MX23RW : Tuesday, December 17 04:58:09| >> :600:2123788:2123788:

On this day: Germany win third World Cup

Twenty-four years ago today, the Germans win the World Cup for the third time in their history at the expense of Argentina in Rome.

Potentially just 180 minutes of football separate Germany and the World Cup trophy at the ongoing tournament in Brazil.

It's little surprise that the three-time champions have reached the semi-final stage because after all, they've featured in at least the last four on every occasion since Japan and South Korea were co-hosts in 2002.

However, what is a source of consternation to German supporters is the fact that their team has not lifted the famous golden prize since 1990 - a feat that was achieved in Rome 24 years ago today.

Their opponents were holders Argentina, who had won the final in Mexico four years earlier 3-2 at the expense of the West Germans. Consequently, revenge was high on the agenda of Franz Beckenbauer's charges.

Italia '90 had largely been dominated by dour defensive and tactical play and with so much at stake in the capital city, Germany and Argentina stuck with that trend over the course of the 90 minutes. As such, goalscoring opportunities were few and far between, which resulted in some of the fans inside the Stadio Olimpico voicing their displeasure at the show that had been laid on for them.

There was some drama in the 65th minute when Argentine substitute Pedro Monzon became the first player to be red-carded in a World Cup final for a foul on Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann. Down to 10 men, Argentina retreated into their shells even further, with the intention of forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.

It appeared to have worked, but with six minutes left, Germany were awarded a controversial penalty. There appeared to be little contact between Argentina defender Roberto Sensini and Rudi Voller, but Mexican referee Edgardo Codesal pointed to the spot. Inter Milan's Andreas Brehme dispatched the resultant kick from 12 yards out, which sealed the victory for his country.

There still remained enough time, though, for an ill-disciplined Argentina to have another player dismissed when centre-forward Gustavo Dezotti was handed his second booking following a clash with Jurgen Kohler.

When the final whistle was blown, the South Americans had not only become the first team to have had the first and then second player to be sent off in the showpiece event, they were also the first outfit to have failed to score a goal in a World Cup final.

As for the Germans, their head coach Beckenbauer became only the second man in history (after Brazil's Mario Zagallo) to have won the World Cup as both a manager and a player. Der Kaiser had previously captained Germany to the title back in 1974.

West Germany: Illgner; Brehme, Kohler, Augenthaler, Buchwald, Berthold (Reuter); Haessler, Littbarski, Matthaus; Klinsmann, Voller

Argentina: Goycoechea; Ruggeri (Monzon), Simon, Lorenzo; Serrizuela, Sensini, Burruchaga (Calderon), Basualdo, Troglio; Dezotti, Maradona

ID:164023: cacheID:164023:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5201:
Written by
Liam Apicella
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Germany's Jurgen Klinsmann celebrates scoring at the World Cup on June 17, 1994.
Read Next:
Top 10 German footballers of all time
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!