Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments

As we are getting close to the World cup 2022 of Qatar, many nations are preparing their best players to shine on the field in this grand tournament. Germany also is among these nations and put a lot of effort into carving its path to the ultimate football award.

The Mannschaft have a long history of competing in the biggest tournament in international football, having qualified for each World Cup since 1954 and only missing out on the 1930 and 1950 editions. We have compiled a list of

Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments

in advance of Germany's bid for a 2022 World Cup victory.

The list of top 10 Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments

Without further ado, let's board the time machine and, for the most part, travel back to the late 1900s to review Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments.

Matthaus Makes wonders – 1986

Lothar Matthaus and his brilliant moments are first on

Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments

list.

The international professional career of Lothar Matthaus lasted from 1980 to 2000. The legendary midfielder-turned-sweeper had the longest career of any German international, earning 150 caps for the Mannschaft, a record that stands to this day.

Matthaus' second World Cup was in 1986. When he was 25 years old and still not a captain, he proved to be a leader. He struck a low free kick from a distance into the lower-right corner of the goal in the 87th minute, when the score was still 0-0, to advance the

.

Matthaus was named captain the following year, and he captained his nation to victory in their rematch with Argentina in 1990 final, despite the fact that West Germany ultimately lost to Argentina in the championship game.

Germany Beat England on Penalties - 1990 Semifinal

Germany is known in England for being obstinate, tough, and ruthlessly effective on the football field, particularly in penalty shootouts.

Football is a straightforward game: 22 players chase a ball for 90 minutes, and the Germans win every time, according to a well-known Gary Lineker quote. The retired striker made those remarks after West Germany had defeated his England team in the 1990 World Cup semifinal on penalties.

In that game, Andreas Brehme gave the Germans the lead after 60 minutes, and Lineker drew them even with 10 minutes remaining. The Germans won all four of their penalties when the game finally came down to them, creating one of

Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments

. West Germany would ultimately defeat Argentina in the championship game.

Germany bounces back from its toughest-ever defeat to take third place – 1970 playoff

The semifinal match between West Germany and Italy in 1970 was probably their toughest defeat.

The Mannschaft fell behind for 82 minutes in what became known as the "Match of the Century" before Karl-Heinz Schnellinger scored a dramatic equalizer to send the game into extra time. Germany took the lead in extra time, trailed, tied, and ultimately lost when

made it 4-3 in the 111th minute.

It was extremely mentally and physically taxing and an emotional roller coaster.

West Germany and

squared off in the third-place playoff three days later. On minute 26, Wolfgang Overath scored the game's lone goal as the worn-out Mannschaft managed to hang on.

West Germany Avenge 1966 Final Loss to England - 1970

The 1966 World Cup final will be remembered fondly in the minds of many Germans.

West Germany and the home team, England, played at Wembley; the game ended in a 2-2 tie after extra time. Geoff Hurst of England then struck the ball off the underside of the crossbar and onto the goal line before it was cleared in the 101st minute.

It was deemed a goal even though the ball never crossed the goal line. In the 120th minute, Hurst added another goal as fans were already jubilantly celebrating on the field.

In Germany, any goal in which the ball strikes the underside of the crossbar and immediately curves downward is referred to as a "Wembley-Tor."

The Germans have since outperformed England in head-to-head contests, and they were able to exact revenge just four years after their contentious defeat.

The 90 minutes ended in a 2-2 draw between West Germany and England, just like in 1966. This time, Gerd Muller was the one to break the impasse, and there was no controversy. After what had transpired at Wembley four years prior, the Germans' 3-2 victory was all the sweeter, making it one of Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments.

Heartbroken Ballack Ends South Korean Dreams – 2002

By all accounts, Germany's journey to the 2002 World Cup final was improbable. It is a real shame that the Mannschaft faced Brazil without their inspirational captain, Michael Ballack.

In the semifinals, Ballack and Germany took on an equal underdog South Korea. The co-hosts, who defeated Spain on penalties in the quarterfinal

Germany national Football team Match

and edged Italy after extra time, had benefited from several questionable refereeing decisions. In the semifinal, Guus Hiddink's team faced arguably easier competition, but the Germans prevailed.

