98 days to go…
We’re counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by showcasing a golazo from the global finals each day.
Paul Breitner
West Germany v Chile
Germany 1974 | Group 1
Olympiastadion, Berlin
The badboy was as ungovernable on the pitch as he was off it. Udo Lattek converted a teenage Paul Breitner from a striker into a left-back. The Bavarian was positionally disobedient. Breitner would roar up the field, flinging in crosses, unleashing thunderbolts from distance. He was, however, so good at both that Lattek – in an era of structural conventionalism – allowed Breitner to do as he pleased.
The West Germany No3 went into the 1974 World Cup having scored seven times in 26 appearances in the recently-concluded Bundesliga. It took him only 18 minutes to showcase his shooting prowess on the big stage.
Breitner, 35 yards from goal, received the adidas Telstar Durlast from his Bayern Munich team-mate Franz Beckenbauer, rolled it into his path and rocketed it into the top corner to secure victory over Chile. Breitner and West Germany were up and running.
