West Germany v France (1982 FIFA World Cup)

1982 FIFA World Cup
Semi-final
Night of Seville (Nacht von Sevilla)
Night of Seville (Nuit de Séville)
The match was played at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.
Event1982 FIFA World Cup
West Germany France
West Germany France
3 3
After extra time
West Germany won 5–4 on penalties
Date8 July 1982
VenueRamón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Seville
RefereeCharles Corver (Netherlands)
Attendance70,000

On 8 July 1982, West Germany and France played in the semi-finals of the 1982 FIFA World Cup at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville, Spain. The match is known in both countries as the Night of Seville (‹See Tfd›German: Nacht von Sevilla,[1] French: Nuit de Séville[2]). The match was won by West Germany 5–4 on penalties. They advanced to face Italy in the final. Thanks to its back-and-forth drama, four goals in extra time and a dramatic penalty shoot-out, the match is regarded as one of the best football matches of all time.[3] It is considered by French captain Michel Platini to be his "most beautiful game."[4] West Germany's victory was the first time in the history of the World Cup that a penalty shoot-out determined the outcome.[5]

  1. ^ Klemm, Stephan (15 January 2019). "Die Nacht von Sevilla". fr.de. Frankfurter Rundschau. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  2. ^ Delerm, Philippe (4 July 2014). "Et le meilleur de notre jeunesse s'est envolé". lefigaro.fr. FigaroVox. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  3. ^ Ger, McCarthy (10 July 2011). "Memory Lane – West Germany v France at World Cup 82". Backpage Football. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  4. ^ Pears, Tim (26 October 2008). "My most beautiful game". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  5. ^ Murray, Scott (27 May 2014). "World Cup: 25 stunning moments: Patrick Battiston loses his teeth". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 April 2015.