1974

Host nation: West Germany Games: 38 Goals: 97 (2.55 per match) Dismissals: 5 Venues: 9 Winners: West Germany Top scorer: Grzegorz Lato (7 goals)

Modern football began to rear its head in 1974. There were rows over bonuses (West Germany, the Netherlands), bickering over sponsorship (Johan Cruyff, Scotland) and new levels of hounding players by the media. However, for the game’s purists it was viewing nirvana, with so much to enjoy aesthetically: holders Brazil seeking a fourth title (having won three of the last four), a goal-happy Poland and – most of all – West Germany and the Netherlands. Their billing as a brutal Teutonic machine and Dutch Rembrandts is perhaps a tad overstated (the Germans had won Euro 72 with real verve, while the Dutch possessed ample grit). These were two outstanding sides who would shake the football world.

STAR FACTOR

Riddled with them: Brazilian bustlers Jairzinho and Rivelino; Italian posterboys Gigi Riva and Gianni Rivera; Polish poacher Grzegorz Lato; Gerd Muller and Franz Beckenbauer for the hosts; Johan Neeskens and - above all – Johan Cruyff for the Netherlands.

WONDER GOALS

Germany’s Afro-sporting rebel Paul Breitner smashed two long-range humdingers, but the ultimate highlight reel belongs to Cruyff. All his guile was evident in his goalkeeper-bamboozling as the Netherlands dispatched Argentina 4-0, while in the 2-0 defeat of Brazil, his lunged volley was a thing of balletic beauty.

AGGRO

East Germany vs West Germany in the group stage. The mini Cold War pitted the communist amateurs against the capitalist pros – and the East prevailed thanks to a 77th-minute Jurgen Sparwasser strike. The humiliation prompted a Western tactical overhaul that ultimately led to them winning the title.

THE THRILLERS

Dusan Bajevic hit a hat-trick as Yugoslavia dished out the joint-biggest thrashing in World Cup history, thumping Zaire (far left) 9-0. Minnows Haiti thrillingly took a second-half lead against Italy thanks to a goal from Emmanuel Sanon – but the Azzurri eventually won 3-1.

THE FINAL

A controversy-ridden grudge match (top) at Munich’s Olympiastadion. Cruyff’s solo run led to the Netherlands getting, and scoring, a penalty before West Germany had touched the ball. But the Mannschaft hit back with a spot-kick of their own and trademark clinical finish from Muller. The immovable object beat the irresistible force. Again.

LEGACY

This was the first time most observers had witnessed Total Football – and the Dutch system that saw players switch position at will would resonate through the managerial world for decades to come.