*FIFA had little choice but to award the competition to West Germany as the only other applicant, Spain, had withdrawn. The letters "WM" on the 1974 World Cup logo is an abbreviation for Weltmeisterschaft, German for World Championship.

Qualification
There were nine European qualifying groups, five of which had four teams, the others had three. Only those finishing first would qualify.
The draw, made in Dusseldorf on 18th July 1971, paired up England and Wales in a three-team pool together with Poland in Group 5. It was a draw that Alf Ramsey and England could not have been displeased with as they had not lost to Wales in annual meetings since 1955 and had only once failed to beat them at Wembley, the Pole's only experience of a World Cup finals was way back in 1938 and although they had managed a draw against England in a friendly at Goodison Park in January 1966, England had won the only other encounter in Chorzów later that same year. However, by the Autumn of 1972, England had good reason for concern - After appointing Kazimierz Górski as manager in December 1970, Poland won gold at the Olympic Games in Munich.

Scotland had failed to qualify for all of the three previous World Cup's, they had recently enjoyed a revival under Tommy Docherty but he left for Manchester United before the crucial Group 8 fixtures with Czechoslovakia. The Scots had made no mistake in their opening games against the one other team in the group, Denmark (still at a relatively primitive phase of development having only first entered the World Cup of 1966), Scotland took maximum points from the Danes to put the pressure on the Czechs who's own matches against Denmark would follow. The Czechs could only draw in Denmark and, despite then thrashing the Danes 6-0 at home, Scotland now knew that 2 draws or 1 win v the Czechs would see them through. The first clash with Czechoslovakia took place at Hampden Park on 26th September 1973, and with Willie Ormond now at the helm, Scotland came from behind on an unforgettable night in front of the live STV cameras to win 2-1 and secure 1st place.

On the same night that the Scots booked their place in West Germany, Poland beat Dave Bowen's Wales 3-0 to go top of Group 5, the result finally killed off the Welsh who had beaten the Poles at home and earned a draw away to England, Poland's victory meant that England now had to win the final group fixture against the Poles at Wembley. England's campaign had begun well enough with a 1-0 win in Wales, but a hugely disappointing draw in the return fixture in January 1973 was followed by a disastrous 2-0 defeat away to Poland in June. The match between England and Poland on 17th October 1973 was exclusively live on ITV and ended in 1-1 draw, which meant England had failed to qualify for a World Cup finals for the first time since they began entering the competition in 1950, but it has to be said that England were extremely unlucky on the night and it should also be noted that the Poles went on to beat Brazil in the 3rd place play-off having topped a group which included Argentina and Italy. Had England recovered to make some sort of impression on the next World Cup, or even Euro 76, then the Poland debacle would have largely been forgotten, but unfortunately it was to take on an ever greater significance as the decade progressed, to the point that it became almost as legendary as England's triumphant 4-2 victory against West Germany in 1966. If the 1966 World Cup marked the beginning of a golden age in English football, the 1974 World Cup campaign signalled its' end.

Terry Neill's Northern Ireland also failed to qualify, but this was no surprise given that they were unable to play any of their home matches in their own country, 'The Troubles' dictated that their three 'home' games against Portugal, Cyprus and Bulgaria had to be staged in England - where only Cyprus were beaten, and this victory could not appease the costly defeat in Nicosia in which Cyprus scored their only goal of the entire campaign to beat the Irish 1-0. The Republic of Ireland were surprise runners-up in Group 9 (the winners of which would have to play-off with a South American team), they lost both games against the Soviet Union but beat France at home and earned a draw in Paris, the Soviet Union won the group but then refused to play their 2nd leg play-off v Chile after the Chilean president was overthrown by the military in a coup d'état - The 1st leg had ended in a goalless draw, Chile then decided to stage a token return 'match' against non-existent opponents in Santiago, going through the motions of kicking-off and scoring a 'winning goal'. Despite demands from the Soviet's to play the fixture at a neutral venue ("Sending our team to a stadium which has been used as a concentration camp would be against all human morals") FIFA officially awarded Chile a 2-0 2nd leg win... and General Pinochet took over as president.
Elsewhere, the pinnacle of 1970's football-cool - the Netherlands - finished top of Group 3, but they could have been denied a place in the finals had it not been for a controversial offside decision which robbed Belgium of a likely group winning goal in the final match*, Belgium did not concede a single goal in their qualifying campaign (which included two goalless draws v the Netherlands), but the Dutch rattled in twice as many goals as their neighbours did against Norway & Iceland and it was the 'Oranje' who went through on goal difference. Ironically, given the venue for the finals, East Germany qualified for an international tournament for the first and only time in their entire history. Austria and Sweden finished on identical points and goal difference in Group 1 and had to contest a single match play-off in West Germany which the Swedes won 2-1, Austria would have qualified had either the goals-for or head-to-head rule applied. A similar scenario occurred in Group 7 with Spain and Yugoslavia joint top in-spite of Spain scoring more goals, and it was Yugoslavia who won through via another play-off match in West Germany.

*View a freeze frame of the controversial moment that sent the Netherlands, and not Belgium, into the World Cup finals. Belgium were robbed of what would have been a spectacular volleyed goal by Leon Semmeling on the end of this free kick, but it was ruled out for offside.
 

British TV coverage of World Cup 74

ITV games are in white, BBC or non-televised matches are in grey.
All matches were broadcast in colour unless stated.
 

Qualifiers & Friendlies

Wed 11/Oct/1972    England 1 (Royle) Yugoslavia 1 (Vladic)
Friendly at Wembley
BBC Highlights
David Coleman
*"Sportsnight" BBC1, 9:55-10:45pm. This was the first meeting with Yugoslavia since the Euro 68 Semi-final loss. England avoided a 3rd successive Wembley defeat with a make-shift side which gave debuts to Mick Mills, Jeff Blockley (his only cap), Mick Channon and Frank Lampard (who won only one further cap 8 years later, but his son would became a regular in the 2000's). England led at HT through Joe Royle on 38 after a neat build-up had appeared to break down, but three defenders converging on the ball confused eachother and this allowed Alan Ball to set up Royle to fire into the roof of the net from close range. Franjo Vladic (making his debut) equalised on 51 after a floated ball from the right was nodded back into the centre where Vladic was unmarked to head past Shilton. Alan Ball then volleyed home from a corner but, much to the displeasure of the crowd, it was disallowed. A good Yugoslav move towards the end saw Dzajic chip Shilton and hit the crossbar. Highlights were repeated on the ESPN Classics channel in the 2000's.

Wed 18/Oct/1972    Denmark (Laudrup) 1 Scotland 4 (Macari, Bone, Harper, Morgan)
Qualifier in Copenhagen
BBC Highlights
*"Sportsreel" BBC1 Scotland, 9:55-10:45pm (possibly in black & white), the rest of the UK saw the game on "Sportsnight" at the same time. Lou Macari headed Scotland ahead from Peter Lorimer's corner on 17, Jimmy Bone forced in a re-bound (again from a Lorimer corner) on 19 for 2-0, Finn Laudrup brought the Danes back into the match with a 25 yard free-kick on 28, Joe Harper of Aberdeen came on as a sub to make his debut and was put clear by Macari's back-heel to score on 81, Willie Morgan headed a fourth on 87 after another Harper effort had come back off the woodwork and fell to Lorimer to cross.

Wed 18/Oct/1972    Bulgaria 3 (Bonev(2pens), Kolev) Northern Ireland 0
Qualifier in Sofia
?BBC Highlights?
*Possibly included on "Sportsnight" with the Scotland match above. Played on a difficult surface after days of torrential rain, Bonev scored from the penalty spot on 18, Kolev added the 2nd on 53. After vowing to retire and missing the Home Internationals, George Best was back in the Irish team but was sent off on 85 for a foul in the box, Bonev then netted his 2nd spot kick. Terry Neill's verdict was that it was "a sad day for football with this travesty of justice".

Wed 15/Nov/1972    Wales 0 England 1 (Bell)
Qualifier in Cardiff
ITV Highlights
Brian Moore
*ITV showed this as "World Cup Football" at 10:50-11:50pm. Liverpool and future international stars Ray Clemence and Kevin Keegan made their England debuts, Clemence made some decent saves but Keegan messed up a good opportunity when the Welsh defence were caught appealing for offside, Colin Bell scored the only goal on 35 mins by finishing off a good passing move.

Wed 15/Nov/1972    Scotland 2 (Dalglish, Lorimer) Denmark 0
Qualifier at Hampden
SCOTTISH Highlights
*SCOTTISH & GRAMPIAN showed this (and the England match) at 10:50-11:50pm, BBC1 Scotland also appear to have showed highlights at 10:15-11pm on "Sportsreel" with Archie McPherson commentating. Leeds 'keeper David Harvey made his debut for Scotland and Kenny Dalglish scored his first international goal on 2 minutes with a first time shot following a corner. Peter Lorimer prodded in the 2nd goal on 47 but he was later sent off along with Denmark's Per Rontved in the 85th minute after the Dane had badly fouled him causing a frustrated Lorimer (who, along with his colleagues, had been on the end of some rough treatment all evening) to lash out in retaliation. Scotland won a penalty in the final minutes but Morgan hoofed it over the bar. The match turned out to be Tommy Docherty's last match in charge before he left for Manchester United on 22nd December.

Wed 24/Jan/1973    England 1 (Hunter) Wales 1 (Toshack)
Qualifier at Wembley
BBC Highlights
David Coleman
*Highlights were included on "Sportsnight" along with Tennis and Rugby from 9:25-10:45pm. John Toshack gave Wales a shock lead on 25 by turning in a Leighton James byline pull-back from close range, a goal-line scramble at the other end saw Gary Sprake push away from Martin Chivers before Norman Hunter equalised with a ferocious 25-yarder on 41. Rodney Marsh almost scored a wonder goal (similar to Frank Worthington's famous effort for Bolton in 1979) but unfortunately his volley cleared the cross-bar. Colin Bell headed against the cross-bar in the 2nd half and Chivers was just wide with the follow-up, but the impatient home fans began slow handclaps which turned to jeers at the end (and even a reprise of the national anthem could not bring the hostile crowd to order). Repeated on ESPN in the 2000's.

Wed 14/Feb/1973    Scotland 0 England 5 (Lorimer(og), Clarke 2, Channon, Chivers)
Friendly at Hampden
ITV Highlights
Brian Moore
*ITV showed highlights at 10:45-11:45pm with Jimmy Hill, Jack Charlton, Malcolm Allison and Pat Crerand on the panel. Back on 4th January Scotland had appointed 46 year old St Johnstone boss Willie Ormond as their new manager, but his first match in charge (a friendly to celebrate the Scottish FA's centenary) was an unmitigated disaster. On an ice-cold evening in front of less than 50,000 (Scotland v England games usually drew more than twice that number), Bobby Moore won his 100th cap for England and received a silver salver - As the lines of players applauded, the home crowd responded with jeers and sang "Bobby Moore, superstar, walks like a woman and he wears a bra" and proceeded to boo Moore every time he touched the ball, but the England captain had the last laugh in this St. Valentine Day massacre which included three goals in the opening 14 minutes. Peter Lorimer deflected Mick Channon's effort in to his own net on 6, Man of the match Channon set up Allan Clarke for the 2nd on 13, a minute later Channon scored a goal of his own with a half-volley, Martin Chivers saw an effort strike the woodwork before HT and then added goal number 4 on 75, Allan Clarke rounded off the scoring at 5-0 with a solo effort on 85. It was England's biggest win at Hampden since 1888 and the perfect response to the barrage of criticism following the home draw with Wales. On the same night, West Germany lost in a friendly to Argentina, their first home defeat since 1965.

