In the 3rd minute, Rudi Völler, who had been forced off with a leg injury in the semi-final against England,[8] had the first clear-cut opportunity to score from close range following a free-kick cross by Andreas Brehme, but his off-balance toe punt went off target.

West Germany won another free kick in a more dangerous position two minutes later when Pierre Littbarski was fouled in the penalty arc.

Brehme's shot hit the wall and Klaus Augenthaler's follow-up long-range strike was saved by Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea.

In the 13th minute, Völler failed to receive Brehme's outswinging cross, and the ball supposedly struck the arm of the Argentina defender Oscar Ruggeri.

Pedro Monzón had the distinction of being the first player to be sent off at a FIFA World Cup final, after being shown a straight red card for a reckless studs up challenge on Jürgen Klinsmann; FIFA had warned its officials to enforce the rules and Monzón had raised his foot during the tackle, a foul that Klinsmann claims left a 15-centimetre (6 in) gash on his shin.

[11] In the 78th minute, after an incorrectly given corner kick, West German captain Matthäus lost the ball inside his own penalty area and then appeared to trip Gabriel Calderón.

[12] Six minutes from full time, Codesal incurred the wrath of the Argentinians after awarding West Germany a questionable[13][14][7] penalty kick for Roberto Sensini's sliding tackle on Völler.

Regular penalty taker Matthäus had been forced to replace his boots during the match and did not feel comfortable in the new ones,[15] so Andreas Brehme took his place and converted the spot kick with a low, right-footed shot to the goalkeeper's right.

After dismissing Dezotti, Codesal was surrounded and jostled by the rest of the Argentinian team, with Maradona receiving a yellow card for dissent.

[17] At the final whistle, Maradona, who was man marked by Guido Buchwald for almost the entire match,[18] burst into tears and blamed the referee for the loss.

[16] Argentina entered the game with four players suspended and ended it with nine men on the field, overall losing over half their squad due to injury or suspension.