Germany took the lead through Helmut Haller before Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters scored to give England a 2-1 lead.
Germany, were on the brink of defeat until Wolfgang Weber popped up to score and take the match into extra time.
England took the lead once more, in what is widely regarded as one of the most controversial goals seen in a World Cup final.
England eventually won the match 4-2.
The Germans finished third in 1970 before they triumphed again in 1974, when they themselves hosted the event.
Germany's super striker of Mexico 1970, Gerd Muller scored four goals in the competition including the winner in the final against Holland, which Germany won 2-1.
Muller took his total to 14 World Cup goals in total - a record that stands to this day.
They were losing finalists to Italy in 1982 and Argentina in 1986, so it was a relief when they finally won their third title in 1990.
A penalty from Andreas Brehme settled the tie, in what was a bitterly fought match against Argentina.
Germany failed to reach the great standards they set themselves, by failing to make it past the last eight in the 1994 and 1998 tournaments.