Wed 14/Feb/1973    Cyprus 1 (Antoniou)) Northern Ireland 0
Qualifier in Nicosia
*No British TV coverage scheduled. Cyprus had never previously won a World Cup qualifier and had not won any match in six years, but 2 minutes from the end Kokos Antoniou scored from 25 yards sending the Cypriot fans into such ecstasy that Kokos left the field injured by the excesses of his own fans.

Wed 28/Mar/1973    Wales 2 (James, Hockey) Poland 0
Qualifier in Cardiff
BBC Highlights
?David Coleman?
*Highlights were included on "Sportsnight" (BBC1 9:25-10:50pm) along with Boxing, a preview of the Grand National and possibly the match below. A terrific and deserved win for Wales, Leighton James scored on 46, Trevor Hockey on 85. Wales were now joint top with England in the Group 5 table.

Wed 28/Mar/1973    Northern Ireland 1 (O'Neill) Portugal 1 (Eusebio)
Qualifier in Coventry
BBC N.IRELAND Highlights
?Archie MacPherson?
*BBC1 Northern Ireland had their own football show at 10-10:50pm. An attendance of 11,000 braved the bomb threats and saw Martin O'Neill scored his first international goal on 17 and the Irish looked to be course for victory until the 84th minute when Sammy Nelson fisted a Dinis shot over the bar and Eusebio equalised from the resulting penalty kick.

Tue 08/May/1973    Northern Ireland 3 (Morgan, Anderson 2) Cyprus 0
Qualifier in London (Fulham)
*Possibly an extended  report was included on the following night's "Sportsnight" on BBC1 10:10-11pm. Manchester United winger Trevor Anderson made a sensational international debut by netting two goals. Sammy Morgan gave the Irish an early lead on 4 mins, Anderson scored his first on 33 and added another just before HT.

Sun 27/May/1973    Czecholslovakia 1 (Novák) England 1 (Clarke)
Friendly in Prague
*No British TV coverage scheduled. England wore an unfamilar yellow strip with blue shorts. Igor Novák scored on 54 following a corner and it looked as though England were heading for a very poor defeat until Allan Clarke hammered in an equaliser on 89 after being set up by Leeds team-mate Paul Madeley. Sir Alf Ramsey said afterwards; "I could not see us getting a goal back. Nothing went right for us. But we didn't play well".

Wed 06/Jun/1973    Poland 2 (Moore(og), Lubanski) England 0
Qualifier in Chorzów
BBC LIVE
David Coleman
*BBC1 showed this LIVE with coverage beginning at 5:15pm, Frank Bough presented with Brian Clough and Bob Wilson alongside him in the studio, there was also a "News from Katowice"(sic) segment at 4:05-4:10pm and brief highlights were included on "Sportsnight" at 9:25-10pm along with the Derby and Boxing. England wore their new yellow strip again, but it didn't bring them any luck and it was terrible evening for Bobby Moore who deflected in a free-kick from wide on the left on 7 minutes and was at fault for the 2nd goal on 47 when Poland captain Wlodzimierz Lubanski raced clear to score after robbing a casual Bobby Moore too busy surveying his next pass out of defence. Seven minutes after making it 2-0 Lubanski was injured in a challenge by Roy McFarland and the Pole was then seen being lifted onto the back of somebody's shoulders and literally dropped into the back of an ambulance at the side of the pitch. Alan Ball was dramatically sent off on 75 after Laslaw Cmikiewcz clashed with Martin Peters as they both fell to the ground in a tangle, Ball raced to Peters' aid and grabbed the Pole by the throat whilst appearing to knee him in the groin, the Austrian referee immediately produced a red card and both sets of players on the bench reacted angrily - seemingly threatening to attack oneanother. Alf Ramsey later claimed that Ball had been struck in the face first and also added "We are all disappointed, but I was also very proud of the team and the way they played. I do not think they could have played better, but I think we could and should have beaten the Poles."

Sun 10/Jun/1973    Soviet Union 1 (Muntian(pen)) England 2 (Chivers, Khurtislava(og))
Friendly in Moscow
ITV Highlights
Brian Moore
*All ITV regions showed highlights of England's historic first visit to the Soviet Union at 10:15-11:15pm (twelve days before the 'Prevention of Nuclear War Agreement' was signed in Washington). Dickie Davies introduced the coverage with Jack Charlton and Pat Crerand on the panel. Curiously, separate British producers are credited for London & Moscow in the TVTimes. England made use of three subs in a match for the first time in very hot conditions having dominated the match. Martin Chivers' curling chip put England ahead on 10, Mick Channon then hit the inside of the post on 36. Two successive corners on 55 led to a Murtaz Khurtsilava own goal to make it 2-0, but the home side came back strongly in the last half-hour, Vladimir Muntian pulled one back from the penalty spot on 66 after Peter Storey had tripped Olshamski in the box. On 81 the Lenin Stadium erupted at the sight of what they believed to be an equaliser but Koslov's finish was ruled out for offside.

Thu 14/Jun/1973    Italy 2 (Anastasi, Capello) England 0
Friendly in Turin
ITV Highlights
?Brian Moore?
*ITV broadcast highlights at 10:30-11:30pm (possibly in black & white) with Dickie Davies presenting and Jack Charlton and Pat Crerand on the panel. Bobby Moore's 107th cap beat Bobby Charlton's world record set three years earlier, but Italy recorded their first ever victory against England with goals from Pietro Anastasi (shooting through Bobby Moore's legs) on 32 and a clearly offside Fabio Capello on 52. England had begun the match well before the sucker punch, Italy almost went 3-0 up when a Rivera free-kick hit the junction of the upright.

Fri 22/Jun/1973    Switzerland 1 (Mundschin) Scotland 0
Friendly in Berne
*No British TV coverage scheduled. Walter Mundschin scored the only goal on 62. Everton's John Connolly made his one an only appearance for Scotland.

Sat 30/Jun/1973    Scotland 0 Brazil 1 (Johnstone(og))
Friendly at Hampden
BBC SCOTLAND Highlights
*BBC1 SCOTLAND showed highlights at 10:40-11:10pm on "Sportsreel". Brazil won courtesy of a Derek Johnstone own goal on 33, but the final scoreline flattered the Scots. Brazil's manager said ""The Scots played very like England - High balls into the
middle all the time. They did not keep possession enough. They did not have ideas enough. They did not interchange positions enough."

Tue 03/Jul/1973    'All Ireland' 3 (Martin, Conroy, Dougan) Brazil 4 (Lima 2, Jairzinho, Valdomiro)
Friendly in Dublin
*The Irish XI was made up of 5 Northern Ireland and 6 Republic of Ireland internationals including the likes of Pat Jennings, Johnny Giles, Martin O'Neill and Terry Conroy in the first unified team to play in 60 years. A packed Lansdowne Road heard "A Nation Once Again" played during the pre-match entertaiment, yet the home team were not permitted to turn out as "All Ireland" because of the concerns of the Irish Football Association (Northern Ireland) who feared a match involving an All Ireland team would encourage moves for the IFA to merge with the FAI, therefore the team was officially billed as a 'Shamrock Rovers XI' and were kitted out in Shamrock's green and white hoops. The game was shown live on RTE from 7:20pm. Derek Dougan, who helped organise the match, was never selected to play for Northern Ireland again.

Wed 26/Sep/1973    Scotland 2 (Holton, Jordan) Czechoslovakia 1 (Nehoda)
Qualifier at Hampden
SCOTTISH & GRAMPIAN LIVE
Arthur Montford
*In a late change to the schedules, SCOTTISH & GRAMPIAN both showed the match live from 7:55-10pm. George Connelley and Tommy Hutchison made their debuts on this historic night for Scotland. The home team knew that a win would secure qualification and they dominated the early stages and created a number of good chances against a Czech team who's barbed-wire tactics brought chants of "Animals" from the terraces, but disaster struck on 31 when Nehoda's speculative wide-angled shot was fumbled into the net by Hunter. Scotland were soon level however when Jim Holton was on the end of a Hutchison corner for a back-headed looping equaliser on 41. Minutes later Holton found the back of the net again but it was ruled out for offside by a referee who had already turned down three Scottish penalty appeals. Hunter made amends for his earlier mistake by making two good saves early in the 2nd half, yet it was Scotland who continued to show all the enterprise - Law set up Bremner who's shot agonisingly came back off the inside of the post, by which time Joe Jordan had already replaced Kenny Dalglish on 64 minutes and on 75 it was Jordan who scored the winner with a diving header. When the final whistle blew, Scotland had qualified for a World Cup finals for the first time since 1958.

Wed 26/Sep/1973    Poland 3 (Gadocha, Lato, Domarski) Wales 0
Qualifier in Chorzów
HTV WALES Highlights
??????
*Highlights were shown on HTV's Welsh service at 10:30-11:30pm. A victory for Wales (wearing a green away strip) would have given them a good chance of qualifying, but Trevor Hockey was sent off just before HT and the game then degenerated into personal feuds and petty fouls, Dave Bowen said "It was just a disgrace". The Poles went ahead on 29 (having earlier hit the crossbar) when Gadocha made full use of of a poor back pass to score. On 34 Lato sprayed a long ball out wide to the left and when the cross came in it was Lato who darted into the box to finish with a beautiful header, then on 40 Laslaw Cmikiewcz (the player involved in Alan Ball's sending off in June) got Hockey dismissed by making the most of the Welsh man's retaliation. Poland made it 3-0 on 53 when Domarski finished off a byline pull-back by Lato.  The result meant that Wales were out whilst Poland now topped the group needing a draw in the final group match at Wembley to qualify.

Wed 26/Sep/1973    Northern Ireland 0 Bulgaria 0
Qualifier at Hillsborough, Sheffield
*Possibly shown on Ulster TV at 10:30-11:30pm. Another bad tempered match with Northern Ireland collecting a point against the team who would go on to win the group.

Wed 26/Sep/1973    England 7 (Channon 2, Clarke 2, Chivers, Currie, Bell) Austria 0
Friendly at Wembley
ITV Highlights
Hugh Johns
*All English ITV regions showed highlights from Wembley at 10:30-11:30pm, presented by Brian Moore, with Malcolm Allison, Jack Charlton, Brian Clough and Derek Dougan on the panel. England's preparation for the decisive final World Cup qualifier in three week's time was a comprehensive victory in soggy conditions against a team currently joint top of Group 1. Mick Channon scored on 10 minutes by getting a touch to Peters' looping cross from the right, Tony Currie's cross on 28 was chested down by Allan Clarke on the far side and he finished neatly for number two. On 43, unchallenged and first to a re-bound off the keeper, Clarke added a third just before HT following Bell's acrobatic ball into the box. On 47 the Austrian goalkeeper parried another Clarke effort against the post and after the ball appeared to cross the line Mick Channon followed up to make absolutely sure to claim the goal as his own, Martin Chivers added the 5th from point-blank range on 60 mins courtesy of a low ball across the face of the goal by Tony Currie, Currie then netted his first international goal on 65 by taking the ball on his chest and then volleying home. Finally, Colin Bell ran onto a loose ball to fire in a shot for 7-0 with three minutes left to play.

