Andreas Brehme

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

As a member of the (West) Germany national team, Brehme took part at UEFA Euro 1984, the 1984 Summer Olympics, the 1986 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1988, the 1990 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1992, and the 1994 World Cup. He was named in the team of the tournament at Euro 84, and helped Germany to the semi-finals of Euro 88, on home soil, scoring a goal in the nation's 1–1 opening draw against Italy. At Euro 1992, he won a runners-up medal, as Germany lost out 2–0 to Denmark in the final; he was once again named to the team of the tournament. Brehme won a runners-up medal at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, as Germany lost the final to Argentina, yet he won the World Cup in 1990 against the same opponents, later being named to the competition's All-star team. In the 1986 World Cup semi-final he scored a deflected free-kick against France, and in the 1990 semi-final he also scored a free-kick goal against England, which also took a deflection off of English defender Paul Parker. In the 1990 edition of the tournament, en route to the final, he also previously set up Klinsmann's headed goal in Germany's opening 4–1 against Yugoslavia, and scored the second goal against the Netherlands with a right-footed curler in the second round. In the 1990 World Cup final, a 1–0 victory over Argentina, he scored the goal, a penalty kick with his right foot. Brehme scored in the victorious penalty-shootout against Mexico in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals with his left foot, while he scored his nation's first spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out victory against England in the 1990 World Cup semi-finals with his right foot. Brehme's last of his 86 caps for the national team came during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which ended with a disappointing quarter-final exit for his team after a loss against Bulgaria.

In Their Own Story

The 1990 World Cup final. 85th minute. 0-0 against Argentina. Brehme stepped up to take a penalty kick with his right foot. He scored, securing a 1-0 victory and the World Cup for Germany. This was not his only decisive moment in World Cup knockout matches. Four years earlier, in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final penalty shootout against Mexico, he scored with a left foot piledriver. In the 1990 semi-final against England, he scored his nation's first spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out victory with his right foot. Beyond penalties, he scored a deflected free-kick against France in the 1986 semi-final and another deflected free-kick against England in the 1990 semi-final. Earlier in the 1990 tournament, he set up Klinsmann's headed goal in Germany's opening 4–1 win against Yugoslavia and scored the second goal against the Netherlands with a right-footed curler in the second round.

Reader's Guide

Andreas Brehme earned 86 caps for the German national team. His international career spanned from UEFA Euro 1984 through the 1994 FIFA World Cup. He was named in the UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament in both 1984 and 1992. He helped Germany reach the semi-finals of Euro 88 on home soil, scoring in a 1–1 draw against Italy. He won a runners-up medal at Euro 1992 after a 2–0 loss to Denmark in the final. At the World Cup, he was a runner-up in 1986 and a winner in 1990, being named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 1990. His last cap came during the 1994 World Cup, which ended with a quarter-final exit after a loss against Bulgaria. Brehme was known for his ambidexterity: he took penalties with his right foot (including the 1990 final winner) and free kicks and corners with his left foot. National team manager Franz Beckenbauer stated: 'I have known Andy for 20 years and I still don't know if he is right or left-footed.'

Did You Know?

• Brehme scored the winning goal in the 1990 World Cup final from an 85th-minute penalty kick with his right foot.
• He scored in the victorious penalty-shootout against Mexico in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals with his left foot.
• He scored a deflected free-kick against France in the 1986 World Cup semi-final and another deflected free-kick against England in the 1990 semi-final.
• National team manager Franz Beckenbauer said: 'I have known Andy for 20 years and I still don't know if he is right or left-footed.'
• Brehme's last of his 86 caps for the national team came during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which ended with a quarter-final exit after a loss against Bulgaria.