The 1990 FIFA World Cup, a.k.a. ‘Italia ’90’, was staged at 12 venues throughout Italy between June 8 and July 8, 1990. The tournament format was identical to 1986, insofar as six groups of four teams were whittled down to 16 for the knockout stage, with the top two teams in each group advancing, alongside the four highest-ranked third-placed teams.
The eventual winners, West Germany, were appearing in a World Cup for the last time, with the reunification of Germany officially ratified on October 3, 1990. Captained by Lothar Matthäus, who was appearing in the third of his five World Cups, West Germany topped Group D after beating Yugoslavia 4-1, United Arab Emirates 5-1 and drawing 1-1 with Colombia, all at the San Siro in Milan.
In the round of 16, West Germany faced the Netherlands, again at the San Siro, in a rematch of 1974 World Cup Final. As in 1974, West Germany won 2-1, with goals from Jürgen Klinsmann and Andreas ‘Andi’ Brehme followed by a late consolation goal from Ronald Koeman, from the penalty spot, in the penultimate minute of normal time. Matthäus scored the only goal of the game, also from the penalty spot, in a 1-0 quarter-final win over Czechoslovakia, to set up a semi-final that would live long in the memories of England fans.
At the Stadio delle Alpi in Turin, Brehme opened the scoring for Germany on the hour mark, only to see his effort cancelled out by a Gary Lineker goal 20 minutes later. The scores remained tied at 1-1 after extra-time, so the result was decided by penalty shoot-out. West Germany successfully converted their first four spot kicks, but did not need to take a fifth after Stuart Pearce hit his penalty straight at goalkeeper Bodo Illgner and Chris Waddle blazed his effort over the crossbar, to give West Germany victory, 4-3.
For once, the World Cup final, a rematch of the 1986 final against Argentina, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome was a low-key affair, decided by the only goal of the game, a penalty by Brehme with five minutes of normal time remaining. Low-key, in terms of the scoreline, it may have been, but both Pedro Monzón and Gustavo Dezotti were sent off for Argentina in the second half.