#4 Euro 1980- West Germany vs Belgium
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The sixth edition of the UEFA European Championship was held in Italy and was the first edition of the European Championship to feature eight teams instead of four. Reigning champions Czechoslovakia couldn’t replicate their performance of 1976 and lost 1-0 to West Germany in a rematch of the Euro 1976 final. West Germany ended up winning the group ahead of Czech Republic and the Netherlands to qualify for the final.In the final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, West Germany were up against the biggest surprise of the tournament, Belgium who topped a group consisting of hosts Italy, England and Spain. In the final, West Germany were off to a great start as they opened the scoring in the first ten minutes thanks to Horst Hrubesch who drove his shot well past Belgian goalie Jean-Marie Pfaff. Belgium, however, wouldn’t easily give up and were awarded a penalty kick in the 75th minute. Rene Vandereycken cashed on the opportunity and brought Belgium back on level terms.
However, the West Germans fought back and Horst Hrubesch won the tournament for West Germany by scoring the winner and his second goal of the match with only two minutes left on the clock. Belgium’s dream run in Euro 1980 finally came to an end and West Germany were crowned European Champions for the second time after winning it in 1972.