On 6th October 1973, Don Revie wrote in the Leeds programme that the World Cup could turn into a bloodbath unless the referees get a firm grip on the players.

Wed 17/Oct/1973  England 1 (Clarke(pen)) Poland 1 (Domarski)
Qualifier at Wembley
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns & Billy Wright
*Due to the importance of the match and with all Wembley tickets now sold, it was agreed on 2nd October that the game could be shown live - ITV were due to screen exclusive highlights and it was they who were therefore granted live coverage, but the BBC were not happy and felt that they should be able to show the match live as well (a little unfair given the agreed rotor system and the fact that the BBC had recently had exclusive live coverage of the Poland away tie). In the end, the BBC showed a highlights package. On the 13th October League chief Alan Hardaker defended the refusal to postpone league matches ahead of the tie in a radio interview; "It is a football match, not a war. Let us keep our sense of perspective, everybody is getting hysterical. If we do lose, the game is not going to die. It will be a terrible thing for six weeks and then everybody will forget about it". ITV broadcast a preview programme on Tuesday night at 10:30-10:50pm and LIVE coverage began at 7:30pm on Wednesday and ran until 10pm (except in Scotland and possibly Wales). Brian Moore (pictured) presented the programme with Brian Clough on the panel two days after he had resigned from the manager's job at Derby County. In the pre-match build-up Clough famously described Poland's no.1 Jan Tomaszewski (making his 13th appearance for his country) as "a clown" due to his unorthodox goalkeeping style, Clough also asked "What manager would have him in his team?".

With the 100,000 crowd very much behind them, England began in a determined fashion and had a great chance to score on 18 after Mick Channon had been chopped down on a purposeful run towards goal, Roy McFarland stretched to meet the resulting free-kick to keep it in play and the ball ran across the face of the goal with Channon unable to get a clean touch and the Poles able to scramble it to safety. Another near miss saw Channon head inches over from point blank-range as he met a fierce cross/shot from Tony Currie following a corner. England created other good openings but either couldn't get in a finishing effort or were off target. As HT approached, it seemed only a matter of time before England would score - Amid a series of corners Chivers had a good chance blocked and Bell's fine drive on the re-bound was turned away by the outstretched hand of Tomaszewski, the Polish keeper was soon in action again - pushing away a close range header from Allan Clarke, then as he went walkies, Lato stepped in to save his blushes and hack clear, Channon had another header at goal, this time on target, but Tomaszewski tipped it over the bar for yet another corner - England's 14th of the half, but the breakthrough would not come. 0-0 at half-time.

A mistake in the Poland defence on 53 saw Martin Chivers set up Currie with a clear sight of goal, but he miss-kicked wide. Currie's next effort at goal 2 minutes later was better, Tomaszewski decided to punch clear and Channon met it with a wicked volley which smashed into the side-netting. But on 57 it was disaster for England, Currie lost the ball in an attacking position wide on the right, the defender sent a hopeful ball up the touchline which Norman Hunter ought to have dealt with easily and should have put out for a throw, instead he tried to be clever and put his foot on the ball in an attempt to flick it back to McFarland, but he was robbed by Lato who sped up the left flank, cut inside and passed into the path of Jan Domarski who hit a first-time low drive which rolled under Shilton's clumsy attempt to scoop up. 0-1 and England now had to score twice to qualify. Channon immediately had the ball in the net at the other end following a long throw, but the 'goal' was ruled out (presumably because Peters was harshly judged to have been climbing). On 63 Channon was brought down in midfield, he took the free-kick quickly and Martin Peters' run on the right was brought to an end by Cmikiewicz just inside the box, Penalty! Allan Clarke struck it high to his right with Tomaszewski diving the wrong way, 1-1. Clarke might have then given England the lead in another frantic scramble in the Polish goalmouth but a tame finish was blocked by the keeper's feet, Poland broke quickly but the attack petered out and England launched a counter, this time Hunter almost made amends for his earlier mistake but his powerful strike was pushed away by Tomaszewski. With 9 minutes remaining Cmikiewicz cynically fouled Bell in full-flight and the crowd called for him to be sent off, the referee appeared to reach for his pocket but decided that a free-kick would suffice, the dead ball situation was wasted and Poland then sent Lato clear, McFarland literally grabbed hold of him from behind -  a clear red card offence today - but he escaped with a booking. It was riveting edge of the seat end-to-end action, Lato found himself clear again but took too long to round Shilton and the eventual  finishing effort by Kasperczak was blazed well wide. Kevin Hector came on as a sub on 88 to make his international debut, replacing an ineffective Martin Chivers. Hector immediately got in a cross which was hacked clear, then he set up Hughes down the left who forced a corner - Currie took the flag kick and Tomaszewski flapped at it, knocking it down towards his own goal but it was agonisingly cleared off the line by the knee of Szymanowski. Now deep into injury time, England launched another desperate attack, Tomaszewski again refused to catch and punched to the feet of Bell who's shot deflected off the Polish keeper towards goal but again it was cleared off the line, this time by Bulzacki, Channon's attempt to launch another attack was scuppered by his foul-throw and by the time England won the ball back and launched it into the box, the referee blew for full-time.

The draw meant that Poland were through and England had failed to qualify for a World Cup finals for the first time ever. Alf Ramsey said afterwards "It is a tremendous disappointment to us all, the team gave their best, they played as well as they can play, but we failed in front of goal. Nevertheless, I'd do exactly the same and pick exactly the same team if we had a second chance. The Polish goal was a tremendous blow - It was only to be expected that we would make a mistake as we were so committed to attack, but we made only the one and it is a heavy price to pay. Have I failed? I wouldn't say that. Remember that England had never won a World Cup until 1966." Pressed again to give a view on his future, Ramsey turned back to the dressing rooms saying "I refuse to answer, it is time I broke this up". Highlights on BBC went out at 9:25-10:45pm on "Sportsnight" which also included boxing (Barry Davies commentated), the BBC version has been repeated on ESPN Classics.

Wed 17/Oct/1973    Czechoslovakia 1 (Nehoda(pen)) Scotland 0
Qualifier in Bratislava
SCOTTISH & GRAMPIAN LIVE
?Arthur Montford?
*Shown LIVE in Scotland from 4:40-6:50pm. Presumably STV & Grampian had arranged the broadcast before the result of Scotland's home match with the Czechs was known as this return match was now meaningless in terms of final group positions (only 10,000 spectators were inside the ground). Scotland gave debuts to John Blackley of Hibs and sub Donald Ford of Hearts, the only goal was scored from the penalty spot on 17 mins after Tom Forsyth was alleged to have handled in the area as he fell in a tangle onto the ball.

Wed 14/Nov/1973    Portugal 1 (Jordao) Northern Ireland 1 (O'Kane)
Qualifier in Lisbon
*George Best returned to the side but he wouldn't make another appearance in the green jersey until three years later. Portugal had blown their chances of qualification by drawing at home to Bulgaria a month earlier, they led at HT through Jordao but O'Kane equalised in the 2nd half.

Wed 14/Nov/1973    England 0 Italy 1 (Capello)
Friendly at Wembley
BBC Highlights
Barry Davies
*BBC1 showed highlights on "Sportsnight" at 9:25-10:45pm along with boxing. The only goal of the game was scored on 87 after Peter Shilton pushed away a cross from the right into the path of Fabio Capello on the edge of the 6 yard area, Capello was then left with the simple task of shooting into a practically open goal. Italy became the 5th continental team to win on English soil. Bobby Moore played his 108th and what turned out to be his last match for England - Moore's final tally of international appearances remained a world record until 1978 when it was beaten by Sweden's Bjorn Nordqvist.

Wed 14/Nov/1973    Scotland 1 (Holton) West Germany 1 (Hoeneß)
Friendly at Hampden
BBC Scotland Highlights
?Archie McPherson?
*BBC Scotland showed highlights at 10:00-10:45pm. On 5 minutes a corner on the right was headed towards goal by Law, it was blocked by Dalglish but Holton headed in the rebound for 1-0, Scotland won a penalty late on when Dalglish was fouled, but Bremner's tame effort was easily smothered by the keeper. The Germans then equalised late on when a cross from the left found Hoeneß unmarked who headed in for 1-1 on 82 mins.

Sat 05/Jan/1974    "World Cup Draw: Live From Frankfurt"
*BBC1 showed the draw live at 8:20-8:35pm. ITV included it in their news bulletin at 9:00-9:20pm and SCOTTISH TV probably looked at the draw in more detail on their extended Sunday afternoon "Scotsport" programme at 2:05-3:30pm. Detlef Lange, an 11 year-old Berlin choirboy, was chosen to pick the teams and he was responsible for the most controversial World Cup draw yet - the pairing of both East and West Germany in the same group. Scotland would face Brazil (the current World champions) in Group 2 along with Zaire (the first 'black African' nation to make it through to a World Cup finals) and either Spain or Yugoslavia (still yet to play-off on 13th February after finishing joint top in their qualifying group).
 
 
 

Wed 27/Mar/1974    West Germany 2 (Breitner(pen),Grabowski) Scotland 1 (Dalglish)
Friendly in Frankfurt
ITV Highlights
?Brian Moore?
*ITV were scheduled to show football at 10:45-11:45pm in all regions. Dundee keeper Allan Thomson, Eric Schaedler (of Hibs and this his only cap), Kenny Burns and Bobby Robinsom (Dundee) all made their debuts for Scotland. Stanton brought down Wimmer in the area on 33 and Paul Breitner scored from the spot, two minutes later the Germans were 2-0 ahead through Jurgen Grabowski. Scotland were under the kosh for most of the match but Kenny Dalglish pulled one back on 77 with the German defence expecting an offside decision.

Wed 03/Apr/1974    Portugal 0 England 0
Friendly in Lisbon
*BBC1 had a "Sportsnight" at 9:55-10:45pm but were only able to show the FA Cup SF replay between Liverpool and Leicester City as the game in Portugal kicked off at 9:45pm. As well as missing six Liverpool players, other squad members reported injured and Alf Ramsey had no option but to give no less than six players their debuts - Phil Parkes (his only cap), Mike Pejic, Martin Dobson, Dave Watson, Stan Bowles and Trevor Brooking. Ramsey said "There is only one thing to do - punish the clubs concerned. If a player does not report for an international match or a training session, he should not be permitted to play for his club on the following Saturday." The game itself was a tepid affair in front of a small crowd, Mick Channon came closest to scoring when he hit the post in the 1st half, Portugal was just three weeks away from a revolution that saw a half-century fascist dictatorship swept aside in a single day. Another week later, on 1st May 1974, it was announced that Sir Alf Ramsey had been dismissed after almost 12 years as England manager.

