While Paul Breitner lent a touch of extravagance to the left side of the West German side of the early 1970s, Vogts was a no-nonsense, tough-tackling fullback, and all the better for it.
In three World Cups “Der Terrier” didn’t miss a game for West Germany. He made his debut in Mexico in 1970 where the West Germans claimed third place, beating Uruguay after losing 4-3 to Italy in the semifinals.
Vogts’ finest performance for West Germany came in the biggest match of his international career. Charged with man-marking Johan Cruyff in the 1974 final in Munich, Vogts played the game of his life.
The Dutch maestro ran through the West German defense to earn a penalty in the first minute, but for the next 89 minutes Cruyff couldn’t touch the ball without feeling Vogts kicking at his ankles. With Cruyff unable to exert his usual control, the Dutch players lost their way, and West Germany battled back to earn a 2-1 win.
By 1978 Vogts had replaced Franz Beckenbauer as captain, but West Germany’s title defense stalled at the second group stage with draws against Italy and the Netherlands and a defeat by Austria.
The scenario strangely repeated itself when Vogts succeeded Beckenbauer as national coach after West Germany had won the World Cup in 1990. Once again Vogts struggled in the shadow of his predecessor, and Germany’s defense in the United States ended in an embarrassing quarterfinal defeat by Bulgaria.
