The first World Cup meeting between England and West Germany did not come until 1966, when they met in the final. As the host nation England had home advantage, but the West Germans had been scoring freely on their way to the final, and the teams were finely balanced. In front of 98,000 people at Wembley it was the visitors who struck first, with Helmut Haller firing home. However the lead lasted only six minutes before Geoff Hurst managed to equalize. England began to gain the upper hand, but it was not until the 78th minute that they managed to take the lead, Martin Peters scoring what looked likely to be the winning goal. But the West Germans refused to lie down, and their persistence was rewarded when Wolfgang Weber bundled home an 89th minute goal to send the match into extra time. Five minutes from the end of the first extra period came one of the most contentious moments in World Cup history; perhaps in sporting history. As a cross came over from the England right, Hurst struck the ball towards net. The shot rebounded off the crossbar and Hurst and his England colleagues whirled away celebrating a goal. The West Germans protested the ball had not crossed the goal line, but the Russian linesman agreed with England, and the goal was awarded. Technology has since shown the goal should not have counted. West Germany fought on, but as the clock ticked down England retained the advantage. With only seconds to go England captain Bobby Moore, a model of composure, played a long ball into the opposition half, with supporters spilling onto the pitch, Hurst ran onto the pass and lashed the ball into the back of the net, completing the first hat-trick in a World Cup final, and sealing a 4-2 victory.
England versus Germany in 1970
In 1970 the World Cup moved to Mexico, with England looking to defend their crown. But defeat in the group stages against Brazil left England facing West Germany in the quarter finals. The West Germans were once again on imperious form, still driven by Franz Beckenbauer they struck ten goals in three matches, with six of them coming from Gerd Muller, one of the most prolific strikers in World Cup history. But England were still a capable side themselves, and they took the lead with a goal from Alan Mullery. The score remained 1-0 at half-time, and shortly after the break Martin Peters, one of five World Cup winners in the England side, repeated his effort of 1966 by scoring England’s second goal. The game seemed all but over, but Beckenbauer had other ideas, and on 68 minutes he pulled a goal back. England, already without first choice goalkeeper Gordon Banks then removed another talisman from the pitch. 1970 was the first World Cup to feature substitutions, and England pulled off veteran midfielder Bobby Charlton to save him for the semi final. It proved to be a mistake. Released from marking duties, Beckenbauer took control of the game. Uwe Seeler equalized in the last fifteen minutes, and once again the match finished 2-2, and headed into extra-time. This time it was West Germany who were stronger in the extra half-hour, and Muller sealed a remarkable comeback with the winning goal. The West Germans eventually finished third in the tournament.
England failed to qualify for the next two tournaments, in stark contrast to the West Germans who won the title in 1974. The rivalry was resumed at the 1982 World Cup in Spain. West Germany had moved into the second round despite losing to Algeria in their opening match, while England had won all three of their group matches. They were then drawn together in a second round group alongside the host nation, with only one side to go through to the semi final. 75,000 spectators watched England meet West Germany at the Bernabeu in Madrid, but anyone hoping for a repeat of the goal-fests of 1966 and 1970 was destined for disappointment. The game featured many great names: Uli Stielike and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge for West Germany; Bryan Robson and Terry Butcher for England. But it was the goalkeepers, Harald Schumacher and Peter Shilton who ended the match happiest, neither conceding in a 0-0 draw. West Germany went on to beat Spain, while England could only manage another draw, so it was West Germany who proceeded, and eventually finished as runners up.
Germany vesus England at Italia 90
England avoided West Germany in 1986, but in 1990 the teams moved through the rounds to meet at the semi final stage. Shilton and Butcher were still in the England side, while Lothar Matthaeus, an unused substitute in 1982, was now the West German midfield general. The West Germans had looked the stronger side throughout the tournament, but in Turin the old enemies were once again closely matched. On the hour mark a deflected free-kick from Andreas Brehme looped into the net to give West Germany the lead. England pressed forward, and with ten minutes to go Gary Lineker picked up the ball and shot into the far corner. For the fourth time in four World Cup matches, England and West Germany could not be separated over 90 minutes. This time extra time could not produce a winner, although a booking for England’s young star Paul Gascoigne did produce one of the iconic images of the tournament, as ‘Gazza’ wept at the prospect of missing the final through suspension. The match went to a penalty shoot out. Lineker and Brehme converted, as did Peter Beardsley and David Platt for England, and Matthaeus and Karl-Heinz Reidle for West Germany. But then Bodo Illgner blocked Stuart Pearce’s fierce effort, before Olaf Thon gave the West Germans the lead. It fell to Chris Waddle to try and keep England in the competition, but he fired high over the bar and it was West Germany who progressed again, this time going on to win the World Cup.
Jonathan Squirrell - Jon Squirrell is a freelance writer and 3-dimensional cartoonist currently living on Humberside. As well as writing for Suite 101, Jon ...
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