Franz Beckenbauer has died at the age of 78. A legend of German football, an icon of world football. And perhaps the most iconic image of his career, at least for football fans in Italy, can only be that of the fateful 1970 World Cup semi-final. The "match of the century", with the Italians as protagonists, co-stars with Germany in Mexico.
That legendary 4-3 that Beckenbauer helped to make so iconic: who doesn't remember the German defender who was injured 25' from the end of the match but stoically stayed on the field?
Beckenbauer played the end of regular time and all of extra time with a bandaged arm. He had dislocated his shoulder. But he couldn't leave, West Germany had already made the allowed substitutions (two at the time). Franz could only resist, play until the end of the game. With a bandaged arm along his body.
Beckenbauer with the bandaged arm
It was June 17, 1970. Azteca Stadium, Mexico. Italy and West Germany were playing for access to the World Cup final. When there is less than half an hour left in regular time, Cera fouls Beckenbauer. The German defender falls. He falls badly. The blow costs him a dislocation of the shoulder. But he can't leave the field. His team would have been left with one less man.
The match is history. The 1-1 caught by the Germans at the end of regular time. Then the legendary extra time. Gerhard Müller for the 2-1 German, Burgnich for the new Italian draw. Then Riva for the new Italian advantage. Then again Müller for the 3-3. Finally Rivera. The spot of the football that was. With Beckenbauer always there, there in the middle - to say it with Ligabue - even with the bandaged arm - as long as he had stayed there.
This article is automatically translated