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07th Jul 2010

From the vault: Great World Cup semi-finals, part 2

With five goals were scored in extra-time, the Mexico 1970 World Cup semi-final was so dramatic that it came to be known as 'The Game of the Century.'

JOE

Italy 4-3 West Germany (1970)

By Conor Hogan

The date was 17 June 1970, the place was the Azteca Stadium, MexicoCity.

The semi-final between Germany and Italy in 1970 was so dramatic and extraordinary, that it came to be known as ‘The Game of the Century’. Roberto Boninsegna opened the scoring for Italy in the eighth minute, and they lead until the 91st minute, when German equalised to take the game to extra-time.

That goal was scored by Karl-Heinz Schnellinger – his first and only goal for his country, and the German commentator Ernst Huberty yelled; “Schnellinger of all people.” The game was 1-1 at full-time but in extra-time, it went crazy.

Gerd Muller put the Germans ahead in the 94th minute, before Tarcisio Burgnich equalised for the Italians four minutes later. In the 104th minute Luigi Riva put the Italians ahead, before Muller equalised six minutes later.

As television replays were still showing Muller’s strike, Gianni Rivera scored Italy’s fourth and what proved to be decisive goal. To date, it remains the only match in World Cup history where five goals were scored in extra-time.