the Only Time in Football History
Like in Mexico ’70, the 1974 FIFA World Cup commenced in rather laborious circumstances; West Germany getting over the line against Chile, 1-0, but looking more like pretenders than contenders. While Chile and Australia struggled, East Germany thrived beating its Western counterparts, 1-0, to top the group. West Germany also progressed, but East Germany appeared to have the tougher draw.
Undoubtedly, Zaire was the bunny in Group 2. Brazil, Scotland and Yugoslavia all overpowered the Africans with consummate ease – Yugoslavia thrashing them, 9-0! Elsewhere, the three competing teams could only muster draws against each other meaning goal difference would decide this group’s fate. Despite winning a game and remaining unbeaten, Scotland beat Zaire by the least and, hence, was the unlucky team to miss out – a FIFA World Cup first.
Group 3 mirrored Group 1 in that there were two impressive teams (Holland and Sweden) and two teams there for show (Bulgaria and Uruguay). Holland was almost cavalier in its approach. Occasionally, the Dutch seemed to be in cruise control, but at the flick of a switch, could turn on the goals instantaneously. Sweden provided Holland with some resistance proving that the two best teams went through, but Holland was better.
Group 4 was more-or-less a repeat of group 2 – Haiti the easy-beat; Argentina, Italy and Poland competing in the hope of realising ultimate glory. Poland took command from the beginning with striker, Grzegorz Lato, who scored four goals in two games, helping his side finish on top. Retrospectively, neither Argentina nor Italy seemed good enough to progress, but the South Americans overcame Haiti, 4-1, to knock Italy out on goal difference.
The Second Group Stage of the 1974 FIFA World Cup
FIFA elected for a secondary group stage instead of the knockout system. Two different groups would play each other once, with the teams finishing on top advancing directly to the final and the teams finishing second playing off in the third-place final.
Group A, containing the Netherlands, Brazil, East Germany and Argentina, only ever looked to be Holland’s from the outset. The Dutch advanced to its first FIFA World Cup final thrashing Argentina, 4-0, and securing 2-0 wins against East Germany and Brazil. Holland sent a message of intent to its competitors that with Cruijff, Neeskens, Rep and Rensenbrink at its disposal, the Dutch meant business.
Group B saw the rise of West Germany and the challenge of Poland. The Poles, now rated good enough to win the tournament, had Deyna, Szarmach and Lato leading by example. West Germany had other ideas though; Beckenbauer and Müller working beautifully in tandem to leave the competition in its wake. While West Germany had bigger ‘Oranje’ fish to fry, Poland could still hold its head high claiming third spot with a 1-0 win over Brazil – Lato bagging his seventh to win the Golden Shoe.
The Final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup
There was a delay to the kick-off with the referee pointing out that the corner flags were missing. Once replaced, the final began in spectacular fashion; Cruijff making a blistering run that Hoeness unlawfully disrupted – penalty! Merely 90 seconds had passed and Holland already held the advantage… but not for long.
With Vogts shutting out Cruijff, Holland suddenly looked limp going forward. Following an equalising penalty to the Germans, Beckenbauer’s influence came to the fore. The German master, with impressive sidekicks in Overath and Müller, had now swung the game in its favour, particularly so when Müller swivelled on the turn and shot low to beat the stationary Dutch goalkeeper.
West Germany continued to stifle Holland’s game, and the score stayed at 2-1; Undeserving perhaps for the Dutch, but the Germans tactically got it right when it counted. Undeniably, this tournament was meant for Beckenbauer and his men. They grew in concert as the tournament wore on, and in doing so, claimed West Germany’s second FIFA World Cup.
For more facts from the 1974 World Cup, feel free to explore from the following link.
Andy Paolacci - Hi there! My name is Andy Paolacci and I am a 26-year-old Monash University Arts/Journalism graduate from Melbourne, Australia. I have ...
Join the Conversation