Hölzenbein’s former club Eintracht Frankfurt said in a
statement Tuesday that he died Monday while with his family, without giving
further details.
“One of the greatest we have ever had,” the club wrote on
social media.
Hölzenbein played 40 games for West Germany but is best
known for his role in the 2-1 comeback victory over the Netherlands to win the
World Cup on home soil in 1974.
Playing in Munich, the Germans had gone behind to an early penalty from Dutch midfielder Johan Neeskens. Hölzenbein helped get his team back into the game when he dribbled into the crowded Dutch box and was brought down by a lunging tackle from Wim Jansen. Paul Breitner converted the penalty to level the score at 1-1.
West Germany went on to win thanks to Gerd Müller’s goal
just before halftime and some robust defending to upset the favored Dutch team.
Hölzenbein went on to play another major final with West
Germany at the 1976 European Championship, where he scored in the final against
Czechoslovakia to level the score at 2-2 before his team lost on penalties.
Hölzenbein spent most of his club career with Frankfurt,
winning the UEFA Cup in 1980 and the German Cup three times. After retirement
he served as Frankfurt’s vice president and worked for the team as a scout. AP
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