World Cup - It's All About Winning

World Cup Spain 1982 - West Germany v Austria turned out to be a match to be remembered for all the wrong reasons. 

The Germans needed to win to qualify for the next stage; Austria needed only to avoid losing by more than 1 goal to ensure their qualification. 

When the Germans scored an early goal it meant that, providing no further goals were scored, both teams would advance to the next stage. 

Knowing very well the mathematical situation of the group, both teams blatantly stopped trying and spent the next 80 minutes passing the ball around at the back and making no effort whatsoever to attack the opposition's goal!

Fans in the stadium from both countries were disgusted and booed their own players, and national flags were seen burning on the terraces!

Amazingly, the result was allowed to stand and both teams entered the knock-out stages, with Germany going on to eventually lose 3-1 to Italy in the final.

As a result, since 1986, the final matches of the group stages have been played simultaneously to avoid a repeat of this episode.