All Time World Cup!
Muller 26, Voller 46, Muller 61; H. Sanchez 80
BUENOS AIRES – River Plate
A workmanlike win for the Germans, who were in no mood to go through another rollercoaster like the Hungary game. From the off, Matthaus was everywhere in midfield, ably assisted by Matthias Sammer and Paul Breitner who had been brought in for Walter and Overath.
Schoen had clearly seen how Mexico had been overrun by Austria in midfield and had adjusted to emulate that. Gerd Muller picked up where he had finished the previous game, and opened the scoring in the 26th minute from a Rummenigge pull back.
Mexico’s only chance of the first half did not involve Sanchez at all. Hermosillo broke down the wing and picked out the distinctive long blonde hair of the rangy Luis Hernandez, who nodded a header just over the bar.
They lived to rue that miss after half-time when, straight from kick-off, the Germans broke forward and sub Rudi Voller eluded his marker to stab home. On the hour, Muller scored his third goal of the tournament, reacting quickest when a Breitner shot came back off Carbajal.
With the game well won, Germany eased off, conserving energy with typical efficiency. Hugo Sanchez finally lived up to his reputation with ten minutes to go and gave the fans something to cheer.
Blanco skipped past Vogts to the by-line and pulled back for Sanchez, who eluded Kohler and smashed home a spectacular scissor kick. His trademark somersault celebration lacked real enthusiasm though. His team had been well beaten, and would not be going through.
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