World Cup Greatest Moments: Franz Beckenbauer finishes the 1970 semi-final with arm in a sling

SPORT is littered with acts of bravery, and World Cups are no different. Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer proved that when he was left clutching at a broken collarbone — and asked for a sling.

Marco Monteverde

2 min read

May 31, 2018 - 6:00AM

Who will win the Golden Ball at the 2018 FIFA World Cup?

Football

Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.

THERE was never any doubting Frank Beckenbauer’s class on the football field, and his bravery wasn’t far behind judging by his actions in the classic 1970 World Cup semi-final between West Germany and Italy.

In a contest known as the “Game of the Century” and played in front of 102,444 at Mexico’s Estadio Azteca, Beckenbauer’s performance will never be forgotten.

What was the ‘moment’: Franz Beckenbauer finishing West Germany’s semi-final against Italy with a broken collarbone and his arm in a sling.

Which World Cup was it? Mexico, 1970

Country played for: West Germany

In the 70th minute with the Azzurri leading 1-0 courtesy of an early Roberto Boninsegna goal, the man they called “Der Kaiser” was the victim of an ugly foul from Italian defender Pierluigi Cera.

LISTEN: Our football team of Tom Smithies and Dave Davutovic on the ground in Europe give their insight from Camp Socceroos ahead of their first warm-up match.

You can download Another Football Podcast from the iTunes store

It left Beckenbauer with a broken collarbone and a dislocated shoulder. But with the Germans already having used their two substitutes, he refused to leave the field.

Instead, the courageous Beckenbauer played with his arm in a sling for the rest of an extraordinary game that needed extra time to find a winner.

SKIP TO THE 3:06 IN THE VIDEO BELOW TO SEE BECKENBAUER’S INJURY AND SUBSEQUENT BRAVERY

Unfortunately for Beckenbauer, his heroics weren’t rewarded with a German victory.

Having equalised on the stroke of full-time through defender Karl-Heinz Schnellinger, the Germans took a 2-1 lead four minutes into extra-time via the great Gerd Muller.

But Italy fought back with goals from Tarcisio Burgnich and Gigi Riva to lead 3-2.

However, the Germans weren’t finished, with Muller equalising in the 110th minute.

But a minute later, Italy sealed a 4-3 win with a Gianni Rivera goal.

While Beckenbauer was a loser on the scoreboard that day, the football Gods smiled on him four years later when he captained West Germany to World Cup glory on home soil.