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Rummenigge was a loser in consecutive finals. Allsport UK/Allsport |
Rummenigge may not have been as prolific as Gerd Muller, his striking partner at Bayern Munich in the early years of his career, but he was a better all-around player. Goals came easily enough, but Rummenigge was also a brilliant creative influence.
Three goals at the 1978 World Cup heralded Rummenigge's emergence as an international striker, and by 1982 he was a European champion with West Germany and the two-time reigning European Footballer of the Year.
West Germany's Spanish campaign got off to a shocking start with a 2-1 defeat against Algeria, but Rummenigge blasted a hat trick in a 4-1 win over Chile in the next game and a controversial 1-0 win over a sympathetic Austria, which knew that a one-goal defeat would ensure the European neighbors' passage into the second round.
By the second phase Rummenigge was struggling with injuries. He came off the bench to score as West Germany fought back from 3-1 down to beat France on penalties in the semifinal, but there were serious doubts over his fitness.
Rummenigge was recalled for the final, but coach Jupp Derwall's judgement was questioned when the forward limped off during the second half after failing to make any impression and with Italy already two goals toward a 3-1 win.
In 1986 Rummennigge was mainly used as a substitute. It was another fraught tournament for West Germany but somehow it advanced to the final and, once again, Rummenigge was chosen for the final.
Again he would finish on the losing side, but this time in more heroic circumstances. Two goals down against Maradona's Argentina, Rummenigge sparked a late comeback when he managed to steer home a corner midway through the second half. An equalizer followed, but almost immediately Maradona sent Jose Burruchaga through for the winner.
