This Day in History: 2023-08-14

Nr. 497

NETZER’S MASTERCLASS (1972)

Midfield maestro Gunther Netzer laid to rest England’s dominance over West Germany with a masterdass at Wembley. He engineered Germany’s first victory on English soil and a 3-1 win in this European Nations Cup quarter-final on 29 April. His midfield generalship was the significant factor and the inspired Netzer was always ready to explode from a strolling gait into a penetrating run for goal. After Hoeness put the Germans ahead and Lee equalized, Netzer got on the scoresheet with a penalty – and even that was exceptional. England keeper Banks pushed Netzer’s shot on to the post, but it spun back behind him into the net. Muller made it 3-1.

Gunter Netzer was in inspirational form, beating England goalkeeper Gordon Banks from the penalty spot to make the score 2-1.