The Netherlands’ Johan Neeskens took just 88 seconds to score the fastest goal in a World Cup final – before West Germany had even touched the ball. Rinus Michels’ men kicked off and put 16 passes together until the ball arrived at the feet of Johan Cruyff, who burst past Berti Vogts and was felled by Uli Hoeness with just 53 seconds on the clock.
Neeskens admitted he was “overcome by nerves” and that he changed his mind over where he wanted to put the ball during his run-up, but despite scuffing it, felt “immense relief” to see it ripple Sepp Maier’s net.
The World Cup final’s first penalty may have taken 44 years to be awarded, but the second took only another 23 minutes. Another 22-year-old, Paul Breitner, converted it and West Germany went on to triumph.
