The London Times: Bulgaria humble Germans

From David Miller in New Jersey

In one of the most notable surprises in the World Cup since Germany themselves defeated Hungary in the 1954 final, the champions were ousted in the quarter-final here in Giants Stadium yesterday by Bulgaria, the rank outsiders. Until 14 minutes from the end, Germany looked calm, clear victors.

Then, suddenly, they were toppled by two goals in three minutes, the winning header coming from Yordan Lechkov, who plays with Hamburger SV and whose 27th birthday has been the day before.

It is hard to describe the look of dismay, disbelief and, so unusual for them, capitulation on the faces of the German team in the instant that Lechkov soared above Helmer to meet a looping cross from Yankov. With barely six minutes remaining [mai greshi tuk - byaha 10-11 min - PT], the Germans knew that, barring some unlikely stroke of fortune, their dominance that has extended through three final matches since 1982 - twice runners up - was, for the moment, at an end.

Now the Bulgarians, who now play Italy in the semifinals, relished their triumph as did those of their supporters billowing red-white-and-green flags here in the huge stadium. As the Germans dragged themselves dejectedly away from the scene and down the tunnel after the finish, the Bulgarians, the substitutes, the trainers and just about anyone present from Sofia who could get a foot on the pitch staged a photo-session for the benefit of posterity that was worthy of Holywood. You would think they had won the trophy.

It is indeed a remarkable story for this former Soviet satellite, at present grinding its way through the throes of a new democracy and economic survival. Bulgaria are only here thanks to an injury-time goal in Paris; in five previous World Cup final tournaments their record was no wins, four draws and six defeats. Yet, what a scalp this was!

Dimitar Penev, the Bulgaria coach, said his side had played the perfect tactical match. "I'm very happy, not just with the result, but with the way we played," he said. "Tactically we did everything we had to do and if we had taken our chances we, we would never have had to come from behind.

"We will start thinking about playing Italy in the next few days. Our last three games have all been very difficult for us, but we'll have the same players on duty and we will try to do the same thing to them."

Germany's record over the ten previous qurater-finals was nine wins and one defeat and, once they had survived a purple spell during which Balakov hit the post by Bulgaria in the first quarter of an hour, it seemed that the familiar German machine was marching on relentlessly. They went ahead four minutes into the second half with a penaly by Matthaus after Lechkov had chop-tackled Klnismann inside the penalty area. Here was a referee's decision, by Jose Torres, an energetic Columbian, at which none could complain.

As the second half wore on, with the mid-day temperature now approaching 90F, there was the appearance of men against boys. Germany were looking physically stronger, more assured, tactically compact, and the Bulgarians' flair, which in the first half had been so fluid and imaginative, seemed to have withered. From where could they find a reply?

When they did, it was too little, too infrequent. With just over 20 minutes remaining, Kostadinov, the striker with FC Porto cut in from the left and let rip with a drive that Illgner fumbled on the line. But the ball rolled around the post for a corner. A header by Kostadinov a few minutes later flew wide of the top corner.

In between, Germany pressed forward, the blond confident Klinsmann and Voller defying their years to create a threat almost every time they were in possesion. So close were they to going beyond reach with a second goal moments before Bulgaria's astonishing revival. Buchwald, who had played a commanding role in central, deep midfield, thrust forward and found Hassler on the left.

He made ground along the touchline, feigned to cross and then pulled the ball back into the path of of the midfield colleague, Moller. With one of the most powerful shots seen in three weeks, Moller battered the ball against the left-hand post from 14 yards. Germany felt they might score on the rebound only for Klinsmann to be given offside.

Now came the climax. What looked like a harmless free kick was given away by Germany a few yards outside their penaly area on the left; maybe 26 yards from Illgner's line. Stoichkov, who had suffered that barren European Cup final with Barcelona, stood waiting, content, while Germany lined up a five man wall. With a little staccato run, Stoichkov moved forward, clipped the ball left footed it curved over the wall and inside the left post with Illgner stranded.

Germany braced themselves for counter-attack, for extra time. How deluded they were. Back came Bulgaria almost immediately, Yankov floated a ball right to left and there was Lechkov's balding head to put his country in a semi-final for the first time.

What a field day the photographers had. mind, you everybody gets their pictures taken here. even the police team posed afterwards for theirs.

London