1974 WORLD CUP:
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. West Germany had been chosen in July 1966 as hosts by FIFA. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded. The previous trophy, the Jules Rimet Trophy, was won for the third time by Brazil in 1970 and awarded permanently to the Brazilians. The host nation won the title beating the Netherlands in the final, 2–1. The victory was the second for West Germany, who had won in 1954. West Germany, European Champions of 1972, also won the 1974 World Cup. This is the only case of the reigning European champions winning the World Cup. Joao Havelange (former FIFA President from 1974 to 1998) claimed that the 1966 and 1974 World Cups were fixed so that England and Germany would win respectively, however this would be strange considering Germany had a penalty awarded against them so early in the final and Havelange's comments were littered with references to how his home nation of Brazil should have won, hinting that the comments are biased.
1. Brazilian soccer legend Pele holds the Jules Rimet Cup as West Germany star Uwe Seeler carries the new World Cup trophy. The Jules Rimet Trophy, was won for the third time by Brazil in 1970 and awarded permanently to the Brazilians.
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2. German goalie Sepp Maier, far left, and midfielder Paul Breitner stand in front of the German goal during the finals of the Soccer World Cup, on July 7, 1974, at the Olympic Stadium, in Munich, as German midfielder Rainer Bonhof and Dutch player Johan Neeskens (13) struggle for the ball. Germany defeated Netherlands 2 - 1 to win the World Cup title.
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3. West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer, centre, raises the World Cup after it had been presented to him by West German President Walter Scheel, left, following the defeat of the Netherlands in the Football World Cup Final in Munich.
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| © AP Images |