After Pele took off Brazil's shirt permanently, the scene in the 1974 World Cup was empty in front of a comprehensive ball by the Dutch flying champion Johan Cruyff, but the host and security-aware West Germany after the events of the Munich Olympics put down the Orange Mill Revolution, lifting its second title led by Kaiser Franz Beckenbauer.
West Germany paid special attention to security, especially after the bloody events of 1972, and increased attention because it occurred with East Germany in one group.
The teams moved under the protection of the police, some of their headquarters were decorated with barbed wire, snipers were deployed on roofs in some sensitive matches such as the confrontation of the two Germans, and 7 helicopters were designated to monitor the final.
Hamburg 74
The confrontation of the two Germans will remain historic, and the easterners' victory was enhanced by the goal of mechanical engineer Jürgen Sparwasser, in front of about two thousand of their supporters who had managed to cross the Berlin Wall.
Due to political tension, the players did not exchange shirts, with the exception of Western Paul Breitner in the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms in Hamburg, with the scorer Sparwasser.
The result meant that West Germany beat the mighty Netherlands and defending champions Brazil in the second round.
Despite this, its captain Beckenbauer said, "The goal of Sparwasser woke us from our slumber, without which we would not have become world champions."
As for Sparwasser, he said, "If (Hamburg 74) is written on my grave, everyone will know that I am there."
Polish surprise
The finals were preceded by other political crises. The Soviet Union refused to play a decisive second leg against Chile, due to the coup against Socialist President Salvador Allende.
Qualifiers that resulted in the arrival of the first Oceanian team (Australia) and the first sub-Saharan African country (Zaire).
The latter did not leave a good impression, with a painful 0-9 loss to Yugoslavia, and comedic glimpses such as Mobi Ilunga breaking out of the block to deflect a Brazilian free kick before the ball moved!