Dick Nanninga
The Dutch forward who scored the equalizer in the 1978 World Cup final and became the first substitute sent off in a World Cup.
Dick Nanninga (17 January 1949 – 21 July 2015) was a Dutch footballer who played as a forward. At club level, he played for Dutch sides BV Veendam, Roda JC and MVV Maastricht. He also had a short spell with Hong Kong club Seiko. At international level, he represented the Netherlands at the 1978 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1980. He is Roda JC's all time topscorer having scored 107 goals in 225 matches for the Kerkrade-based club.
- Role
- Forward
- Major Honours
- FIFA World Cup: runner-up 1978
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Nanninga earned 15 caps and scored 6 goals for the Netherlands national football team. In the 1978 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina in Buenos Aires, he scored the equalizing goal in normal time, but Argentina went on to win 3–1 in extra time. In the same World Cup, Nanninga became the first substitute player to be sent off, 7 minutes after coming on against West Germany. He and Bernd Hölzenbein clashed as the Dutch took a free kick and Nanninga was shown the yellow card. He was then reported to have laughed at the referee's decision. Confusion reigned, as he was ordered off.
In Their Own Story
In 2012, Nanninga went into a coma and only regained consciousness five months later. Due to diabetes his left lower leg had to be amputated. In 2014 his right lower leg also had to be amputated. His death was announced on 21 July 2015.
Reader's Guide
Dick Nanninga is remembered for his goal-scoring instinct and aerial ability. He is Roda JC's all time topscorer having scored 107 goals in 225 matches for the Kerkrade-based club. At international level, he scored the equalizing goal in the 1978 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina. He also became the first substitute player to be sent off in a World Cup, 7 minutes after coming on against West Germany.
Did You Know?
- Dick Nanninga scored the equalizing goal for the Netherlands in the 1978 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina.
- He became the first substitute player to be sent off in a World Cup, just 7 minutes after coming on against West Germany in 1978.
- Nanninga is Roda JC's all time top scorer with 107 goals in 225 matches.
- He spent five months in a coma in 2012 after a diabetes-related health crisis.
- Both of Nanninga's lower legs were amputated due to diabetes complications before his death in 2015.
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