Soccer....and West Germany, the defending world champions, struggled to beat England in a friendly international played in Munich's Olympic stadium, on Wednesday (22 February). England led until the last 10 minutes. The final score 2-1 to West Germany.

SYNOPSIS: Germany, in the light shirts began the game knowing their second team had been beaten by an England second team the previous night.

And it was England again who took the initiative. From this free kick a flying header by England's centre forward Stuart Pearson went narrowly wide.

But Pearson made no mistake when he headed England's goal just before half time.

In the second half West Germany began to work their way back into the game. They used up all three substitutes allowed. From this move West Germany moved from defence into attack and came close to scoring.

Here the West German winger Karl-Heinz Rummenigge again came close to scoring the equaliser. His shot went just wide of the England goalkeeper's right hand post.

West Germany eventually equalised 10 minutes from time. It was the substitute Ronnie Worm who scored....as he had done in the junior game the night before.

There were five minutes left when West Germany won the game. Their midfield player Rainer Bonhof scored from a disputed free kick just outside the penalty area. He curled it around the wall and England players complained unsuccessfully he had taken it too soon.