Germany v Argentina 1990 World Cup final: Germans’ triumph is sullied as Argentina are disgraced

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July 9 1990: Argentina 0 W Germany 1

Argentina were shamed as West Germany last night became the world champions for the third time in the most ill-disciplined final in the competition’s 60-year history.

Argentina, who have neither behaved nor played like defending champions in the last month, were further disgraced when they had two players sent off in the Stadio Olympico last night.

This was Maradona’s last World Cup and his last international appearance. Everyone in Rome held their breath in the expectation of something special.

But instead of conjuring a piece of magic that would illustrate his genius for years to come, Maradona could only stand and watch as Argentina produced one of the poorest performances to blot a World Cup final.

There may have been worse finals in the previous 13 competitions but nobody in Rome could remember one. It took a dubious penalty six minutes from time, when Völler was fouled, to separate the sides.

Brehme, who scored against England in the semi-final in Turin, struck his shot low to Goycochea’s right and the West Germans were champions once more.

There may be some validity in the argument that the two best teams in the competition had played in Bari on Saturday night. While West Germany might protest, Argentina can have no argument.

They have been a shadow of the side that performed with such excitement in Mexico four years ago in a competition that culminated in the defeat of Franz Beckenbauer’s West Germany in the final.

This time there seemed no doubt that the Germans would exact their revenge. The only argument was when they would break down this most negative of Argentine sides.

Argentina might offer in defence the fact that four of their players were missing from this final. They were, though, all suspended and it was just endemic of the type of football that they have purveyed here in Italy.

Never slow to foul, Argentina have collected 21 yellow cards and have now had three players sent off. They have relied entirely on the inspiration of Maradona, but he has been a fading star during the last four years. They had nothing else to offer.

Argentina needed a miracle, as Maradona admitted, to overcome the artistic Brazilians in the second phase and they were only too keen to rely on penalties to beat Yugoslavia and Italy in the following rounds en route to Rome.

It seemed last night that penalties was again the limit of their ambition for they never mounted a single threatening attack on a German goal in which Illgner, the hero of the semi-final shoot-out against England, stood idly by.

Argentina were fortunate to find Germany some way below their best but, even so, they struggled to hold out, especially in the opening minutes of the second half when Berthold and Völler missed clear-cut chances.

To try and reinforce their defence, Argentina brought on Monzon in place of the half-fit Ruggeri, but the move backfired when the substitute created the most unwanted piece of World Cup history.

In the 68th minute Klinsmann burst down the right only to be sent spinning through the air by Monzon’s reckless challenge.

The Mexican referee produced a red card and Monzon became the first man to be sent off in a World Cup final.

With 10 men it was always going to be a struggle for Argentina to hold on. But with only six minutes left Völler was felled by Sensini arid not even Goycochea, who made his name with penalty saves in shoot-outs against Yugoslavia and Italy, could rescue the defending champions.

Worse was to follow for Argentina. With only two minutes left Dezotti, the stand-in for the suspended Caniggia, lost his temper in his anxiety to retrieve the ball for a free-kick.

He grabbed Köhler round the throat and wrestled him to the ground. While the German made the most of a situation it was hard to argue with the referee’s decision to send off the Argentinian striker.

Argentina’s reputation for being one of the most skilful teams in World Cup history was now completely and utterly destroyed.

Maradona cried for himself. There were those in the stadium who felt like crying for the spectacle that had been ruined by Argentina’s antics. At least they did not prosper.