Wed 22/May/1974    England 2 (Channon, Worthington) Argentina 2 (Kempes 2(1pen))
Friendly at Wembley
BBC Highlights
David Coleman
*BBC1 showed highlights on "Sportsnight" (9:25-10:50pm) along with boxing. Coventry manager Joe Mercer was now in temporary charge of England and there was a debut for Alec Lindsay. The visitors insisted that the referee should be an Argentinean before they agreed to play the fixture and after allowing some bad tackles to go unpunished in the 2nd half, the ref denied England a deserved victory by awarding Argentina a penalty in the dying minutes. Mick Channon had netted the opening goal half a minute before HT and as the players left the field Roberto Perfumo (the only survivor of the infamous 1966 World Cup clash with England) started protesting about the goal, Emlyn Hughes took it upon himself to push the Argentina captain out of the way but was immediately set upon and was headbutted in the face - The offender, Rubén Glaría, did not come out for the 2nd half having been subbed. On 54 Frank Worthington was first to a re-bound to make it 2-0 after Bell had hit the underside of the crossbar following a corner. Three minutes later Mario Kempes was presented with an easy chance to bring Argentina back into the match at 1-2, Kempes then won a penalty on 89 after falling over the outstretched foot of Hughes and he took the spot kick himself to make it 2-2.

Wed 29/May/1974    East Germany 1 (Streich) England 1 (Channon)
Friendly in Leipzig
ITV Highlights
Brian Moore
*All ITV regions (except in Scotland) showed highlights at 10:30-11:30pm in black & white. England played well in front of 95,000 against a team who had won all of their last 12 matches, they hit the woodwork four times before falling behind to a Joachim Streich goal on 67. Trevor Brooking was the first unlucky England player on 10 when his lob hit the bar, then Martin Dobson saw his 20 yard free-kick crash down off the underside of crossbar and a moment later a Mick Channon shot hit the upright. Colin Bell was the 4th player to hit the woodwork when his shot on 51 rebounded off the far post. Two minutes after East Germany had scored against the run of play, Mick Channon finally found the net for England with a free-kick.

Sat 01/Jun/1974    Bulgaria 0 England 1 (Worthington)
Friendly in Sofia
BBC Highlights
Barry Davies
*BBC1 "International Match of the Day" at 10:05-11:05pm, the pictures were in black & white. The England party almost left Bulgaria before the match was played after their original hotel had been deemed unsafe and the team were then placed 2 or 3 to a room in accomodation allocated to the press. Bulgaria hit the post from a free-kick on 19 but this was another decent England performance, Frank Worthington beat the offside trap and netted the winner on 43, Mick Channon also hit the post.

Sat 01/Jun/1974    Belgium 2 (Henrotay, Lambert(pen)) Scotland 1 (Johnstone)
Friendly in Bruges
?BBC SCOTLAND Highlights?
*Possibly shown on BBC1 in Scotland only, 10:05-11:05pm. Gordon McQueen made his debut but Scotland failed to improve on a poor away record of just 4 wins outside of the British Isles in 12 years! They were denied a draw due to a harsh penalty decision given against Dalglish for a push on Van Himst, but it was no more than Belgium deserved. The home side had taken the lead on 22 through Roger Henrotay, Jimmy Johnstone equalised on 39 as the Belgium defence failed to clear. Raoul Lambert netted from the late spot-kick on 78.

Wed 05/Jun/1974    Yugoslavia 2 (Petkovic, Oblak) England 2 (Channon, Keegan)
Friendly in Belgrade
ITV Highlights
Brian Moore
*All ITV regions (except in Scotland) showed highlights at 10:30-11:30pm. The England party arrived at Belgrade airport from Sofia on Sunday afternoon, but due to confusion over time difference they arrived an hour earlier than planned with the Yugoslavian officials yet to turn up to greet them. The England players were in a jovial mood and were dressed in casual clothes, Frank Worthington walked into a glass door which had his colleagues in hysterics and about six players then took a wrong turn which led to Alec Lindsay deciding to take a walk on the conveyor belt. Angry immigration officials then ordered the players to move to the correct area. Kevin Keegan was heavily loaded with bags and was the last to move, he was then pushed fiercely in the back and as he turned to complain he was grabbed around the neck and taken away. It was then alleged that a stewardess had claimed that one of the passengers on the flight had 'goosed' her, Keegan had been asleep for the whole journey, yet he was detained for half-an-hour and was struck in the face and stomach, he was eventually released 'under surveillance'. Charges of assaulting a stewardess, assaulting security guards, disturbing the peace and causing obstruction were ultimately all dropped. Some England players protested that they should go straight home, but they were persuaded to stay and play the match. 80,000 turned up to see Mick Channon give England an early lead on 6 after Maric had failed to hold on to a corner, Ilija Petkovic headed in a byline pull-back on 23 for the equaliser, Yugoslavia then went ahead on 50 courtesy of a terrific strike from Branko Oblak following a corner, but Kevin Keegan partly revenged his treatment at the airport with a diving header on 75 for 2-2. Malcolm MacDonald could have won the match in the dying seconds when he was put clear with only the keeper to beat.

Thu 06/Jun/1974    Norway 1 (Lund) Scotland 2 (Jordan, Dalglish)
Friendly in Oslo
*No TV coverage scheduled. Scotland avoided defeat to a team of part-timers with two late goals. Tom Lund had put the Norwegians ahead with a fine shot on 19, Joe Jordan was at the end of Bremner's free-kick to head in the equaliser on 74 and then another Bremner free-kick on 86 saw Jordan head to Kenny Dalglish who netted the winner from 6 yards out. Jimmy Johnstone narrowly avoided being sent home from Norway by manager Willie Ormond after he was caught drinking in a bar with Billy Bremner.
 

World Cup '74 Finals
Sixteen nations were divided into four groups of four as usual, but there was a drastic change to the format after the opening round - The Quarter-finals and Semi-finals were dropped in favour of a Second round group phase in which two groups of four would produce two runners-up to contest the 3rd/4th place play off and two group winners who would contest the final, the change increased the number of matches from 32 to 38. The venues were; Munich, West Berlin, Hamburg, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Gelsenkirchen, Frankfurt, Hanover and Stuttgart.
Security for the finals was tightened in light of the shocking 'Black September' terrorist attack on the Israeli team during the Munich Olympics two years earlier, there were also threats made against certain teams participating in 1974 - Scotland were concerned about the IRA, Chile trained on a pitch surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards after the Chilean consulate in Berlin was fire-bombed shortly before the finals began, and the Netherlands were warned that one of their star players may be kidnapped by Arab terrorists after two Palestinians had recently been jailed in Holland for hijacking. A parachute display before the final was cancelled because security chiefs feared 'unauthorized persons' might try to parachute into the stadium.
On a lighter note, the Scotland squad released a World Cup song "Easy, Easy" on the Polydor label, but it did not make an appearance on Top of the Pops and stalled at number 20 on the singles chart.

Wed 12/Jun/1974    "World Cup '74"
*ITV showed a special preview programme on the night before the tournament began at 9-10pm. BBC1 had a "World Cup Grandstand" preview the same evening at 8:10-9:00pm.

First Round
Game 1

Thu 13/Jun/1974    Brazil 0 Yugoslavia 0
Group 2 (5pm bst)
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns
*Both ITV and BBC1 broadcast the opening ceremony and first game live, ITV's coverage began at 3pm and ran until 7pm (with a 5 minute news bulletin at 5:55pm), Hugh Johns voiced the match but Gerald Sinstadt may have described the opening ceremony which featured 16 giant footballs that opened like eggs to reveal singers and dancers representing each participating country, Pelé also made an appearance by carrying the Jules Rimet trophy alongside West Germany's Uwe Seller who carried the new FIFA Trophy. The match itself was a disappointing affair, not helped by the wet conditions and a very poor pitch. BBC1 coverage of the afternoon's events began half-an-hour earlier at 2:30pm, finishing at 6:50pm (David Coleman commentated for them). BBC1 was the only channel to show highlights at 10:15-11pm.

Fri 14/Jun/1974    West Germany 1 (Breitner) Chile 0
Group 1 (4:30pm bst)
ITV Highlights
Gerry Harrison
*BBC1 showed this LIVE (Barry Davies commentating) in a programme scheduled for 3:40-5:50pm with "news from the Scottish camp". Chile's participation in the finals provided leftwing groups with the perfect stage in which to make their opposition to the new Chilean government junta visible to an international audience, members of the Solidarity Committee purchased around 1500 tickets, occupying entire blocks of seats, and as the Chilean national anthem was played they began to chant "Chile Si, Junta No!" and unfurled flags and banners - one of which substituted the letters "ch" in President "Pinochet" with a swastika (a now illegal symbol in West Germany). The protest did not exactly fall on sympathetic ears among most West German fans who retorted with loud whistles, 2000 riot police then entered the stadium and surrounded the protesters who continued to chant throughout the game. Paul Breitner scored the only goal on 16 minutes - finishing off an 11 pass move with a 25 yard strike, Chile's Carlos Caszely was sent off on 67 for a retaliatory tackle on Berti Vogts having already been booked in the 7th minute.

Fri 14/Jun/1974    Scotland 2 (Lorimer, Jordan) Zaire 0
Group 2 (7:30pm bst)
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns & Alf Ramsey
*ITV's Friday World Cup coverage began at 7pm, "Miss TV Times" followed at 9:30pm. Scotland were in the unfortunate position of opening their campiagn against the least known-about team in the group, and were therefore unable to gauge what would constitute a satisfactory scoreline should goal-difference come into play. David Hay saw his shot hit the upright on 24 but two minutes later he crossed for Joe Jordan who nodded to Peter Lorimer and his volley found the back of the net for 1-0, goal number two was a total embarrassment for Zaire's goalkeeper Kazadi as he allowed Jordan's header from Billy Bremner's free-kick on 33 to slip from his grasp and drop over the line. The floodlights failed soon after half-time (Hugh Johns asked Alf Ramsey for his thoughts on the problem, Sir Alf replied "I am not an electrician") the players remained on the pitch and the action resumed after a four minute hold-up, yet Scotland were unable to add to their tally - Jordan missed an open goal on 70 and Lorimer saw another shot hit the woodwork. Denis Law made his 55th and final appearance in the Scottish jersey. BBC1 also showed the Scotland match LIVE (voiced by David Coleman) at 6:45-9:30pm.

Fri 14/Jun/1974    East Germany 2 (Curran(og), Streich) Australia 0
Group 1 (7:30pm bst)
ITV Highlights
Keith Macklin
*ITV had a late night 30 minute highlights programme of the day's events which was shown at 12:25am in the London area, but some regions showed it as early as 11:05pm. Australia fought well but went behind to an unfortunate own goal by Colin Curran on 56 trying to prevent a shot that may well have come back off the far post, Joachim Streich made the result safe for the East Germans, half-volleying into the roof of the net as he fell to the ground for the 2nd on 75 following a speedy build-up down the left flank. BBC1 included highlights on their late night programme at 10:45-11:30pm (with John Motson calling the East Germany match).

Sat 15/Jun/1974    Bulgaria 0 Sweden 0
Group 3 (4pm bst)
ITV LIVE
Gerald Sinstadt*
*ITV showed two live Saturday games as part of "World of Sport" and there was a "World Cup On The Ball" at 3:10pm before they joined the live feed from West Germany at 3:45pm - It was then football all the way until 8pm (aside from a five minute news bulletin at 5:50pm). Panov hit the crossbar for Bulgaria and also had a goal ruled out for offside, whilst the Swedes had two penalty appeals turned down in a fairly even contest. Many spectators decided to leave early because of a looming thunderstorm. BBC1 later showed highlights (Alan Weeks commentating). *TVTimes lists Macklin as the commentator for this match.

