Grzegorz Lato: Top scorer of the 1974 World Cup

At the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, Lato gave the world a real reason to remember his name, which until then had only been remembered by scouts and defenders from the Polish league.

Seven goals, one golden boot and a great comeback for Poland

Lato scored seven goals in seven matches , but he didn't take any penalties. He played fast, direct football and flew like an arrow on the wing. Although the Poles lost to the Germans in the semi-finals, they defeated Brazil in the third-place match – and it was Lato who decided the game . Seventh goal, seventh match. Symbolic.

His performances reflected the incredible strength of the Polish team of the 1970s , which had dominated the Olympics four years earlier and finished third in the world two years later.

What made Lata so special?

Explosiveness and timing – he wasn't a technical wizard, but his timing and runs were deadly.

Predator instinct – when the ball bounced in the penalty area, Lato knew exactly where to be.

Discipline and teamwork – he never played for a star, even though he was one.

A legend that Poles do not forget

Grzegorz Lato was more than just a top scorer. He was the face of Polish football at a time when the country lived in the shadow of the Iron Curtain, but through sport it proved it could be equal to anyone.

Today, he is talked about less than Lewandowski or Zieliński, but true fans know that without Lat there would be no Polish football glory.

Grzegorz Lato became one of the faces of the generation of Poles that literally made the whole country crazy about football. And it's great to see how Central Europe has produced and continues to produce world-class football stars.

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