Gerd Muller scores the goal that wins the World Cup for the hosts

The hosts had some great players such as Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller, but it was Holland's Johan Cruyff who finished as player of the tournament.

But not even Cruyff could deny West Germany on home soil, and this after Holland scored a first-minute opener.

Goals from Paul Breitner and Muller secured a 2-1 victory, West Germany's second title, and saw them lift the new trophy that is still in use today.

Off the pitch there was little harmony among the West Germans and their players were constantly at loggerheads with the authorities over player bonuses.

Bad feeling remained after the final and the team's victory celebrations were spoiled when several players walked out of the banquet after officials barred their wives.

England failed to qualify for the finals, and were joined on the sidelines by Hungary, Spain and France.

East Germany, Haiti, Australia and Zaire all made the finals for the first time.

The East Germans pulled off the shock of the first round, beating the hosts in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history and causing a mutiny among the West German players.

Muller swansong

They battled their way through to the second round but lost out as Holland topped the group.

Brazil, who were struggling to adjust to life after Pele, claimed the runners-up spot and went into the third/fourth place play-off, which they lost 1-0 to Poland.

West Germany edged out the Poles in the other group to set up the final against Holland.

Despite their stylish play and early goal, the Dutch could not keep the Germans at bay.

Breitner levelled matters with a penalty and Muller, playing his last match for West Germany, pounced for his 68th international goal.

It was Muller's 14th World Cup finals goal and took him past French legend Juste Fontaine's previous best tally of 13.

First phase

Group A

W Germany 1-0 Chile E Germany 2-0 Australia Chile 1-1 E Germany

W Germany 3-0 Australia Australia 0-0 Chile E Germany 1-0 W Germany

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
East Germany	3	2	1	0	4	1	5
West Germany	3	2	0	1	4	1	4
Chile	3	0	2	1	1	2	2
Australia	3	0	1	2	0	5	1

Group B

Brazil 0-0 Yugoslavia Scotland 2-0 Zaire Yugoslavia 9-0 Zaire

Scotland 0-0 Brazil Scotland 1-1 Yugoslavia Brazil 3-0 Zaire

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Yugoslavia	3	1	2	0	10	1	4
Brazil	3	1	2	0	3	0	4
Scotland	3	1	2	0	3	1	4
Zaire	3	0	0	3	0	14	0

Group C

Sweden 0-0 Bulgaria Holland 2-0 Uruguay Holland 0-0 Sweden

Bulgaria 1-1 Uruguay Holland 4-1 Bulgaria Sweden 3-0 Uruguay

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Holland	3	2	1	0	6	1	5
Sweden	3	1	2	0	3	0	4
Bulgaria	3	0	2	1	2	5	2
Uruguay	3	0	1	2	1	6	1

Group D

Italy 3-1 Haiti Poland 3-2 Argentina Poland 7-0 Haiti

Argentina 1-1 Italy Argentina 4-1 Haiti Poland 2-1 Italy

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Poland	3	3	0	0	12	3	6
Argentina	3	1	1	1	7	5	3
Italy	3	1	1	1	5	4	3
Haiti	3	0	0	3	2	14	0

Second phase

Group A

Holland 4-0 Argentina Brazil 1-0 East Germany Holland 2-0 East Germany

Brazil 2-1 Argentina Holland 2-0 Brazil Argentina 1-1 East Germany

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Holland	3	3	0	0	8	0	6
Brazil	3	2	0	1	3	3	4
East Germany	3	0	1	2	1	4	1
Argentina	3	0	1	2	2	7	1

Group B

West Germany 2-0 Yugoslavia Poland 1-0 Sweden West Germany 4-2 Sweden

Poland 2-1 Yugoslavia Sweden 2-1 Yugoslavia West Germany 1-0 Poland

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
West Germany	3	3	0	0	7	2	6
Poland	3	2	0	1	3	2	4
Sweden	3	1	0	2	4	6	2
Yugoslavia	3	0	0	3	2	6	0

3rd/4th place play-off:
Poland 1-0 Brazil

Final:
West Germany 2-1 Holland

Leading scorers: Seven goals: Grzegorz Lato (Poland)