FIFA World Cup 1974 Group 3

fifa world cup 1974 poster The Dutch team, appearing in their first finals since 1938, adopted the Total Football concept developed by Ajax and Feyenoord, in which players freely switched roles according to the tactical situation. They were just one of the teams that wore Adidas' three-stripe kits which were making their first appearance at the World Cup. Because Johan Cruyff had a personal sponsorship contract with Adidas' rival, Puma, he wore modified kits with two stripes.

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Netherlands

Uruguay

Netherlands 2 Uruguay 0

Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover (53,700)
15 June 1974

The Dutch had never been a power in international football but suddenly they had a team of supremely talented individuals playing with a revolutionary new approach. Johnny Rep scored their goals in the seventh and 86th minutes.

Sweden

Bulgaria

Sweden 0 Bulgaria 0

Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf (22,500)
15 June 1974

Neither side could fashion a goal in their opener.

Uruguay

Bulgaria

Uruguay 1 Bulgaria 1

Niedersachsenstadion, Hanover (12,000)
19 June 1974

Hristo Bonev put Bulgaria ahead in the 75th minute with a fine headed goal but Ricardo Pavoni equalised for La Celeste with three minutes left.

Netherlands

Sweden

Netherlands 0 Sweden 0

Westfalenstadion, Dortmund (53,700)
19 June 1974

Sweden held out for a very creditable draw. The Dutch could not break down the strong Swedish defence while Sweden lacked the quality to really threaten their opponents. The match is best remembered for the first televised appearance of the legendary turn which Johann Cruyff would use to baffle defenders throughout his career.

Netherlands

Bulgaria

Netherlands 4 Bulgaria 1

Westfalenstadion, Dortmund (52,100)
23 June 1974

A fifth minute penalty and a goal just before half-time, both scored by Neeskens, put Oranje in control. Rep made it 3-0 deep into the second-half and although Bulgaria got one from a Krol own goal, de Jong restored the margin two minutes from time.

FIFA's policy of interfering with kit choices to ensure a high degree of contrast seems to have been ignored as Bulgaria played in their change strip when their first choice white/green would have been far better.

Sweden

Uruguay

Sweden 3 Uruguay 0

Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf (27,100)
23 June 1974

Ralf Edström scored for Sweden in the opening seconds of the second half. Sandberg added a second in the 74th minute and three minutes later Edström scored his second. The result put Sweden in second place behind the Netherlands and ensured that Uruguay went home after a very poor campaign.