Sat 15/Jun/1974    Netherlands 2 (Rep 2) Uruguay 0
Group 3 (4pm bst)
ITV Highlights
Keith Macklin
*BBC1 showed this fixture live (Barry Davies commentating) as part of "World Cup Grandstand" (12:15-7:50pm), the programme also included French open tennis and racing. "World Cup Report" was shown at 1:05-1:20pm, live football coverage began at 3:50pm. The Dutch were the last team to arrive in West Germany - fuelling speculation that the players were still embroiled in a pay dispute, but thankfully the problem had been resolved before their opening fixture in which the Netherlands performance of 'Total football' was a revelation, building exciting and inventive attacks and leaving Uruguay to lunge and body-check to an extent that was remarkable even by their own notorious standards. Johnny Rep headed the Oranje ahead on 8 mins after dazzling work by star player Johan Cruijff, they had another 'goal' ruled out for offside and probably should have had a penalty late on. Uruguay were down to ten men on 67 after Julio Montero Castillo was red carded for two crude fouls in the space of a minute. The match became shooting practice for the Dutch, but they ballooned most chances over the bar and it wasn't until the 87th minute that goal number two arrived - Rensenbrinck drew out the goalkeeper and then squared to Rep who placed a shot between two defenders on the line for 2-0. Monday's Daily Mirror reported the match under the headline "Thugs of Uruguay".

Sat 15/Jun/1974    Poland 3 (Lato 2, Szarmach) Argentina 2 (Heredia, Babington)
Group 4 (6pm bst)
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns
*Coverage of ITV's 2nd live match began at 5:55pm. Prior to the game, Argentina's Roberto Telch had been accused of raping a 17 year old hotel chambermaid. When police interviewed Telch, he was quoted as saying: "I did not take the girl's resistance seriously" and Stuttgart's chief prosecutor decided not to lay charges "because there was no evidence to contradict what Telch said." The opening goal in a thrilling match was a freak gift on 7 minutes when the Argentinean keeper caught the ball from a corner on the left, but as he brought the ball down it hit the back of a defender and fell to Lato who prodded home for 1-0, three minutes later Poland went further ahead after Argentina had very carelessly given away possession in the Polish half, a swift break led to a cool finish by Szarmach for 2-0. The Poles later hit the post from a free-kick and then in the 2nd half almost scored straight from the re-start (in 16 seconds) but the finishing effort again struck the woodwork. Argentina pulled one back on 61 courtesy a nicely placed Heredia effort at the end of a neat build up, but two minutes later Lato restored Poland's two goal advantage - a poor goalkeeping throw to the left-back was intercepted and Lato pounded in a shot from an acute angle for 3-1, Argentina kept the game alive with another goal on 67 when a mass scramble in the 6 yard box culminated in Babington stabbing the ball in for 2-3. BBC1 included highlights on "World Cup Match of the Day" (called by John Motson) at 10:25-11:25pm.

Sat 15/Jun/1974    Italy 3 (Rivera, Benetti, Anastasi) Haiti 1 (Sanon)
Group 4 (6pm bst)
ITV Highlights
Gerry Harrison
*LIVE on BBC1 (David Coleman commentating) from 5:55-7:30pm. Haiti took a shock lead on 46 when Emmanuel Sanon raced clear, beat Zoff (who hadn't conceded a goal at international level in 12 matches) and passed the ball into the empty net, but the wild scenes of celebration were dampened 8 minutes later when Rivera struck an equaliser for Italy on 52 after the defence failed to clear a looping cross into the box, then on 66 Auguste defelcted in Benetti's low drive from the edge of the area into his own net for 2-1 and Anastasi finally killed off the Caribbean side by stabbing in the 3rd on 79. After the match, Haiti's Ernst Jean-Joseph tested positive for the stimulant Phenmetrazine (Preludin) and was suspended from the tournament in spite of his claims that he had been prescribed the drug for his asthma.

Sun 16/Jun/1974    "World Cup '74"
*ITV's weekend highlights/round-up show was broadcast on Sunday afternoon by all regions at 2-3pm.

Mon 17/Jun/1974    "World Cup '74"
*No fixtures were played today, but ITV had a World Cup programme scheduled for 10:25-12noon which looked back at the opening matches. Both channels showed a preview of tomorrow's action, ITV at 5:20-5:50pm (except STV who showed it at 6:10pm and HTV who opted out altogether) and BBC1 had "World Cup Report" at 6:35-6:55pm. An article in the press drew attention to concerns about players feigning injury to get opponents booked and also blatant time-wasting near the end of matches.

Tue 18/Jun/1974    West Germany 3 (Overath, Cullmann, Müller) Australia 0
Group 1 (4pm)
ITV Highlights
Keith Macklin
*BBC1 showed this LIVE (Barry Davies commentating) as part of "World Cup Grandstand" which began at 2:35pm but had horse racing from 2:45-3:55pm. Most ITV viewers probably saw highlights on the 30 minute tea-time show (but HTV and Southern opted out). The first goal on 13 was a magnificent left foot strike into the top corner by Wolfgang Overath after he picked up a loose ball mid-way inside the Australian half, Müller was unlucky not to make it two with a diving header which came back off the cross-bar but Bernd Cullmann was on the end of another cross from the right on 35 and his header found the net for 2-0, the third was a glancing header by Müller from a corner on 53. Abonyi hit the post for Australia late on but the West Germans had secured their place in the next round. Nevertheless the home fans were not impressed by their teams's performance and captain Franz Beckenbauer later had to apologise for making insulting gestures and spitting in the direction of the Hamburg fans.

Tue 18/Jun/1974    East Germany 1 (Hoffmann) Chile 1 (Ahumada)
Group 1 (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerry Harrison
*This match was played at the same time as Scotland's match with Brazil, highlights were included on both channel's late night round-up programmes. Following the protests at Chile's previous fixture, security was tightened in West Berlin and not one demonstrator was able to smuggle a banner into the stadium, but they had prepared a substitute protest - activists wearing yellow raincoats arranged themselves in the stands so as to form a giant swastika. The protesters sought to engage and encourage the 3000 carefully chosen fans who had arrived on special trains from the communist half of Berlin to join in with their chants (such as "Chile Socialista"), but the East German support obeyed strict instructions to avoid anything that might "disturb" or "discredit" their team's first participation in a World Cup tournament. Martin Hoffmann gave the East Germans the lead with a close range header on 55, Chile equalised through Sergio Ahumada on 69. The BBC commentator at the game was Alan Weeks.

Tue 18/Jun/1974    Brazil 0 Scotland 0
Group 2 (7:30pm)
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns
*Live on both channels, ITV's programme began at 7pm except in the SCOTTISH region where coverage began at 6:30pm (Arthur Montford commentated for them), the show was due to end by 9:30pm. BBC1 scheduled their programme for 6:45-9:30pm (David Coleman commentating, Archie MacPherson probably called the match for viewers in Scotland). It was an uncharacteristaclly ruthless performannce from Brazil who threatened early on, coming closest to scoring when Leivinha volleyed a shot against the crossbar from a corner. Hearing that Yugoslavia were thrashing Zaire at Half-time, Scotland then began pushing forward to test the none-too-impressive Brazilian goalkeeper, the best chance came when Joe Jordan's header from a corner was fumbled to the feet of Billy Bremner with the goal gaping, but the opportunity came too quick for Bremner who could do no more than instinctively stick out a foot and prod agonsisingly wide. Peter Lorimer went close with a number of efforts whilst at the other end David Harvey made some notably fine saves. Rivelino should have been sent off for striking Billy Bremner having already been booked. Scottish boss Willie Ormond said "We did enough to win, but the Brasilians just stopped us by fair means or foul and I felt we should have had a better deal from the referee."A draw against the World Champions was a very creditable result, but the scoreline in the other Group 2 match now meant that Scotland would have to beat Yugoslavia in their final fixture as Brazil would be expected to beat Zaire by more than two goals.

Tue 18/Jun/1974    Yugoslavia 9 (Bajevic 3, Džajic, Šurjak, Katalinski, Bogicevic, Oblak, Petkovic) Zaire 0
Group 2 (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerald Sinstadt
*Both ITV and BBC1 had a late night Tuesday highlights show, BBC1 from 10:30-11:15pm and ITV from 11pm-midnight. ITV also had a lengthy programme the following morning (10:25am-12noon). A completely one-sided match saw Yugoslavia equal Hungary's record breaking World Cup finals win v South Korea in 1954, they were 3-0 up in 17 minutes through Bajevic (a header at the far post on 8), Džajic (from a direct free-kick on 14) and Šurjak (shooting on the turn to score as Sinstadt declared "They are deadly!"). Zaire's response was to substitute the goalkeeper, but his first touch was to pick the 4th goal out of the net scored by Katalinski on 28, Zaire protested and were reduced to ten men as Ndayé received a straight red card for appearing to kick the referee, Bajevic headed his 2nd on 30 and a Bogicevic header on 38 gave Yugoslavia a 6-0 HT lead. Oblak thundered in a free-kick on 51 for number 7, Petkovic was first capitalise on a loose ball on the edge of the D to make it 8-0 on 65 and a volley from Bajevic completed his hat-trick with the final goal on 81. The BBC commentator was John Motson. It was later revealed that, before the match, the Zaire team initially refused to play when they learnt that they were not going to be paid.

Wed 19/Jun/1974    Netherlands 0 Sweden 0
Group 3 (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerald Sinstadt
*Wednesday saw all four Group 3&4 fixtures kick off at the same time,  BBC opted to show this Group 3 match LIVE with David Coleman commentating in a programme also promising athletics (6:40-9:30pm). Sweden were on the end of a constant barrage of attacks but had the best chances, Johan Cruijff was man of the match and produced an iconic moment of skill which became known as the "Cruijff turn" - Cruijff looked as though he had no option but to try and beat Gunnar Olsson in the space facing away from goal, but in one magical movement he 'side-heeled' the ball back the other way behind his standing foot, swivelled his entire body in the same direction and took off with Olsson seemingly left marking an invisible man (see capture).

Wed 19/Jun/1974    Bulgaria 1 (Bonev) Uruguay 1 (Pavoni)
Group 3 (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Keith Macklin
*Both channels showed highlights during their late night World Cup programmes. Uruguay were much better behaved than in their previous match but were still reluctant to come out of their defensive shell, Bonev put Bulgaria into a 75th minute lead with a diving header after good work by Voinov on the right flank, but Pavoni kept Uruguay in the tournament with an equaliser on 87 by driving in a low shot from the left after Bulgaria had carelessly surrendered possession in their own half. BBC commentator was John Motson.

Wed 19/Jun/1974    Argentina 1 (Houseman) Italy 1 (Perfumo(og))
Group 4 (7:30pm)
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns
*Coverage of ITV's live match was scheduled for 7:00-9:30pm (Most regions had a half-hour tea-time preview show too). This was an eagerly anticipated clash which Argentina could not afford to lose and probably needed to win, Houseman gave Argentina the lead on 19 when he ran onto a ball into the box and half-volleyed a fine shot past Zoff from the left, but Italy were gifted an equaliser on 36 - Carnevali appeared to have a cross by Rivera towards Bonetti covered, but his captain Perfumo turned the ball into his own net. Italy became frustrated in the 2nd half but the anticipated aggro between the players failed to materialise and it was a disappointing match. BBC highlights were called by Barry Davies.

