World Cup Final 11 July 1982

Italy v West Germany

Santiago Bernebau, Madrid
Italy 3 (Rossi 56, Tardelli 69, Altobelli 80)
West Germany 1 (Breitner 83)

Italy: Zoff, Bergomi, Cabrini, Collovati, Scirea, Conti, Gentile, Oriali, Tardelli, Rossi, Graziani (Altobelli 7, Causio 89).

West Germany: Schumacher, Kaltz, K-H. Forster, Stielike, B.Forster, Breitner, Dremmler (Hrubesch 62), Littbarski, Briegel, Rummenigge (Muller 70), Fischer.

Referee: Arnaldo Cesar Coelho (Brazil)
Yellow Cards: Conti, Oriali (Italy), Dremmler, Littbarski, Stielike (West Germany)

Italy had failed to win any of their group games, but squeezed through thanks to three draws, but in the second phase, they defeated both Argentina and Brazil to make it through to a semi-final with Poland, which they won easily by two goals to nil. Enzo Bearzot had recalled Paulo Rossi from a two-year ban for bribery and his hat-trick against Brazil and double-strike against The Poles had made all the difference.

West Germany had suffered the indignity of a defeat by Algeria in the group stages, but their "no-game" with Austria ensured progression for both sides. In the second phase they squeaked past Spain and England, before winning an epic semi-final with highly-fancied France, winning on penalties after extra time. Their success was built around the defensive strength of Kaltz, Briegel and the two Forsters, Karl-Heinz and Bernd, whilst Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Pierre Littbarski provided the attacking spearhead.

The final was a turgid affair in the first half, with both sides unwilling to take many risks, waiting for the other to make the first mistake. After 56 minutes, Rossi broke the deadlock, heading in from close-range as German keeper Toni Schumacher hesitated. Schumacher was lucky to be playing at all after his assault on Patrick Battiston in the semi-final, and now justice was seen to be done.

Marco Tardelli made the game safe with 20 minutes to go, cracking home a left-foot drive from 20 yards past a static Schumacher.

Alessandro Altobelli, on as an early substitute for Graziani, added a third with ten minutes left, slotting home from the edge of the area, following a dash down the right by Man-of-the-Match Bruno Conti.

Paul Breitner's late consolation made no difference to the final outcome, but made the midfielder only the third player to score in two Finals, following the efforts of Pele and Vava.

Dino Zoff, captaining the side at the age of 40, picked up the trophy as Italy joined Brazil as three-time winners of the greatest prize in football.