5 great Germany - Italy matches of the past

Italy 4 – West Germany 3 (1970 World Cup)

Gerd Muller (L) was not able to lead Germany to victory in the 1970 World Cup semi-final despite scoring two goals.

This match is perhaps the most spectacular duel between the two. Italy led after Roberto Boninsegna, the Inter legend scored in the 8th minute. Franz Beckenbauer dislocated his shoulder but stayed on the field carrying his dislocated arm in a sling as his side had already used their two permitted substitutions. Karl-Heinz Schnellinger, the German defender (plying his trade for AC Milan at the time, ironically enough) equalized for West Germany during second half stoppage time to make the Italians start from scratch again.

In an extremely dramatic extra time period, Gerd Muller put Germany ahead in the 4th minute but Tarcisio Burgnich leveled the scores four minutes later. Luigi Riva then put the Italians back in front before Gerd Muller scored again for West Germany to tie up the score at 3–3. Italy were not be denied though and Gianni Rivera scored what turned out to be the winner in the 111th minute. Unmarked near the penalty area, Rivera connected with a cross by Boninsegna, clinching the victory for Italy and booking their place in the final.