🌎 World Cup Moments: The Match of the Century | OneFootball

When one thinks of the 1970 World Cup in Mexico thoughts immediately turn to the great Brazil side led by Pele.

That Seleçao vintage would go down as arguably the best team we've ever seen but amazingly, the game voted as the Match of the Century by FIFA was at this World Cup and didn't include the South American winners.

No, that honour goes to West Germany and Italy who played out the best 120 minutes of football the 20th century produced.

But in truth though, the first 90 minutes of this semi-final didn't really live up to its subsequent reputation.

Italy striker Roberto Boninsegna gave the Azzurri a lead after nine minutes and it looked as if Ferruccio Valcareggi's side were going to hold on to make their first final since 1938.

But with seconds left of normal time, Karl-Heinz Schnellinger scored his first and only goal for West Germany to take the match into extra time.

Under the intense Mexico City sun, you would be forgiven for expecting the 30 minutes of added time to be a forgettable, one-paced affair.

Nothing though, could have been further from the truth.

Within minutes of the restart German legend Gerd Müller bundled in to give the Mannschaft their first lead but then just four minutes later, Tarcisio Burgnich finished well to make it 2-2.

This remarkable extra time took yet another turn just a minute before the break as Gig Riva found space inside the area and struck an effort into the bottom corner.

It meant, with just 15 minutes left to play, a match that was 1-1 at full time now saw Italy lead 3-2.

There were though, still more goals to come, as Müller netted his 10th of the tournament with a close-range header to see the Germans go level once again.

But before the local television cameramen could even get back into positions, Italy had gone up the other end and scored themselves thanks to Gianni Rivera's calmly placed finish.

In the space of 21 extra time minutes, five goals had been scored with Italy running out as eventual 4-3 winners.

The Azzurri had booked their place in the World Cup final and won the Match of the Century.