The Defining Moment
West Germany 1982
West Germany reached the Spain 1982 final trailing controversy from the Disgrace of Gijón the tacit pact with Austria in the group stage that eliminated Algeria. In the semi-finals, the Germans produced another infamous moment: Harald Schumacher's brutal challenge on France's Patrick Battiston, which left the Frenchman unconscious without the goalkeeper even being booked. West Germany won on penalties. In the final at the Bernabéu, however, they had no answer to an inspired Italy: Rossi, Tardelli, and Altobelli delivered an emphatic 3-1. Breitner scored a consolation goal. West Germany fell as runners-up in a tournament that, for many, they did not deserve to have reached the final of.