1974 FIFA World Cup final facts for kids
| Bundesarchiv Bild 183-N0716-0314, Fußball-WM, BRD - Niederlande 2-1.jpg
Germany's Gerd Müller (far left) watches Netherlands' Johan Cruyff (centre) playing against team-mates Berti Vogts (2nd left) and Uli Hoeneß (right)
|
|||||||
| Event | 1974 FIFA World Cup | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||
| Date | 7 July 1974 | ||||||
| Venue | Olympiastadion, Munich | ||||||
| Referee | Jack Taylor (England) | ||||||
| Attendance | 75,200 | ||||||
|
← 1970
1978 →
|
|||||||
The 1974 FIFA World Cup final was the exciting last match of the 1974 FIFA World Cup tournament. It took place in Munich, Germany (which was then called West Germany). This was the 10th time the FIFA World Cup was held. It decided which country had the best men's national football team in the world.
The final was played between the Netherlands and West Germany. West Germany won the match 2–1. The Netherlands scored first with a penalty kick from Johan Neeskens very early in the game. But then, Paul Breitner scored another penalty for West Germany. The winning goal came from Gerd Müller just before half-time. This victory gave West Germany their second FIFA World Cup title. Five German players made history by winning gold, silver, and bronze medals at the World Cup. These players were Sepp Maier, Franz Beckenbauer, Wolfgang Overath, Jürgen Grabowski, and Horst-Dieter Höttges.
Contents
How the Teams Reached the Final
Netherlands' Journey to the Final
The Netherlands team had an amazing journey to the final. They were known for their special way of playing called "Total Football". This style meant players could easily switch positions, making it hard for opponents to mark them. In the first round, they played against Uruguay, Sweden, and Bulgaria. They won two games and drew one, finishing at the top of their group.
In the second round, the Netherlands continued to impress. They faced Argentina, East Germany, and Brazil. They won all three of these matches, scoring eight goals and not letting any goals in. This perfect record in the second round secured their spot in the final.
West Germany's Path to the Final
West Germany, as the host nation, also had a strong path to the final. In their first round, they played against Chile, Australia, and East Germany. They won two matches but surprisingly lost to East Germany. Despite the loss, they still made it through to the next stage.
In the second round, West Germany played against Yugoslavia, Sweden, and Poland. They showed great strength by winning all three of these games. They scored seven goals and only let in two. This strong performance in the second round earned them a place in the World Cup final against the Netherlands.
The Final Match: Key Moments
Match Summary
The West German team was led by their captain, Franz Beckenbauer. The Dutch team had their star player, Johan Cruyff, and their exciting "Total Football" style. The game started a little late because the corner flags were missing! They had been removed for a ceremony before the match and forgotten.
Just one minute into the game, Cruyff was fouled inside the German penalty area. This led to a penalty for the Netherlands. Johan Neeskens scored, giving the Dutch an early lead. No German player had even touched the ball yet! West Germany tried hard to get back into the game. In the 25th minute, they also got a penalty after Bernd Hölzenbein was fouled. Paul Breitner took the kick and scored, making it 1–1. These were the first two penalties ever given in a World Cup Final.
West Germany kept pushing for another goal. Just before half-time, in the 43rd minute, Gerd Müller scored the winning goal. This goal turned out to be Müller's last for the West German team, as he stopped playing international football after the tournament. At half-time, Cruyff received a yellow card for arguing with the referee.
In the second half, both teams had chances to score. Müller thought he had scored again, but the linesman called him offside. Later, Hölzenbein fell in the Dutch penalty area again, but the referee did not give another penalty. When the final whistle blew, West Germany were champions! They had also won the European title in 1972, making them both European and World champions. This was a rare achievement.
Match Details
| 7 July 1974 16:00 UTC+1 |
Netherlands  |
1–2 |  West Germany |
Olympiastadion, Munich Attendance: 75,200 Referee: Jack Taylor (England) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Neeskens  2' (pen.) |
Breitner 25' (pen.) Müller 43' |
          Netherlands
|
   West Germany
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Match rules:
|
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Final de la Copa Mundial de Fútbol de 1974 para niños
- Germany–Netherlands football rivalry
- Germany at the FIFA World Cup
- Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup
