World Cup Final July 8 1990

West Germany v Argentina

Stadio Olimpico, Rome
West Germany 1 (Brehme 84 (pen))
Argentina 0

West Germany: Illgner, Berthold (Reuter 73), Kohler, Augenthaler, Buchwald, Brehme, Hassler, Matthaus, Littbarski, Voller, Klinsmann.

Argentina: Goycochea, Ruggeri (Monzon 46), Simon, Serrizuela, Sensini, Basualdo, Burruchaga (Calderon 53), Troglio, Lorenzo, Maradona, Dezotti.

Referee: Codesal (Mexico)
Red Cards: Monzon (65), Dezotti (87)
Yellow Cards: Voller, Troglio, Maradona

It was the final that few outside Munich or Buenos Aires had wanted. An organised, if unspectacular, German side were paired against a cynical and ill-disciplined Argentina in a repeat of the 1986 World Cup Final.

Diego Maradona and Co could count themselves extremely fortunate to have reached the Final, and victory would have made them the most undeserving winners in World Cup history.

They had lost the opening match of the tournament to the magical Cameroon, had qualified for the latter stages as one of the best third placed teams and reached the final by virtue of penalty shoot-out victories over Yugoslavia and Italy.

The match itself held no surprises as the South Americans set their stall out for a draw. Without four players through suspension, including star striker Claudio Caniggia, Argentinian manager Carlos Bilardo employed negative tactics aimed at frustrating West Germany, for whom Jurgen Klinsmann and Lothar Matthaus had been inspirational.

The tactics worked. Franz Beckenbauer's side toiled to break down a resolute 11-man defence as the watching millions were struck dumb by the game as a spectacle and Argentina's shocking fouls and petulance.

Rarely has a referee been manhandled in the way that Codesal was after sending off Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti in the second half. The dirty duo were the first player's ever to be dismissed in a World Cup Final, but in all fairness any one of eleven Argentinians could have followed their team-mates down the tunnel, such was the outrageousness of their behaviour. The match was incidental. West Germany held the upper hand but the game looked destined for extra-time and penalties after Rudi Voller had missed the games best chances.

But with just six minutes remaining of normal time it was ironic that West Germany were to be awarded a dubious penalty for a foul by Nestor Sensini on Voller. The tackle seemed innocuous enough but having got away with far worse challenges throughout the competition it seemed that justice had been done.

German full-back Andreas Brehme expertly converted the penalty to Goycoechea's right and just inside the post to deprive Argentina of back to back World Cup victories.

It was fitting to see Maradona in tears as West Germany captain Lothar Matthaus lifted the trophy aloft. If Argentina had managed to win the tournament with their mediocre side then the "Hand of God" could quite rightfully claim to be blessed.