Winners of groups 2 and 4 (Brazil and Scotland) and runners-up of groups 1 and 3 (Argentina and Poland) formed another group of second round. Brazil wasn't as strong as it was 4 years earlier in Mexico, but was still seen as favourite of Group B. Defending champions started second with match against Argentina and defeated South American rivals 2-1. In the same round Poland tied with Scotland 2-2. Poland took 2-0 lead after goals scored by Szarmach and Deyna, but failed to hold it until final whistle-within last 15 minutes of match Scotland came back thanks to Jordan's two goals.
After first round of matches in group B Brazil was on good way to reach final, as all other teams in that group lost points, but then came a match regarded as most important 0-0 drawin Scotland's history. Scotland held World Champion to 0-0 draw. That day Brazil lost lead in the group, as Poland defeated Argentina 3-2, taking 2-0 lead after just 8 minutes thanks to goals scored by Lato and Szarmach and thanks to poor performance of Argentina's defense. Argentina recovered after initial shock and had chance to equalize score, but Poland hold the lead until final whistle.
Grzegorz Lato scores goal against Argentina.
Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-N0615-0029 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Brazil needed to defeat Poland to reach the final, as Poland has more goals scored. But it was Poland that scored only goal in second encounter between these teams at World Cup level. Goal scored by Grzegorz Lato in 76th minute happened to be victorious one. Brazil suffered first defeat at 1974 World Cup, defeat, that costed them final.
Polish players celebrating goal scored against Brazil.
Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-N0706-0039 / Mittelstädt, Rainer / CC-BY-SA 3.0
On 3 July it was excepted, that teams, that would advance to the final and third place play-off would be decided, but due to heavy rainfall, that changed Waldstadion in Frankfurt into swamp, match between Scotland and Argentina was moved to the next day [1]. And it happened, that it was only third place play off at stake in that game, as Poland secured first place in the group with victory over Brazil.
Waldstadion in Frankfurt, 3 July 1974. Due to heavy rainfall match between Argentina and Scotland, intended to be played at Waldstadion that day, was moved to 4 July.
Match between Argentina and Scotland, played on 4 July, ended with 1-1 draw-Larimer and Kempes scored for their teams within first 20 minutes. With such result Willie Ormond's team reached second place in group B and advanced to third place play off.
[1] In OTL there was match played on that swampy stadium between winner of group 4 and runner-up of group 1 (in OTL these were Poland and West Germany), infamous "Match on the Water". If there were other teams than Hosts involved, match would not be played likely, without pressure of West German Football Federation and media.