the Netherlands

Rinus Michels led the Netherlands to the World Cup runners-up spot in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1974.

West Germany

Johan Cruyff won the Ballon d´Or three times and led the Dutch national team to the final of the 1974 World Cup, famously losing to West Germany and receiving the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament.

Holland

The runners up of the 1974 World Cup, Holland won our hearts in the fashion department and footballing.

Johan Cruyff

In the 1974 World Cup, Johan Cruyff was voted player of the tournament.

West Germany and Argentina

Netherlands won Euro 88 (with Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard) and reached two consecutive world cup finals in 1974 and but lost both finals to their respective host nations, West Germany and Argentina.

Germany

Signed from Ajax, Neeskens was one of the stars of Holland’s spectacular run to the Germany 1974 World Cup Final.

when Germany beat the Netherlands by 2-1

Perhaps the most notable event in many natives’ minds was the legendary final of the 1974 World Cup, when Germany beat the Netherlands by 2-1.

Poland

After the international retirement of Pelé and other stars from the 1970 squad, Brazil was not able to overcome the Netherlands at the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, and finished in fourth place after losing the third place game to Poland.

Franz Beckenbauer

Franz Beckenbauer was a member of the World Cup teams that finished runners-up in 1966, third place in 1970, and World Cup Champions in 1974.

Netherlands and Germany

The Munich Olympic Stadium was the site of the final match of the 1974 FIFA World Cup between the sides of Netherlands and Germany finishing 1:2.

East Germany

East Germany were also the only team able to beat the West German team that won the 1974 World Cup, a highly symbolic event for both sides of the nation, which remained the only meeting of both teams.

Uruguay

The 1974 edition saw the Netherland’s Johan Cruyff emerging on the international scene, but Uruguay's side felt short against hosts West Germany in the final.

which secured Muller's country the 1974 World Cup final against the Netherlands

Muller scored 68 times in 62 matches for Germany, including the winner which secured Muller's country the 1974 World Cup final against the Netherlands.

the most significant and memorable of the clashes with West Germany coming from behind to break Dutch hearts in a 2-1 win

The 1974 World Cup final remains the most significant and memorable of the clashes with West Germany coming from behind to break Dutch hearts in a 2-1 win.

Johan Cruyff who elected to boycott the finals

The 1974 World Cup runners up no longer had Johan Cruyff who elected to boycott the finals.

the Dutch team in the finals

At the World Cup in 1974, was the Dutch team in the finals was defeated by host West Germany and lost the 1978 Orange against host Argentina.

Clay Regazzoni

The 1974 event was to decide the world championship between Fittipaldi and Swiss Clay Regazzoni, who had the same number of points.

The Germans Sepp Maier, Paul Breitner, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Uli Hoeness and Jupp Kapellmann

The Germans Sepp Maier, Paul Breitner, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Uli Hoeness and Jupp Kapellmann won the World Cup in their country in 1974 and the old Champions Cup.

Johan Cruijff

Johan Cruijff also reached the final of the 1974 World Cup.

George Best , pictured here with the Brazilian,

George Best, pictured here with the Brazilian, was a Manchester United legend who enjoyed three separate spells in the NASL.Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: The rebirth of the New York CosmosBrilliant Beckenbauer – Franz Beckenbauer was captain of the West Germany team which lifted the 1974 World Cup.