Wed 19/Jun/1974    Poland 7 (Lato 2, Deyna, Szarmach 3, Gorgon) Haiti 0
Group 4 (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerry Harrison
*BBC had a late programme scheduled to include both World cup action and athletics at 10:30-11:55pm, ITV's highlights show went out at 11pm-midnight. Poland easily swept aside Haiti scoring 5 goals in the space of 34 minutes, Lato netted the opener on 17 by stabbing home from a chip into the box, Deyna glanced in a header from a corner for the 2nd on 19, Szarmach headed in from another corner for 3-0 on 30, Gorgon drove in an indirect free-kick from 25-yards out on 32 for goal number 4, Szarmach slotted home past the advancing keeper on 34 to make it 5-0 for HT. Two further goals followed in the 2nd half, Szarmach with yet another headed goal from a corner for his hat-trick on 50 and Lato made it 7-0 on 67. BBC commenator was Alan Weeks.

Thu 20/Jun/1974    "World Cup '74"
*No fixtures today, but ITV had another morning slot scheduled for 10:25-12noon and both channels had round-up programmes around tea-time; ITV at 5:20-5:50pm (except STV who showed it at 6:30pm and HTV & Southern who opted out) and BBC1 with "World Cup Report" at 6:50-7:10pm.

Fri 21/Jun/1974    "World Cup '74"
*Again, ITV had a morning World Cup slot 10:25-12noon. There was another ITV tea-time round-up/preview for most regions at 5:20-5:50pm, BBC1 had a short "World Cup Report" at 6:45-7pm.

Game 3

Sat 22/Jun/1974    Scotland 1 (Jordan) Yugoslavia 1 (Karasi)
Group 2 (4pm)
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns
*Both channels showed this fixture LIVE, ITV as part of "World of Sport" which also included "World Cup On The Ball" at 3:10-3:45pm, followed by the live coverage from Frankfurt which ran until 6:05pm. BBC1's "World Cup Grandstand" began at 1:30pm, but other sports followed "World Cup Report" (which finished at 1:50pm) until they re-focussed on football from 3:50pm. Scotland's preparation for this vital match was hardly ideal, a letter in the name of the IRA threatening to assassinate two protestant players reached their hotel in the days leading up to the game and the Scottish players had to be accompanied by armed guards and low-flying helicopters wherever they went. It was win or bust for Scotland as they could not rely on Zaire to prevent Brazil from registering a result which would see them finish with a superior goal-difference. Nevertheless, the Scots (playing in all white) were confident that they would go through and Joe Jordan was presented with a great chance to give them a first half lead when a Yugoslav defender failed to deal with a ball into the box and left Jordan with just the keeper to beat from 7 yards out, but a poor finish with his weak foot allowed the keeper to push the ball away to safety. Despite the hot humid conditions and the less than honourable tactics of the Slavs, Scotland were well on top come half-time, but no Scotland opener was forthcoming in the 2nd half and on 82 their chances appeared to be dead and buried when a fresh-off-the-bench Karasi headed Yugoslavia into the lead. With Brazil thought to be still only 2-0 ahead, Joe Jordan restored real hope with an equaliser on 89 following a good build up down the middle of the park before Tommy Hutchison sent in a low cross from the byline on the left which deflected off Peter Lorimer to the feet of Joe Jordan who scored with a downward half-volley, but when the final whistle blew the electronic scoreboard flashed up a result of Brazil 3 Zaire 0 to confirm that Scotland had become the first team in the history of the World Cup finals to exit without losing a match. Scuffles had broken out between rival supporters towards the end of the game which resulted in 4 arrests and 12 people being treated in hospital for minor injuries including a Yugoslavia fan who was stabbed in the chest with a broken bottle, but the behaviour of the Scottish support was generally very good. David Hay and Willie Morgan would not play for Scotland again, but - along with the rest of the squad - they were at least able to enjoy the consolation of a heroes welcome home. David Coleman commentated for those tuned to BBC1 whilst viewers in Scotland most likely heard Arthur Montford on STV and Archie MacPherson on BBC1.

Sat 22/Jun/1974    Brazil 3 (Jairzinho, Rivelino, Valdomiro) Zaire 0
Group 2 (4pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerald Sinstadt
*Jairzinho opened the scoring on 13 with a low-half volley, Rivelino made it 2-0 on 67 with a powerful shot into the roof of the net from just outside the area, the crucially important 3rd goal was a sickener for Scottish fans (when they eventually saw it) as Valdomiro's cross from the right was badly fumbled into the net by Zaire goalkeeper Kazadi (though he was possibly still dazed after a nasty kick to the neck area a few minutes earlier). Then came one of the funniest and best known incidents in World Cup history - Brazil won a free-kick just outside the D, but when the referee blew his whistle for the the kick to be taken, Zaire's right-back Mwepu Ilunga sprinted from the wall and kicked the ball away before a Brazilian player had even touched it. Ilunga was booked for his actions, but his rush of blood to the head was perhaps understandable in the context of threats made against his team by Zaire's president after their humiliating 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia, the Leopards were facing the prospect of being unable to return home and never seeing their families again if they lost to Brazil by more than three goals. Happily for them, when the free-kick was re-taken, it hit the wall, bounced to safety and Zaire held out for the remainder of the match. President Mobutu later withdrew Zaire from the following World Cup, but he himself was forced to flee the country in 1997 and Zaire then became known as the Democratic Republic of Congo. John Motson voiced this match for the BBC.

Group 2 Final Table
1. Yugoslavia   +9  4
2. Brazil       +3  4
3. Scotland     +2  4
4. Zaire        -14 0

Sat 22/Jun/1974    Australia 0 Chile 0
Group 1 (4pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerry Harrison
*A drab match most memorable for a brief delay early in the 2nd half when a group of pitch invaders ran across the field to place a flag bearing the slogan "Chile Socialists" on the centre circle after a heavy burst of monsoon-like rainfall saw the police leave their positions and seek shelter, Chile's TV broadcasters were initially caught off guard by the protest before they decided to interrupt the live pictures with a notice announcing a "technical difficulty". Australia's Ray Richards was sent off on 83 by a referee who had mistakenly shown Richards a 2nd yellow card 4 minutes earlier having already booked him in the first half. Alan Weeks voiced proceedings for the BBC.

Sat 22/Jun/1974    West Germany 0 East Germany 1 (Sparwasser)
Group 1 (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Keith Macklin
*Broadcast LIVE on BBC1 (7:15-9:25pm) with Barry Davies commentating. This historic match was the first and only encounter between East and West Germany, both teams were already guaranteed a place in the next phase after the Australia v Chile match had ended in a draw earlier in the day. West Germany dominated the game, but on 77 minutes Erich Hamann floated a long pass to the edge of the box which was picked up by Jürgen Sparwasser who made space and an angle for himself from which to fire a shot into the roof of the net for 1-0. At the end of the match ITV's Keith Macklin decalred "If there has been any political gain at all from this game of football, it's certainly gone East.", yet there were mixed emotions for the East German public who generally associated their national side with the oppressive communist regime, matchwinner Jürgen Sparwasser later fled to the West whilst taking part in a veteran's tour in 1988. BBC1 were the only channel to show Saturday night highlights of the day's matches which went out as "World Cup Match Of The Day" at 11:50pm-12:35am. ITV saved highlights of the Saturday fixtures for the opening 50 minutes of their 3 hour Sunday afternoon World Cup programme. Despite making it through to the next phase, West German fans were clearly not happy and the team was booed on the way to a training session the following week.

Group 1 Final Table
1. East Germany +3  5
2. West Germany +3  4
3. Chile        -1  2
4. Australia    -5  1

Sun 23/Jun/1974    Netherlands 4 (Neeskens 2(2pens), Rep, de Jong) Bulgaria 1 (Krol(og))
Group 3 (4pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerald Sinstadt
*All four of today's Group 3 & 4 fixtures kicked off at the same time, BBC1 selected this match as their LIVE offering which meant all three Netherlands matches so far were exclusively live on the BBC (David Coleman commentated). Group 3 was still wide open and the Dutch would have gone out had they lost, but backed by some 35,000 Oranje supporters they won in convincing fashion. Ironically, after a penalty had yet to be awarded in the tournament, Johan Neeskens netted three first half spot kicks, the first on 8 (given for a trip on Cruijff) was ruled out because a Dutch player was standing in the area, but the re-take counted for 1-0. Neeskens' 3rd spot-kick on 45 was won by Jansen, brought down as he sprinted into the box, Neeskens again blasted into the top left corner for 2-0. Johnny Rep volleyed in goal number three on 71 after a Cruijff free-kick on the right was only nodded away by a defender towards the scorer. Rudi Krol netted an own goal under pressure from Bonev on 78 but substitute Theo de Jong sealed the win for the Dutch on 88 by diving full-length to head in a centre by Cruijff for 4-1.

Sun 23/Jun/1974    Sweden 3 (Edström 2, Sandberg) Uruguay 0
Group 3 (4pm)
ITV Highlights
Keith Macklin
*With the score 0-0 at half-time, Sweden had now played two and a half matches without seeing a goal scored at either end, but a breakthrough finally came just 20 seconds into the 2nd half - Uruguay didn't touch the ball as the Swedes built up a neat seven pass move that led to Edström's half-volleyed drive for 1-0, then on 74 the Uruguay defence were tricked by a dummy-run over the ball and Sandberg was then free to place a low shot wide of the keeper into the far left corner for number 2, the third goal came as a result of a swift break - a long ball across the box was poked back to Edström who was left with an open goal to make it 3-0 on 78. The Uruguay manager quit after the match saying "It is a sad day for South American football, the Europeans are on top." John Motson commentated for the BBC.

Group 3 Final Table
1. Netherlands  +5  5
2. Sweden       +3  4
3. Bulgaria     -3  2
4. Uruguay      -5  1

Sun 23/Jun/1974    Poland 2 (Szarmach, Deyna) Italy 1 (Capello)
Group 4 (4pm)
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns
*ITV's LIVE Sunday match was included on a three hour programme from 3pm-6pm (the first 50 minutes included highlights from the previous day as well as a 'World Cup phone-in'). Poland had already qualified, Italy needed a draw (which was all Poland needed to take top spot), yet by half-time the 1970 World Cup runners-up were facing a shock early exit. Italy began well but the Poles took the lead on 38 when Szarmach ran onto a ball floated into the centre of the box and headed into the top right corner of the net, then on 45 a brilliant snap shot by Deyna flew past Zoff for 2-0. Anastasi hit the post early in the 2nd half and it wasn't until the 86th minute that Fabio Capello pulled one back, latching onto Anastasi's forward chip into the area before prodding in for 1-2, but Poland finished up as the only nation to take maximum points from the opening phase matches and Italy were out. After the match, the Italian fans pelted the team bus with missiles and 3,500 angry fans were waiting for them at Milan airport to greet the team with chants of "Buffoons, Buffoons", one fan was reported to have been so angry that he threw his TV set out of the window, although - unlike 1966 - no tomatoes were thrown at the team as they left the airport (via a back gate) because, as one fan explained, "Tomatoes cost too much these days". Barry Davies was assigned to cover the game for the BBC.

