Andreas Brehme, the scorer of the decisive goal for West Germany in the 1990 World Cup final, has passed away at the age of 63.
Brehme secured victory for Franz Beckenbauer’s team against Argentina in the Rome final with an 85th-minute penalty, adding to his collection of 86 international caps. The accomplished left-back also achieved notable success with clubs such as Bayern Munich, Inter, and Kaiserslautern, clinching two Bundesliga titles, Serie A, and the UEFA Cup in 1991.
According to reports from German news outlet Bild, Brehme died on Monday after experiencing a suspected cardiac arrest. Medical professionals were unable to revive him at a Ziemssenstrasse clinic near his residence.
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Brehme’s passing follows Beckenbauer’s death six weeks ago at the age of 78. He is survived by his partner and two adult sons.
Known for his modern-style full-back play, Brehme was adept at moving forward into the opponent’s third and was recognized for his skill with both feet. He showcased versatility by playing on both the right and left sides, as well as functioning as a defensive and attacking midfielder at various points in his career. Brehme was also proficient in taking set-pieces.
His goal-scoring prowess at the club level reflected his ability, and he netted four of his eight international goals during World Cups, including three in the 1990 edition. Aside from his decisive goal against Argentina in the final, Brehme scored in West Germany’s 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in Milan and opened the scoring against England in the famous 1-1 semi-final draw in Turin.
Brehme played a crucial role in West Germany’s penalty shootout victory against England in the semi-final, scoring their first penalty. His last international goal came in a friendly against Sweden in October 1990.