Allofs hits hat-trick as West Germany see off Netherlands in EURO 1980 Group 1

West German hearts may have skipped a beat when the Netherlands fought back late on, but nothing could take away from the fact Jupp Derwall's side had produced one of their best performances in years.

Both teams had secured slender 1-0 victories in their respective tournament openers, but the West Germany side than lined up in Naples on this occasion was a very different proposition. Derwall had brought into the fold 20-year-old firebrand Bernd Schuster, who changed the face of the competition with his speed and aggressive running from midfield. He played a part in all three goals before the late Dutch comeback.

He started by leaning back to control a poor pass from Bernard Dietz, turned away from a defender and hit a post with a scorching shot, the underrated Klaus Allofs putting in the rebound. Then he sent Hansi Müller clear on the right and he held the ball up before laying it off for Allofs. Finally Schuster forced his way to the byline and turned the ball back neatly for Allofs to complete his hat-trick.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in action against the NetherllandsPopperfoto via Getty Images

The Dutch showed a glimmer of life when the 19-year-old Lothar Matthäus, who had come on to win the first of his world record number of caps, fouled Bennie Wijnstekers just outside the penalty area; the disappointing Johnny Rep put away the penalty. René van de Kerkhof's long-range drive was perhaps the best goal of the game, but it was not enough to knock West Germany off their course. At last, clear tournament favourites.

Reaction

Bernd Schuster, West Germany midfielder: "We had the advantage of having a very good mix in the team. A mix of experienced top players like myself, Lothar Matthäus. We played really well together, we knew each other, and that was the advantage we had for many years. What we had was an excellent nucleus to the team."

Horst Hrubesch, West Germany forward: "We played very well for 70 or 80 minutes. We were leading 3-0 and then they scored two goals. The trio of Bernd Schuster, Hansi Müller and [Karlheinz] Rummenigge worked very well and Klaus Allofs scored three goals. I did my job and that was a thing that characterised the team. We all worked for each other and we all ran for each other: it was not important whether Allofs or Hrubesch scored the goals. You also saw that in our play in general. We didn't really have one player we depended on – we were good as a team and we managed to dominate that way."

Lineups

The Dutch starting XI for the West Germany gamePopperfoto via Getty Images

West Germany: Schumacher; Kaltz, Karl-Heinz Förster, Dietz (c); Stieleke, Schuster, Briegel, Müller; Rummenigge, Hrubesch, Allofs
Substitutes: not listed
Coach: Jupp Derwall

Netherlands: Schrijvers; Wijnstekers, Krol (c), Van de Korput, Hovenkamp (Nanninga 46), Stevens; Haan, Willy van de Kerkhof, René van de Kerkhof; Rep, Kist (Thijssen 69)
Substitutes: not listed
Coach: Jan Zwartkruis

Referee: Robert Wurtz (France)