This Thursday, 12 May marks the anniversary of Real Oviedo player, Isidro Lángara, scoring the two goals which gave Spain a famous victory against Germany in 1935, in a match which took place in Cologne against a backdrop of huge German nationalist celebration.

In front of various high powers within Adolf Hitler’s regime, and at the very peak of Nazism, the first ever football match between Germany and Spain was held, with a crowd of around 70,000.

Although only a friendly match, it held great importance for the Nazi regime, given Hitler’s stubborn defence of the belief that the German people held superior physical and psychological abilities.

“German nationalism was overflowing. Incredible importance was bestowed upon this confrontation,” wrote the news agency Noti-Sport. The stadium was teeming with swastikas and other Nazi symbols.

The German side took the lead through their captain, Conen, whose curled effort made the score 1-0, 11 minutes into the clash, and provoked delirium amongst the German fans.

But the German joy would not last long. 30 minutes into the tie the ball would arrive at the feet of Lángara. Despite being violently felled by a German defender, he managed to get a shot off from a difficult position on the floor that the German goalkeeper, Buchloh, was unable to prevent hitting the back of the net.

Upon finding themselves back on level terms, the German play became more violent. However, it was not enough to hold back Spain’s good football, which clearly dominated the match, and bore fruit once again minutes later.

In the 37th minute, following a good combination from the Spanish team, the ball fell to Lángara inside the box, who shot with his usual power and beat the German keeper once again.

In the second half, Spain had opportunities to increase their lead which owed much to Lángara; particularly one chance where the Oviedo striker beat several German players and came close to completing his hattrick.

The match saw Spain’s first victory against Germany, prompted great discontent amongst the Nazi regime who had organised it to celebrate a victory, and also increased the reputation of Isidro Lángara still further, who from then on was a fully acclaimed striker.