Sun 23/Jun/1974    Argentina 4 (Yazalde, Houseman, Ayala, Yazalde) Haiti 1 (Sanon)
Group 4 (4pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerry Harrison
*Both channels included footage from this game on their Sunday night highlights programmes, BBC1 were first on air with the football at 9:55-10:40pm, ITV's show went out at 11:15pm-12:15am. Haiti began well but Argentina grabbed the first goal through Yazalde who hammered in from a re-bound off the keeper on 15, three minutes later Houseman beat a limping right-back to score the 2nd on 18. Argentina must have been buoyed by news of Italy struggling at HT and Ayala made it 3-0 on 55, but a fine strike by Sanon on 63 pulled it back to 1-3, four minutes later Yazalde sealed the win for Argentina and when Italy's defeat was confirmed, the South American's had earned an unexpected passage into the 2nd phase. Alan Weeks called the match for the BBC.

Group 4 Final Table
1. Poland       +9  6
2. Argentina    +2  3
3. Italy        +1  3
4. Haiti        -12 0

Mon 24/Jun/1974    "World Cup '74"
*No fixtures today but most ITV regions had two programmes, the first at 11am-12noon, the 2nd at 5:20-5:50pm (HTV and Southern opting out of the tea-time show, STV as ever - showing it around an hour later). BBC1 now had to squeeze their coverage inbetween Wimbledon tennis action, "Wimbledon 74 & World Cup Report" was billed for 6:15-7:20pm.

Tue 25/Jun/1974    "World Cup '74"
*Another day off for the players, ITV had a morning programme of highlights at 10:25-12noon plus a tea-time preview for most regions at 5:20-5:50pm, BBC1's preview was again mixed in with the tennis at 6:15-7:15pm.

Second Round
Game 4

Wed 26/Jun/1974    West Germany 2 (Breitner, Müller) Yugoslavia 0
Group B (4pm)
ITV LIVE
Gerald Sinstadt
*All four opening Second Round group games were played on the same day, only one of which kicked-off in the afternoon and ITV covered it LIVE from 3:40-6pm. This was a very much improved performance from West Germany following a pre-match verbal attack by captain Franz Beckanbauer, accusing his team-mates of not being good enough or not trying enough. West Germany had all the chances in the game as Yugoslavia offered very little, there was a bizarre moment on 35 when West Germany's Wolfgang Overath (already booked) continued to protest long after a free-kick had already been given his way, the referee became so fed up that he stamped his foot and decided to give the free-kick to Yugoslavia instead! The hosts opened the scoring on 39, a patient build-up found Paul Breitner in a centre-left position and he cut inside before unleashing a super shot for a 1:0 HT lead. Gerd Müller secured the points for West Germany on 77 having seemingly missed the chance when he slid to meet a byline pull-back from Hoeneß, the ball was trickling wide with Müller lying on the ground, yet he still had time to stretch out a leg and scoop it home for 2:0. Müller had the ball in the net again before full-time but this effort was disallowed. John Motson commentated for BBC highlights shown later that night.

Wed 26/Jun/1974    Netherlands 4 (Cruijff 2, Krol, Rep) Argentina 0
Group A (7:30pm)
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns
*ITV's 2nd LIVE match coverage was broadcast at 7:00-9:30pm. A breathtakingly brilliant performance by the Dutch saw them take the lead in the 11th minute when a delicate chip into the box put Johan Cruijff clear to round the keeper and pass into the empty net from a wide angle. With Argentina's goalkeeper Carnevali apparently fond of going walkies, the Oranje had three notable efforts (including one cleared off the line and another ruled out for offside) before Rudi Krol shot through a crowd of players for 2-0 following a corner on 25. With torrential rain falling in the 2nd half (see capture), Cruijff crossed from the left for Johnny Rep on the right to beat the keeper with a near-post header on 73, the 4th was a fabulous audacious volley from Cruijff wide on the left after a one-two attack in the box was saved and re-bounded into the path of the scorer. Barry Davies commentated for highlights on BBC1.

Wed 26/Jun/1974    Brazil 1 (Rivelino) East Germany 0
Group A (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerry Harrison
*This was BBC1's sole LIVE match today with coverage from 6:15-9:30pm, David Coleman commentated on a very disappointing match and during the half-time break over on ITV Brian Moore - with apparent relish in his voice - told viewers watching the Netherlands that the Brazil v East Germany match was "by all accounts colourless". The only moment of brilliance from a leaden Brazil was the 2nd half goal scored by Rivelino on 61 direct from a free-kick which appeared to cut through the wall like a knife through melted butter, but the replay revealed that a Brazilian player standing in the wall dived to the floor as the kick was taken and with pin-point accuracy Rivalino's strike whistled through the gap and left the keeper watching as a mere spectator. It was only after going behind that East Germany came into the contest, clearing the crossbar from 10 yards out with their best chance to avoid their first defeat in 17 matches.

Wed 26/Jun/1974    Poland 1 (Lato) Sweden 0
Group B (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Keith Macklin
*ITV included highlights of this match on their 11:00-midnight programme. Despite the presence of hosts West Germany in Group B, Poland were now being tipped by many to meet the Netherlands in the final. The winning goal in their opening Phase Two match came on 44 as a result of a high looping ball across the goal area which was headed back from the far byline into the path of Lato to head in for 1-0. Sweden dominated the first 30 minutes of the 2nd half and then won a harsh penalty on 64 when Polish defender Gorgon appeared to have cleanly robbed Torstensson, but Tomaszewski pushed away Tapper's spot-kick with his finger-tips. Alan Weeks commentated for BBC1 who had a highlights programme at the earlier time of 10:25-11pm.

Thu 27/Jun/1974    "World Cup '74"
*Highlights of yesterday's matches were featured on ITV's morning programme at 10:25-12noon and a tea-time show for most regions at 5:20-5:50pm. BBC1 refelcted on the competition during "Wimbledon 1974 And World Cup Report" at 6:15-7:40pm.

Fri 28/Jun/1974    "World Cup '74"
*Two programmes for ITV viewers today, the first at 10:25-12noon, the 2nd (with the usual exceptions) at 5:20-5:50pm. BBC included World cup news in another joint Tennis & Football show at 6:15-7:35pm.

Sat 29/Jun/1974    "World Cup On The Ball"
*Surprisingly, the organisers saw fit to play all this weekend's matches on Sunday (with 3 of the 4 games kicking off in the afternoon). ITV's Saturday "World Of Sport" included a "World Cup On The Ball" from 3:20-3:40pm whilst BBC1's "Grandstand" only had a 10 minute "World Cup Report" from 12:35pm. One Sunday newspaper noted that commentators were using "Situation" as their new vogue word, ie a "Free-kick" was no longer just a free-kick, it was now a "Free-kick situation".

Game 5

Sun 30/Jun/1974    Netherlands 2 (Neeskens, Rensenbrink) East Germany 0
Group A (4pm)
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns
*ITV covered the Netherlands LIVE for the first time in a broadcast beginning at 3pm (including a World Cup phone-in) and running until 6:05pm. East Germany's tactics of placing 9 men behind the ball & man-to-man marking failed to contain the dutch who took an early lead from a corner, the first finishing effort was cleared off the line but the ball eventually fell to Neeskens who low-volleyed home for 1-0. The 2nd goal came on 59 with Rensenbrink shooting wide of the keeper from the edge of the box. The BBC commentator for highlights later in the day was David Coleman.

Sun 30/Jun/1974    Poland 2 (Deyna(pen), Lato) Yugoslavia 1 (Karasi)
Group B (4pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerry Harrison
*Underlining Poland's impact on the World Cup, BBC1 opted to show this match live rather than Brazil v Argentina, coverage ran from 3:45-6:05pm with John Motson commentating. Poland took the lead with a penalty on 27 given for an off the ball incident which occurred as Yugoslavia were in the process of clearing the ball after a free-kick had rebounded off their defensive wall, the TV camera just caught sight of Karasi clearly kicking out at Szarmach in the area (see pic), but it was lucky for Poland that the hawk-eye referee spotted it as the crowd were following the ball and were clearly surprised by the decision - from which Deyna's tame spot-kick managed to bulge the net for 1-0. Gadocha then almost scored the goal of the tournament, running past three Slav defenders on the left before beating the keeper, but his finish from a wide angle hit the side-netting and Gadocha ended up crashing into the photographers behind the goal. Villain turned hero Karasi equalised for Yugoslavia on 43 by turning nicely onto a ball into the box before side stepping the keeper and finishing into the empty net. The 2nd half was greeted by the now familiar sight of torrential rain which appeared to knock Poland out of their stride, but Lato netted the winner on 63 with a flick-header from a corner.

Sun 30/Jun/1974    Brazil 2 (Rivelino, Jairzinho) Argentina 1 (Brindisi)
Group A (4pm)
ITV Highlights
Keith Macklin
*A much improved performance from Brazil (playing in blue) who took the lead through Rivelino's low swerving drive from the edge of the box on 32, Argentina soon equalised on 35 with a direct free-kick by Brindisi which looped over the keeper and dropped in off the underside of the cross-bar, Jairzinho netted what turned out to be the winning goal just after HT on 48, heading in Ze Maria's cross from the right. Alan Weeks commentated for BBC highlights.

Sun 30/Jun/1974    West Germany 4 (Overath, Bonhof, Grabowski, Hoeneß(pen)) Sweden 2 (Edström, Sandberg)
Group B (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerald Sinstadt
*BBC showed this match LIVE with Barry Davies commentating in a programme scheduled for 7:25-9:20pm. The hosts pushed hard for the opener but it was Sweden who scored first with a terrific goal on 25 - Edström volleying in from the left edge of the box after the Germans had headed away a long free-kick into the area. Overath netted a deserved equaliser on 51 by striking a loose ball through a crowded area, Bonhof made it 2-1 just 90 seconds later with a shot that ricocheted off both posts before rolling over the line, the 2nd half goals continued to come as fast as the rain as Sandberg levelled up at 2-2 another minute later as the German defence failed to cut out a ball into the box and Sandberg was left to drive in a low shot into the far corner. On 77 Müller lost possession near the penalty spot but the ball found its way to substitute Grabowski to shoot home for 3-2, finally Müller was tripped just inside the area on 89 and Hoeneß made it 4-2 by slotting home the spot-kick. ITV had a Sunday night 11:15pm-12:15am highlights programme covering all four matches and including a report from Sir Alf Ramsey (who incidentally was chaperoned in West Germany by Martin Tyler - still yet to break into an ITV commentating role), BBC1 had a very late show with Jimmy Hill at 12:05-12:45am.

Mon 01/Jul/1974    "World Cup '74"
*Two ITV programmes to reflect on Game 5 weekend, the first at 10:25-12noon, the 2nd at 5:20-5:50pm (except HTV & Southern who opted out and STV who continued to show the tea-time shows an hour or so later). BBC1 were covering week two of the Wimbledon Tennis championships and therefore included a World Cup report along with Tennis at 6:15-7:20pm.

Tue 02/Jul/1974
*Although Phase Two was a group round, the results and fixtures worked out to effectively create a pair of Semi-finals - The Netherlands v Brazil and West Germany v Poland . The Netherlands and West Germany did however have the advantage of a favourable goal difference and could therefore afford a draw to go through. ITV, as usual, had a lengthy morning programme at 10:25-12noon and then a preview of the decisive Phase Two matches for most regions at 5:20-5:50pm .
 

