Lothar Matthaus

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Matthäus made his World Cup debut in 1982 as a substitute in group stage games against Chile and the infamous Disgrace of Gijón match versus Austria. West Germany reached the final, losing to Italy 3–1. In 1986, he scored the winner in the round of 16 against Morocco. In the final, coach Franz Beckenbauer assigned him to mark Diego Maradona; Maradona did not score, but his pass set up the winning goal for Argentina, and West Germany lost 3–2. At the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Matthäus captained the squad and scored four goals, including two in a 4–1 win against Yugoslavia and the only goal of the quarter-final against Czechoslovakia from a penalty. West Germany reached the final against Argentina and won 1–0 thanks to an 85th-minute penalty by Andreas Brehme. Matthäus later said playing the World Cup in Italy was 'like playing a World Cup at home'. At the 1994 World Cup, he captained the team as a sweeper and scored a penalty in the quarter-final against Bulgaria, but Bulgaria scored twice in three minutes to upset the defending champions. At the 1998 World Cup, he was called up as a replacement for the injured Matthias Sammer. He became the second player to appear in five different World Cup tournaments, tying the record of Mexican goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal. He played in all of Germany's matches until Croatia knocked them out 3–0 in the quarterfinals, taking his total to a then-record 25 World Cup appearances.

In Their Own Story

Rome, July 1990. The Stadio Olimpico in Rome hosted the final, a rematch against Maradona-led Argentina. Matthäus and his team emerged victorious 1–0 thanks to Andreas Brehme converting an 85th-minute penalty. As team captain, Matthäus hoisted the last World Cup trophy before German reunification in 1990.

Reader's Guide

Matthäus appeared at five FIFA World Cups: 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998. He was the first outfield player to do so, and second overall after Antonio Carbajal. He captained West Germany to victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He scored four goals in the 1990 tournament, including two in the opening group match against Yugoslavia and the only goal of the quarter-final against Czechoslovakia from a penalty. His total of 25 World Cup appearances was a record at the time, since eclipsed by Lionel Messi.

Did You Know?

• Matthäus was the first outfield player, and second overall after Antonio Carbajal, to appear at five FIFA World Cups.
• He scored the only goal of the 1990 quarter-final against Czechoslovakia from a penalty awarded in the 25th minute.
• In the 1986 final, coach Franz Beckenbauer assigned Matthäus to mark Diego Maradona; Maradona did not score but set up the winning goal.
• Matthäus captained West Germany to victory in the 1990 World Cup, the last World Cup trophy before German reunification.
• He accumulated a then-record 25 World Cup appearances, since eclipsed by Lionel Messi.