West Germany recovered from an early penalty to beat the Netherlands 2-1 to add the 1974 title to their crown from 1954. The Dutch were one of the most entertaining sides in the tournament but the Germans won by giving up four goals in hoisting the trophy.
New Trophy, New President, New Format
The 1974 World Cup premiered a new trophy as a replacement for the Jules Rimet Cup which Brazil retained after winning their third World Cup in 1970. FIFA also had a new president with Brazilian Joao Havelange taking place of Englishman Stanley Rous. And there was a new format with a second stage with two four-team groups replacing the knockout stage of quarter-finals and semi-finals. Making their World Cup debut were East Germany, Zaire - the first finalist from sub-Saharan Africa - and Haiti while England and Russia were not on hand. The tournament ran from June 13-July 7, 1974.
Pele Gone, New Stars Arriving
The Brazilian legend Pele was not at the World Cup for the first time since 1958. But football fans throughout the world had two stars to enjoy in Holland's Johan Cruyff and West German Franz Beckenbauer, who revolutionized the libero role.
West Germany Beaten By East Germany
The hosts West Germany did not allow a goal in winning the first two games before losing to neighbors East Germany 1-0 on Jürgen Sparwasser's goal in the 77th minute. East Germany took first place in Group 1 and West Germany finished second. The loss actually turned out to be an advantage as Helmut Schoen's West Germans were able to avoid the Group A with the Netherlands, Brazil and Argentina.
Yugoslavia, Poland Take Group Honors
Yugoslavia and Brazil played to a scoreless draw to open Group 2 and both teams drew with Scotland to grab first and second place, respectively. Grzegorz Lato scored twice as Poland beat Argentina 3-2 to take first place in Group 4 with three victories while Argentina finished second ahead of Italy. The Netherlands advanced as Group 3 winners with Jonny Rep and Johan Neeskens both scoring two goals in the Dutch's first round wins.
West Germany, Netherlands Take Three Wins
West Germany won Group B with victories over Yugoslavia (2-0), Sweden (4-2) and Poland (1-0 on Gerd Mueller's goal in the 76th). The Netherlands meanwhile beat Argentina (4-0) and East Germany (2-0) to head into a showdown with Brazil to decide the finalist after the Brazilians were less convincing with two victories (1-0 over East Germany and 2-1 against Argentina). Neeskens and Cruyff both scored in the second half as the Netherlands knocked off Brazil 2-0 to reach the final in their first World Cup since 1938.
Poland Take Third Place
Lato scored one of the biggest goals in Polish history as the only score in Poland's 1-0 victory over Brazil to take third place. With the goal, Lato took the Golden Shoe award with seven tallies.
West Germany Come Back From Early Penalty
The Dutch had a perfect start to the final as Cruyff was fouled in the box by Uli Hoeness and Johan Neeskens made it 1-0 in just the second minute for the first penalty in a World Cup final. But there would be another penalty in the 25th minute as Paul Breitner converted the equalizer after Wim Jansen took down Bernd Hoelzenbein. West German defender Berti Vogts did a great job shutting down Cruyff and Gerd Mueller scored off a Rainer Bonhoff cross to give West Germany the lead 2-1 two minutes before the break. And Helmut Schoen's men held on to allow Beckenbauer to raise the new trophy.
