In a tournament of many landmarks the most significant was the dominance of West Germany and Holland playing `total football.'

West Germany had claimed the European Championship two years earlier with this free-flowing inter-changing style, and the Dutch had developed a similar brand themselves.

It was no surprise when they swept to the final after winning all of their second round group games.

More of a surprise was the emergence of Poland as an attacking force to be reckoned with and the demise of Brazil into a defence-minded side.

While the Polish trio of Lato, Deyna and Gadocha were now rated among the world's best, Brazil had lost three of their heroes of World Cups past in Pele, Tostao and Gerson.

England failed to qualify for the event for the first time since rejoining FIFA after the Second World War and Scotland qualified for the first time since 1958.

Brazil and Yugoslavia fought out a dull goalless draw in the opening game and although Scotland beat Zaire 2-0 in the next game, with first-half goals from Peter Lorimer and Joe Jordan, their failure to score more against the Africans ultimately cost them a place in the next round.

The Scots then earned a hard-fought 0-0 against Brazil but Yugoslavia's 9-0 demolition of Zaire put Scotland's victory into perspective.

Joe Jordan grabbed an equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Yugoslavia, who topped the group. Brazil, who needed to win by at least two clear goals against Zaire to join the Yugoslavs, won 3-0 and the Scots were out.

West Germany started with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Chile with a goal from Breitner while neighbours East Germany beat Australia 2-0.

The Aussies went down 3-0 against West Germany and, after a 1-1 draw between East Germany and Chile, East overcame West in the battle of the Germans in Hamburg.

West Germany had dominated the game but a goal just eight minutes from time by Sparwasser gave the Eastern Bloc side victory.

Holland powered to Group Three success. Cruyff bamboozled the aggressive Uruguayans, who had Castillo sent off for punching Rensenbrink, and a 2-0 win was achieved thanks to Rep goals in each half.

A goalless draw with a gallant Sweden was not enough to dampen Dutch spirits and they duly despatched Bulgaria 4-1 to cruise into the second round.

Sweden, undefeated in second place, joined the Dutch in the second round after a 3-0 win over Uruguay.

Poland and Argentina qualified from Group Four and when the two met the Poles triumphed 3-2. Poland also ensured Italy's early exit with a 2-1 win in Stuttgart.

In the second round, Holland beat Argentina 4-0 and East Germany 2-0 and then saw off Brazil with goals from Neeskens and Cruyff to reach the final.

West Germany were into their stride by now and goals from Breitner and Muller beat Yugoslavia.

Beckenbauer had started to dominate matches and he led his team to a 4-2 success over Sweden, for whom Edstroem and Sandberg had shone throughout.

West Germany had to overcome the Poles in their final second round game to book a place in the final and did so with a second half goal from Gerd Muller.

There had never been a penalty given during previous finals but within half an hour of this one there were two awarded by English referee Jack Taylor.

Holland were given the first in the opening minute. A German had yet to touch the ball when Cruyff was brought down inside the box and Johan Neeskens fired the Dutch ahead.

But Johnny Rep squandered a glorious opening carved out by Cruyff and the Germans were level in the 26th minute when Paul Breitner scored from the spot after Wim Jansen was adjudged to have brought down Bernd Holzenbein.

Two minutes before the break Muller made it 2-1 with a clinical finish and although Holland pressed hard in the second half Sepp Maier kept out a stinging Neeskens volley and the Germans held on.