History => Late 1970s and early 1980s ..

West Germany failed to defend their titles in the next two major international tournaments. First they lost to Czechoslovakia in the final of Euro 76 in a penalty shootout by a score of 5–3, after the match finished 2–2, with Uli Hoeneß famously kicking the ball sky high. Since that loss, Germany has not lost a penalty shootout in major international tournaments. In fact, the last penalty missed by a German player dates back to the semi-finals of the 1982 World Cup when French goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ettori saved Uli Stielike's shot until Lukas Podolski's shot was saved by the Serbian goal keeper Stojković in the first round of the 2010 World cup to make it the first loss for the German team in the group game since 1986.

Then in the 1978 World Cup, they were eliminated in the second group stage after losing 3–2 to Austria which was already eliminated at that time, but surprised the Germans with their zeal to beat them anyway. Schön retired as coach afterwards, and the post was taken over by his assistant Jupp Derwall.

West Germany's first tournament under Derwall was successful, as they won Euro 80 after beating Belgium 2–1 in the final, their second European title. West Germany then reached the final of the 1982 World Cup, but not without difficulties. They were upset 2–1 by Algeria in their first match, but managed to sneak into the second round with a controversial 1–0 win over Austria as the result advanced both teams at the expense of the Algerians. Then in their semi-final against France, they came back from 3–1 down during extra time to tie the match 3–3, and won the following penalty shootout 5–4. In the final, they were defeated by Italy by a score of 3–1.

During the period of the 1970s and 80s, West Germany also achieved small success at the Olympic Games, most notably in the 1988 Olympics, when they won the bronze medal, while also reaching the Second Round in both 1972 and 1984. In the 1972 Olympics, West Germany played against East Germany in the second group stage, losing 3–2, one of only two major matches between the two German teams (the other one being the 1974 World Cup Group match, which also was won – 1–0 – by East Germany).

Toni Schumacher, along with Sergio Goycochea, holds the record for the most World Cup penalty shootout saves, with four. He saved two against France in 1982 and another two against Mexico in 1986.

West Germany also has one of the world's most productive goal scorers in Gerd Müller, who racked up fourteen goals in just two World Cups. His ten goals in 1970 are the third most in a tournament, just behind France's Just Fontaine and Hungarian Sándor Kocsis. Though Müller's all time Finals score was broken by Ronaldo in 2006, it took the latter three tournaments to do so (1998, 2002, 2006). France's Just Fontaine is in third place all-time, with thirteen goals, all scored at the 1958 World Cup.