In the 71st minute, tragedy struck for Germany with the score still 0-0. When Ballack received a yellow card, it was made clear he would not participate in the championship game even if his team won.

Under similar circumstances, many would have lost their calmness, and some have even sobbed on the field. Ballack, who had advanced Germany to the semifinals by scoring the game-winning goal and one of the Best Germany goals against the United States, maintained his composure and scored the game's only goal a few minutes later.

West Germany Come Back Against France - 1982 semifinal

West Germany and France's epic 1982 World Cup semifinal match is regrettably remembered more for Harald Schumacher's non-sending off for his challenge on Patrick Battiston than for the incredible comeback the Germans staged in extra time.

After a 1-1 draw at halftime, France quickly went in front 3-1 thanks to two

best Germany goals

from Marius Tresor and Alain Giresse. Despite being worn out and having a mountain to climb, Germany fought back to force penalties. In the 102nd and 108th minutes, respectively,

Klaus Fischer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge both scored acrobatic overhead kicks to tie the score and create one of Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments.

The Germans advanced to the final by winning the subsequent penalty shootout 5-4. The game served as a prime example of the adage "never count out the Germans" and demonstrated how inspiration and a team with enough grit and cunning could accomplish anything.

West Germany Beat Oranje Rivals - 1974 Final

West Germany stormed their way to the

on home soil, four years after suffering heartbreak in the "Match of the Century" against Italy.

The best-ever Dutch team faced off against the best-ever German team in the championship game to create one of Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments. The Mannschaft rallied to win 2-1 despite giving up a penalty before any of their players touched the ball.

The 1974 Germany national Football team Match, especially the championship one, had particular significance for West Germany because it confirmed the abilities of legends like Franz Beckenbauer and man of the match Gerd Muller.

The Germans became the first team to ever host the European Championship and World Cup at the same time, a feat that has only been accomplished twice more since.

Victory over Hungary - 1954 final

Is there even a greater moment among Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments than

's 113th-minute goal?

Initially earning a starting position on Germany's national football team, Mario Goetze later lost it and had to settle for a substitute spot for the World Cup final.

However, it was when he entered the game that he made the biggest impact of all. He found space and brilliantly controlled and volleyed in the game's winning goal, a strike that will be reenacted countless times for years to come.

As he assisted Germany beat Argentina and winning the tournament, Goetze made sure he would always be associated with the World Cup 2014 and his national team with one of the Best Germany goals. This was the first time since 1990 that Germany had won the finals.

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The runner-up of Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments list is the revenge that Germany took from Argentina.

West Germany's heartbreaking performance in the 1986 World Cup final came after they had come back from a 2-0 deficit to tie Argentina before Jorge Burruchaga gave the South Americans the lead for good six minutes from the end.

The two teams reconnected in the championship game four years later. Once more, the outcome of the game was decided in the closing seconds. Before the championship, Argentina had twice won on penalties, but despite having legendary forward Diego Maradona, they had only managed one shot on goal.

Maradona was defeated thanks to the genius

, and West Germany would not inflict the final blow until five minutes remained in the game after Rudi Voller had earned a penalty. The game's lone goal was scored from the penalty spot by Andreas Brehme.

West Germany was fortunate enough to draw Argentina in the 1990 final, which is a rare occasion for a national team to have the opportunity to play a rematch of a final in the following competition. They did so with confidence under the direction of coach Franz Beckenbauer.

Mario Goetze's 113th-minute winner - 2014 final

West Germany was thoroughly humiliated by Hungary in their second World Cup game in 1954, but this was just the beginning of one of Germany's Greatest World Cup Moments. That game ended with an 8-3 victory for the overwhelming tournament favorites, who took a 3-0 lead after just 21 minutes. Germany scored twice in the waning minutes, with the Hungarians leading 7-1.

Later on, in the tournament, the Germans managed to win 7-2 against Turkey.

The victory over Turkey by West Germany may not have seemed like a big deal at the time. In retrospect, however, it was precisely what Mannschaft required to propel them forward with confidence. In the knockout stages, they easily defeated Yugoslavia and Austria before defeating

in the championship game.

Victory over Argentina - 1990 final