On this day in World Cup history: Italy 4-3 West Germany (aet), 17 June 1970
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Your support makes all the difference.Ferruccio Valcareggi's Italy made the final for the first time in 32 years after a seven-goal thriller in the Aztec Stadium in Mexico.
The game, since known as the "Match of the Century" saw the lead change hands three times, with five goals in extra time. The Italians led through Roberto Boninsegna and looked to have booked a return trip to the capital, only for Karl-Heinz Schnellinger, of Milan, to equalise in injury time.
Extra time saw both teams capitalise on poor defending, with Germany's Gerd Müller scoring to put the Germans ahead for the first time. Tarcisio Burgnich pulled Italy level on 98 minutes before Luigi Riva restored the Italians' lead. Müller's 10th of the tournament set up a tense finale but, 20 seconds later, Italy's playmaker Gianni Rivera slotted home the winner as the sides equalled the highest-scoring World Cup semi-final.
Unsurprisingly, a drained Italy side struggled in the final, comfortably beaten 4-1 by Brazil.
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