Italia '90 was poised to crown the Azzurri as champions in a festival of football. Yet, fate had other plans, as the final in Rome became a tale of contrasts: Germany's tactical brilliance versus Argentina's grinding negativity. What unfolded was not merely a football match but a drama of redemption, controversy, and a symbolic shift in football's narrative.
A Tournament of
Contrasts
Argentina, led by the mercurial Diego Maradona, had limped
through the tournament in a manner antithetical to the sport's spirit. Negative
tactics, physicality bordering on brutality, and reliance on Sergio Goycochea's
penalty-saving prowess carried them to the final. Maradona’s antics—both on and
off the pitch—kept the team in the headlines but detracted from their performance.
By contrast, Germany under Franz Beckenbauer was a team reborn. Gone were the
plodding, pragmatic sides of 1982 and 1986. In their place stood a dynamic,
fluid team that embodied balance and brilliance.
The Road to
Redemption
Beckenbauer’s transformation of Germany began well before
the World Cup. Having endured criticism for lacklustre performances in the late
'80s, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 seemed to inject a newfound unity and
resolve into the squad. Lothar Matthäus emerged as the lynchpin, reinvented as
a midfield general with a free role. Supported by a stellar cast, including
Andreas Brehme, Jürgen Klinsmann, and Rudi Völler, Germany stormed into the
tournament with a flair rarely associated with their footballing heritage.
Their opening 4-1 demolition of Yugoslavia was a masterclass
in precision and power. Matthäus’s goal—beating defenders with balletic ease
before unleashing a thunderous strike—set the tone. By the time they dispatched
the UAE and played a riveting encounter against the Netherlands, it was clear
that Germany were the team to beat.
The Final Showdown:
Maradona's Argentina vs. Matthäus's Germany
The final in Rome was a rematch of the 1986 spectacle, but
the roles were reversed. Maradona, the architect of Argentina’s triumph in
Mexico, found himself shackled by Guido Buchwald, much as Claudio Gentile had
done to him in 1982. Argentina, reduced to defensive dogma and with two players
suspended, sought only to frustrate and survive. Their ambition seemed confined
to dragging the game into penalties—a strategy that had served them well
against Yugoslavia and Italy.
Germany, however, were relentless. With Brehme and Berthold
surging down the flanks and Matthäus orchestrating from midfield, they probed
and pressed. Thomas Häßler’s ingenuity and Littbarski’s tireless movement
highlighted the German intent to win with style. Despite the dominance,
Argentina’s defence held firm until the pivotal moment.
The Controversy:
Codesal's Whistle and Football's Justice
With six minutes left, Rudi Völler went down in the penalty
area under Roberto Sensini's challenge. Mexican referee Edgardo Codesal pointed
to the spot, sparking Argentine protests. Andreas Brehme stepped up, his strike
as precise as his deliveries throughout the tournament. Goycochea, heroic until
that point, could only watch as the ball found the net.
The penalty decision remains contentious, but it was a
poetic end to a final marred by Argentina’s negativity. Pedro Monzón’s red card
for a reckless challenge and Gustavo Dezotti’s infamous "neck tackle"
encapsulated the desperation and cynicism of a side outplayed in every sense.
Glory Restored:
Germany's Triumph and Football’s Renewal
When the final whistle blew, it was not just the end of the
match but the culmination of a journey. Beckenbauer’s Germany had exorcised the
ghosts of previous finals and showcased a style that blended discipline with
creativity. Their 15 goals in the tournament, including Matthäus’s brilliance
and Brehme’s invaluable contributions, reflected a team effort unmatched in
Italia '90.
Maradona, in tears, blamed FIFA and the referee, but his
recriminations could not mask the brilliance of Germany. The victory was
symbolic—on the eve of German reunification, the triumph united a divided
nation and signalled the arrival of a new footballing ethos.
Legacy of Italia '90
Italia '90 was more than a tournament; it was a turning
point. Argentina’s negativity and Maradona’s politics gave way to Germany’s
artistry and teamwork. The penalty that sealed the final may have been
controversial, but it ensured that the sport’s ultimate prize went to the team
that embodied its spirit.
Germany’s redemption in Rome was not just a victory for Beckenbauer’s men but a triumph for football itself—a reminder that brilliance, when paired with resilience, will always prevail.
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