Austrian · Vienna, Austria · Born 14 February 1953Hans Krankl is an Austrian football legend renowned for scoring the winning goal in the 'Miracle of Córdoba' against West Germany at the 1978 World Cup, and for winning the European Golden Shoe and Spanish Pichichi Trophy.
Hans Krankl's 88th-minute winner against West Germany at the 1978 World Cup — the goal at the centre of 'Das Wunder von Córdoba' — announced to Europe an attacker who had just claimed the 1977-78 European Golden Shoe with 41 goals, and would go on to score 270 times in the Austrian Bundesliga, the competition's all-time record. He won the European Golden Shoe in the 1977-78 season with 41 league goals, becoming the competition's top scorer across Europe and drawing interest from major clubs abroad. Krankl's greatest moment came at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, where he scored both of Austria's goals in a stunning 3-2 upset win over defending champions and neighbours West Germany, immortalised as 'Das Wunder von Córdoba' (the Miracle of Córdoba) — Austria's first win over West Germany in 47 years. His decisive 88th-minute winner and the ecstatic radio commentary that accompanied it remain iconic moments in Austrian sporting history, and his tournament form saw him finish just six points behind Kevin Keegan in that year's Ballon d'Or voting. Krankl's Córdoba heroics earned him a transfer to FC Barcelona, where in his debut 1978-79 season he won the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga's top scorer with 29 goals, and helped the club win the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, scoring twice in the final win over Fortuna Düsseldorf. He returned to Rapid Wien in 1981, captaining the side to two league titles and three Austrian Cups over the following five seasons. Krankl retired in 1989 with 270 goals in 361 Austrian Bundesliga appearances, the competition's all-time record, and went on to a long coaching career, including managing the Austrian national team from 2002 to 2005.
Scoring the winning goal in the 'Miracle of Córdoba' upset of West Germany at the 1978 World Cup
How They Played
Prolific, clinical striker renowned for an exceptional goal-scoring instinct and powerful finishing with both feet
Lasting Impact
Widely regarded as one of Austria's greatest-ever footballers, his Córdoba goal remains one of the most celebrated moments in the country's sporting history
Career Honours
- European Golden Shoe winner (1978, 41 league goals)
- Pichichi Trophy winner (1979, La Liga top scorer, Barcelona)
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winner (1979, Barcelona)
- Copa del Rey winner (1979, Barcelona)
- 5x Austrian Footballer of the Year
- Austrian Bundesliga's all-time leading scorer (270 goals)
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Wien | 1970–1978 | — |
| Barcelona | 1978–1981 | — |
| Rapid Wien | 1981–1986 | — |
| Wiener Sport-Club | 1986–1988 | — |
| Kremser SC | 1988–1988 | — |
| Austria Salzburg | 1989–1989 | — |
Austrian Athletes