Global mourning: German legend Karl-Heinz Schnellinger and figure of the ‘Match of the century’ died

Karl-Heinz Schnellinger Born in the town of Düren, in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia, he began playing football in the lower categories of his city’s club, from where he went, at the age of 19, to FC Cologne.

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After establishing himself as one of the leading defenders in Germany and establishing himself as one of the strongholds of the national team, he began his journey through Italy in 1963, when he signed for Mantova.

After a year, he moved to Roma and from there, also after a single season, he would land at the club where he would make a place for himself in its history: AC Milan.

With the ‘rossoneri’ team, Schnellinger He would play more than 300 games over nine seasons and reach the peak of his career, obtaining a Serie A, three Italian Cups, one European Cup, two European Cup Winners’ Cups and one Intercontinental Cuphaving a relevant role in all the conquests, in addition to having been included in the Milan club’s Hall of Fame.

His time in the Germany team. During the 13 years, from 1958 to 1971, that he defended the Mannschaft shirt, he played 47 official matches and participated in four World Cups, from Sweden 58 to Mexico 70, with runner-up in the World Cup in England 66 and third place in the Mexican championship. as greatest achievements.

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His most epic moment with the ‘Nationalelf’ would come in a match that, curiously, ended in defeat. In the semi-final of Mexico World Cup 70 between West Germany and Italy, the country in which the emblematic defender played, Schnellinger tied the transalpines at one in the 92nd minute, after the central Europeans, led by Franz Beckenbauer and Uwe Seelerthey would have been losing throughout the contest.

Later, in extra time, one of the most iconic moments in football history would take place, when Italy, after successive changes in the score, would win 4 to 3 in an extra time in which five goals were scored. It was known as “The Match of the Century.”

Schnellinger He would leave the national team shortly after that crash and retire permanently from football in 1975, after playing a final year in the Bundesliga in the ranks of Tennis Borussia Berlin.
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​Sports With EFE.