FIFA World Cup 1974 Group 1

fifa world cup 1974 poster West Germany, the 1972 European Champions, were seeded in Group 1 where they would meet the East German team for the first time. Because the government of the German Democratic Republic feared mass defections, its citizens were not permitted to travel to any games. The historic meeting of the German teams proved an anti-climax as both had already qualified for the next phase. Australia made their first ever appearance in the World Cup finals: oddly, the Socceroos wore Adidas kits (Adidas sponsored the tournament) but with Umbro branding.

You are welcome to contact me with corrections or additions.

West Germany

Chile

West Germany 1 Chile 0

Olympiastadion, West Berlin (83,168)
14 June 1974

A long distance screamer from Breitner settled the match in the 18th minute.

East Germany

Australia

East Germany 2 Australia 0

Volksparkstadion, Hamburg (10,000)
14 June 1974

The Socceroos were doing well to hold East Germany until thirteen minutes of the second half had passed, when Colin Curran attempted to clear the ball from his own goal line but could only help it in. Streich scored the second, volleying a swinging cross in from the penalty spot while at full stretch.

(Franc Forjan)

West Germany

Australia

West Germany 3 Australia 0

Volksparkstadion, Hamburg (35,000)
18 June 1974

West Germany recorded a comfortable win, Overath and Cullmann scoring in the first half. Gerd Müller made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute.

(Franc Forjan)

Chile

East Germany

Chile 1 East Germany 1

Olympiastadion, West Berlin (20,168)
18 June 1974

Ahumada salvaged a point for Chile, equalising in the 69th minute after Hoffmann had put East Germany into the lead 14 minutes earlier. The result meant that Chile still had a chance of going into the next round if they could defeat Australia and West Germany beat their neighbour in the final set of games.

Australia

Chile

Australia 0 Chile 0

Olympiastadion, West Berlin (14,681)
22 June 1974

Although Australia went home without a goal, they did at least have a point. The result eliminated Chile.

(Franc Forjan)

East Germany

West Germany

East Germany 1 West Germany 0

Volksparkstadion, Hamburg (60,350)
22 June 1974

To cater for the enormous domestic TV audience for the first ever meeting of the two Germanys, the match kicked off after the Australia v Chile game had finished. The delay backfired, however, because the draw in Hamburg meant that both teams would go forward to the next round regardless of the result. The embarrassment of losing did lead to a reorganisation of the West German team, which stood them in good stead in the next phase.