Iconic Moments in Football No.73
Former Germany, Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur striker Jurgen Klinsmann made a name for himself for diving. Throughout his career, he was scythed down many a time by opposition defenders, but he needed no encouragement to roll around on the turf after being challenged!
When Klinsmann left his native Germany for Tottenham Hotspur in 1994, he scored on his debut away to Sheffield Wednesday. He celebrated by running off before diving onto his stomach. Several of his team mates joined in and also dived onto the floor. It was a great idea as Klinsmann was renowned for his diving antics and many fans thought that he would continue this into the Premier League.
By imitating it in celebration, Klinsmann showed that he had a sense of humour and was aware of his reputation. This simple celebration was a great way of endearing himself to the sceptical English fans who were still a bit wary of foreign players and viewed them with suspicion.
Four years earlier, Klinsmann was in the starting line-up for West Germany in the World Cup Final against Argentina. Despite the match ending goalless after Extra Time, there was still plenty of talking points.
In the 65th minute, Klinsmann dropped deep to receive a pass from Jurgen Kohler. Argentina’s Gabriel Calderon stepped in to intercept but Klinsmann was able to outsmuscle the Argentine striker and poke the ball to his captain Lothar Matthaus.
Klinsmann began running down the right wing and Matthaus played a first time pass for the striker to chase. He reached the ball and was able to take a touch before Argentina’s Gabriel Monzon slid in, missed the ball and sent Klinsmann crashing to the ground.
There was minimal contact from Monzon, but Klinsmann landed on his back before bouncing up like a spring being uncoiled. He held his head and rolled over a couple of times for extra effect.
The West German physio came on to check him over. It was an Oscar-winning performance if ever there was one!
The dive and exaggerated rolling on the world’s biggest stage immediately gave Klinsmann the reputation as a diver. I’m sure he regrets doing it but I don’t think he would have thought about it at the time.
It was a definite sending off and the Mexican referee duly waved his red card at Monzon. The Argentine defender had only been on the field for twenty minutes after coming on as a half time substitute.
West Germany went on to win the match thanks to an 85th minute penalty from Andreas Brehme. It was their third World Cup win and was the last major tournament that they played in before becoming a unified country.
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