Game 6

Wed 03/Jul/1974    West Germany 1 (Müller) Poland 0
Group B (4:30pm)
ITV LIVE
Gerry Harrison
*The winners of Group B would be decided first with the hosts' match kicking off in the afternoon - although it was delayed from its' original KO time of 4pm because of a waterlogged pitch. West German TV ended up showing live pictures of groundsmen attempting to remove the water with 'squeegees' accompanied by testcard music and a large caption announcing that the game would now start at 4:30pm, they even resorted to using 'Dancing Groundsmen' video tape effects!. Unlike BBC1, ITV showed BOTH of today's key matches LIVE, coverage began at 3:50pm and probably overran until 6:30pm. Poland adapted best to the appalling conditions in an attack minded first half and West German goalkeeper Sepp Maier had to be in top form to keep them out, including a save from Lato who was through in a one on one. The hosts came more into the match in the 2nd half and won a penalty on 53 when Zmuda fouled Hölzenbein, but Hoeneß saw his spot kick saved by Tomaszewski. Poland had to score to go through to the final, but Gerd Müller netted the only goal of the game on 76 after a Polish defensive tackle only managed to push the ball into Müller's path and allowing him time to pick his spot for 1-0. It was later claimed that at HT the water was mainly cleared from the Polish goal area to give the Germans an attacking advantage. BBC1 first showed highlights of the match at around 6:50pm during their evening sports broadcast with Barry Davies commentating.

Wed 03/Jul/1974    Sweden 2 (Edström, Torstensson) Yugoslavia 1 (Šurjak)
Group B (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Gerald Sinstadt
*Neither side could make the 3rd place play off, let alone the final, and so they were merely playing for pride. Šurjak put the Slavs ahead on 27 scoring from close range at the end of a cross by Djazic from the left, but Edström equalised three minutes later and Torstensson scored a late winner for the Swedes on 85. John Motson commentated for BBC highlights.

Group B Final Table
1. West Germany +5  6
2. Poland       +1  4
3. Sweden       -2  2
4. Yugoslavia   -4  0

Wed 03/Jul/1974    Netherlands 2 (Neeskens, Cruijff) Brazil 0
Group A (7:30pm)
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns
*Coverage of the 2nd psuedo 'semi-final' was scheduled to start on ITV at 7pm (though it may have been delayed), BBC1 also showed the match live (with David Coleman commentating) and both channels' coverage was due to end at 9:30pm. The Dutch wore white with orange socks, Brazil changed to blue. Both sides had good chances in an ill-tempered match with the Brazilians comitting the majority of the fouls - If they hadn't already cast a dark shadow over their marvellous displays in Mexico, they certainly did so in this game; Cruijff was rugby tackled by Ze Maria, Neeskens was elbowed in the face in an off the ball incident, Jansen was floored by a dangerous blatant body check and Luis Pereira was sent off on 84 for hacking down Neeskens having already been booked earlier in the match for starting an ugly scuffle, Pereira also foolishly remonstrated with members of the crowd as he left the field. The Dutch were presented with the best scoring opportunity of the 1st half but a low finishing effort was brilliantly saved, Brazil very nearly took the lead through an own goal as a last ditch tackle sent the ball bobbling millimetres wide of the post (this whilst Neeskens lay flat out on the turf following the elbowing incident). Early in the 2nd half, on 50 minutes, the Netherlands won a free-kick in their own half, which they took quickly and built up a move on the right before the ball was centred by Cruijff for Neeskens who stretched to get in a shot that looped over the keeper and in for 1-0, 15 minutes later the Oranje sealed the victory - Good work on the left led to a cross by Rensenbrink for Cruijff to volley home brilliantly from close range on 65 (see capture). The Netherlands would now meet current European champions West Germany in the final, Brazil had been beaten in the World Cup for the first time (including qualifiers) since losing to Portugal in 1966.

Wed 03/Jul/1974    Argentina 1 (Houseman) East Germany 1 (Streich)
Group A (7:30pm)
ITV Highlights
Keith Macklin
*Highlights of this meaningless match were included on both channels late night programmes, BBC1 aired theirs at 10:25-11:10pm, ITV at 11pm-midnight. In a scrappy game, Streich headed East Germany ahead on 14, Houseman equalised on 21. Alan Weeks called the match for the BBC.

Group A Final Table
1. Netherlands  +8  6
2. Brazil        0  4
3. East Germany -3  1
4. Argentina    -5  1

Thu 04/Jul/1974    "World Cup '74"
*A shorter 60 minute morning round-up for ITV at 11am-12noon. Later today, Don Revie agreed to become the new England manager at around 4:45pm in a meeting held in the Leeds United boardroom, presumably ITV were able to announce this on their tea-time programme shown by most regions at 5:20-5:50pm. BBC1 scheduled a World Cup report during Wimbledon coverage at 6:15-7:40pm, but the BBC were now facing strike action which threatened to black out their coverage of the final.

Fri 05/Jul/1974    "World Cup '74"
*ITV screened another morning programme at 10:25am-12noon and most regions had a tea-time preview of the final at 5:20-5:50pm. BBC1 were scheduled to include a World Cup report during Wimbledon coverage at 6:15-7:30pm, but it may have been cancelled as a result of strike action.

3rd/4th place play off

Sat 06/Jul/1974    Poland 1 (Lato) Brazil 0
Munich, 4pm
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns
*Both channels showed the Play Off LIVE, ITV as part of "World of Sport" from 3:45, BBC1 scheduled it for inclusion on "Grandstand" with David Coleman commentating along with a World Cup Preview at 1:35-1:50pm, the match was due to follow the Wimbledon men's singles final (which  would not have overrun as Jimmy Connors won easily in straight sets). BBC1 also scheduled "World Cup Final Preview and Match of the Week" at 10:15-11:10pm, presumably - if not blacked out by the strike - the programme included some footage of the Play Off too. Brazil's best chance came in the 2nd half when Rivelino hit the post from close range with the Polish defence seemingly expecting an offside decision, Lato scored the winner on 77 following an incredible burst of pace which saw him run from inside his own half into the Brazilian box before slotting in his 7th goal of the tournament (Lato finished up as the competition's top scorer). 3rd place was no more than Poland deserved and the team returned home as heroes, but it was a very different story in Brazil where there were reports of mock coffins being carried through the streets to signify the burying of reputations and of efforts to vandalise the home of manager Mario Zagalo.

The Final

Sun 07/Jul/1974    West Germany 2 (Breitner(pen), Müller) Netherlands 1 (Neeskens(pen))
Munich, 4pm
ITV LIVE
Hugh Johns & Alf Ramsey
*ITV were first on air from 2:50-6:30pm (including the closing ceremony), BBC1 coverage ran from 3:00-6:35pm (commentator David Coleman with Don Revie). The kick-off was slightly delayed after English referee Jack Taylor noticed that the corner flags were missing. Within a minute of the game starting, Taylor bravely awarded a penalty against the hosts, the Germans hadn't even touched the ball when Johan Cruijff collected a pass in the centre circle and set off on a run past Berti Vogts which took him into the box where he was brought crashing down by a blatant leg-up from Hoeneß 53 seconds into the game, Neeskens struck the spot kick straight down the middle as Maier dived forlornly to his right, 1-0. Vogts was booked in the 3rd minute for two fouls in 15 seconds on Cruijff, but Vogts continued to man-mark the Dutch captain and kept him quiet for the rest of the half. The Dutch toyed with the Germans for 20 minutes without making any inroads, then on 23 Gerd Müller clashed with Wim Rijsbergen and left the Dutch player apparently injured, Müller was faintly pushed away from protesting to the referee by Wim Van Hanegem but the German made the most of the contact by comically throwing himself to the ground and succeeded in getting Van Hanegem booked, Two minutes later, Jack Taylor had to point to the penalty spot again, this time at the other end, West Germany had intercepted a byline pull back in their own box and launched a counter attack, a nice pass found Bernd Hölzenbein wide on the left and he set upon a skilful run into the area and was up-ended by a late desperate lunge by Wim Jansen, Paul Breitner took the spot-kick and placed it accurately into the bottom left corner to equalise, 1-1. The Germans then had their best spell of the game, Vogts got clear following a one-two and half-volleyed a fierce shot which was acrobatically pushed away by Jan Jongbloed, the Netherlands might have regained the lead on 38 in a two on one situation in which Cruijff ran at a back peddling Beckenbauer before setting up Neeskens who's point blank shot was well saved by Maier, but a 2nd German goal came on 43 - Bonhof skipped away from a defender on the right wing and pulled back a hopeful low centre, it was brought to a halt by Gerd Müller who, facing away from goal, re-positioned himself with great balance over the dead ball to get in an awkward snap shot from about 10 yards out that rolled wide of Jongbloed and into the net for 2-1, it was Müller's 14th goal in World Cup tournaments (beating Just Fontaine's record of 13) typically celebrated with his impression of a grasshopper. Cruijff argued with the referee as the players walked off the pitch at HT and received a yellow card before they reached the tunnel.

The Dutch were much improved in the 2nd half and focussed on attack, Breitner headed off the line as Sepp Maier mis-timed a punch from a corner and Maier then saved well from a diving Van Hanagem header at the end of a Dutch free-kick. West Germany still created chances and appeared to take a 3-1 lead - Grabowski centred from the right for Müller who turned and finished well from close range, but the goal was incorrectly ruled out - either for offside or handball, yet the replay clearly showed that Müller was well onside and had brought the ball under control with his thigh. The Dutch continued to press for the equaliser and came close when a long looping cross from the left was powerfully volleyed at goal by Neeskens, but Maier was able to get enough of his body behind it to block, the Netherlands came closer still when a cross behind the defence was met by the outstretched orange stockinged leg of Neeskens and the ball flashed inches wide with Maier beaten. Next, Cruijff robbed Grabowski and sent Rep away on the right, Rep decided to try his luck and shot just wide across the face of the goal. West Germany should have had a late penalty when Hölzenbein was tripped by Jansen inside the box late in the game, but play was waved on and Neeskens had one last effort at goal which was just wide and the match ended 2-1.

Twenty years earlier, West Germany had come from behind to deny the great Hungary team in the 1954 World Cup final, now in 1974 they done the same to the widely acclaimed Netherlands, yet although West Germany hadn't shone as brightly as the Dutch over the course of this tournament, they had been the best team in Europe over the last 4 years and their success was well deserved. Johan Cruijff said afterwards "I am disappointed with the performance - For 30 minutes in the 1st half we played like schoolchildren... I will never play in a World Cup again, by 1978 I will not only be too old, but I never want to be away from my family for so long.", West German manager Helmet Schoen said "If they had been the better team they - and not West Germany - would be World Champions. If anything, I think the Dutch suffered from over-confidence, I think they believed they were already champions before the game started." The result was particularly tough on Wim Van Hanegam who had lost close family members in the 2nd World War, he left the field in tears and was quoted as saying "They murdered my father, sister and two brothers. I am full of angst. I hate them". BBC strike action by production assistants, which threatened to pull their live coverage off the air, resulted in the loss of a BBC1 highlights programme scheduled for 10-11pm (Despite one newspaper reporting in advance that it would be pulled, the programme still appeared in the Sunday TV schedules and managerial staff kept the studio running, but their efforts were apparently 'blacked out'). ITV didn't have a highlights show scheduled, but may have decided to add one at the last minute.

Links
ITV regional football highlights 1968-83 home page
German TV coverage of World Cup '74 - This links to a Google translation (original German version here)
1974 World Cup stats

Page last updated November 2009