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World Cup 1974

Germany

Champions

After 20 years away, Germany returned to the World Cup on home soil the stage set for a long-awaited homecoming.

0
Played
0
Wins
0
Goals
0
Win Rate
Latest News
West Germany 4-2 Sweden in Group Stage
The West German side secured a decisive victory in the second group stage of the 1974 FIFA World Cup, defeating Sweden 4-2 at the Rheinstadion in Düsseldorf. Jan 30, 2026
Group B
TeamMPWDL GFGAGDPts
1
West Germany 		3 3 0 0 7 2 5 9
2
Poland 		3 2 0 1 3 2 1 6
3
Sweden 		3 1 0 2 4 6 -2 3
4
Yugoslavia 		3 0 0 3 2 6 -4 0
The Campaign

World Cup 1974

On home soil and under immense pressure, Germany delivered a campaign for the ages. With 13 goals in 7 games, they carried a consistent attacking threat throughout. 6 victories across the tournament underlined the depth of their squad.

16:00 FT Olympiastadion
Netherlands
1 ◆︎ 2
West Germany
Final
16:30 FT Waldstadion
Poland
0 ◆︎ 1
West Germany
second group stage
19:30 FT Rheinstadion
West Germany
4 ◆︎ 2
Sweden
second group stage
16:00 FT Rheinstadion
Yugoslavia
0 ◆︎ 2
West Germany
second group stage
19:30 FT Volksparkstadion
East Germany
1 ◆︎ 0
West Germany
group stage
16:00 FT Volksparkstadion
Australia
0 ◆︎ 3
West Germany
group stage
16:00 FT Olympiastadion
West Germany
1 ◆︎ 0
Chile
group stage
The Defining Moment

Germany 1974

West Germany, hosts of the tournament, reached the final on 7 July 1974 at Munich's Olympiastadion after an uneven path including a historic defeat to East Germany in the group stage. The final against the Netherlands began in the worst possible fashion: without a single German player touching the ball, Johan Cruyff surged from the centre circle and was fouled in the box penalty converted by Johan Neeskens. But Franz Beckenbauer kept his composure, Paul Breitner equalised from the spot, and Gerd Müller then the all-time top scorer in World Cup history scored the 2-1 winner with a classic turn and finish. West Germany won their second world title with character and efficiency, defeating Total Football with Germanic pragmatism.

1974 campaign
0 matches played

6won1lost

13scored4conceded

4 consecutive wins kept 4 clean sheets.

Top Scorer

Gerd Müller

0 goals
Forward

Gerd Müller led Germany's attack with 4 goals 3 in the group stage and 1 in the final at the 1974 World Cup. A specialist in decisive moments, with goals in the closing stages that changed the course of matches.

Defensive record
0 clean sheets

Conceded in only 3 of 7 matches

Head Coach

Helmut Schön

German · 1964 – 1974

The tactical mind behind Germany's 1974 campaign. 6 wins from 7 under Schön leading Germany at his first World Cup.

Playing Style

Total Football Masters

Tactical identity · 1974

West Germany's success was characterized by their total football approach, which emphasized teamwork and coordination. The team employed a flexible formation that allowed players to make runs into the box and create scoring opportunities through clever passing and movement.

Goalkeepers

1
Sepp Maier
7GAMES
GK
21
Norbert Nigbur
GK
22
Wolfgang Kleff
GK

Defenders

2
Berti Vogts
7GAMES
RB
3
Paul Breitner
7GAMES3GOALS
LB
4
Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck
7GAMES
CB
5
Franz Beckenbauer
7GAMES
CB
19
Jupp Kapellmann
CB
20
Helmut Kremers
CB

Midfielders

6
Horst-Dieter Höttges
1GAME
CM
8
Bernhard Cullmann
3GAMES1GOAL
CM
12
Wolfgang Overath
7GAMES2GOALS
CM
14
Uli Hoeneß
7GAMES1GOAL
AM
15
Heinz Flohe
3GAMES
CM
16
Rainer Bonhof
4GAMES1GOAL
CM
18
Dieter Herzog
2GAMES
CM

Forwards

7
Herbert Wimmer
2GAMES
CF
9
Jürgen Grabowski
6GAMES1GOAL
RF
10
Günter Netzer
1GAME
CF
11
Jupp Heynckes
2GAMES
LF
13
Gerd Müller
7GAMES4GOALS
CF
17
Bernd Hölzenbein
6GAMES
LW
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