Italy v West Germany (1970 FIFA World Cup)

The match

Italy led 1–0 for the majority of the match, after Roberto Boninsegna scored in the 8th minute. In the 70th minute, West German defender Franz Beckenbauer dislocated his shoulder, but stayed on the field carrying his dislocated arm in a sling, as his side had already used their two permitted substitutions.

Defender Karl-Heinz Schnellinger equalised for West Germany in the 90th minute. German television commentator Ernst Huberty famously exclaimed "Schnellinger, of all people!" (in German: "Schnellinger! Ausgerechnet Schnellinger!"), since Schnellinger played in Italy's professional football league, Serie A, at A.C. Milan (for whom he had never scored). It was also his first and only goal in a career total of 47 matches for the West Germany national team. At the end of regulation time, the score was level at 1–1, forcing the match into extra time. Had the match remained drawn after extra time, lots would have been drawn to decide which team would progress to the final.

Gerd Müller put West Germany ahead in the 94th minute following a defensive error by Fabrizio Poletti, who had just come on as a substitute, but Tarcisio Burgnich equalised only four minutes later, and then striker Gigi Riva put the Italians in front again with a superb goal. Müller scored yet again, this time with a header, for West Germany to tie the score at 3–3. Yet, as the live television coverage was still replaying Müller's goal, Italian midfielder Gianni Rivera scored what proved to be the match-winning goal in the 111th minute. Being left unmarked near the penalty area, Rivera had connected perfectly with a fine cross made by Boninsegna, clinching the victory for Italy at 4–3.

Match overview

• Boninsegna
• Burgnich
• Riva
• Rivera
• Schnellinger
• Müller

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References

References

1. (1997). "Goooal! : a celebration of soccer". Simon and Schuster.
2. Matt Wagg. (28 June 2012). "Euro 2012: five classic tournament matches between Germany and Italy including the 'Game of the Century'". telegraph.co.uk.
3. "Der Kaiser, the brains behind Germany". [[FIFA]].
4. (1970-05-26). "Drawing of lots -- that's how teams will be parted". Evening Standard.
5. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150224151153/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=569/match=1838/index.html 1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico. Match report. Italy - Germany FR] [[FIFA.com]]
6. [[Arturo Yamasaki]] was born in Peru, where he began his career as referee. He moved from Peru to officiate matches in Mexico in 1968, and hence he attended this World Cup as a representative of the [[Federacion Mexicana de Futbol. Mexican football federation]].