Coming after their1934[1] and1938[2] victories, Italy had now drawn level with record championsBrazil. Italy'sPaolo Rossi won the Golden Boot as the tournament's top goalscorer, and the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player (awarded for the first time). Italy's 40-year-old goalkeeper and captainDino Zoff became the oldest player to win the World Cup.[3]
It is to date the only final between the two sides in a major football tournament.
After a scoreless first half during whichAntonio Cabrini fired a penalty low and wide to the right of goal,Paolo Rossi scored first, heading home a bouncingClaudio Gentile cross from the right from close range.Marco Tardelli then scored from the edge of the area with a low left footed shot beforeAlessandro Altobelli, at the end of a counterattack by winger Bruno Conti, made it 3–0 with another low left footed shot. Italy's lead appeared secure, encouraging Italian presidentSandro Pertini to wag his finger at the cameras in a playful 'not going to catch us now' gesture from the stands.Paul Breitner scored for Germany in the 83rd minute, firing low past the goalkeeper from the right, but Italy held on to claim their first World Cup title in 44 years, and their third in total with a 3–1 victory.[4]
Poland
Algeria
Peru
Chile
Cameroon
Austria
Argentina
England
Brazil
Spain
France
