1986 – Page 14 – Football Journey

July 8, 2020July 8, 2020

Group F

Group F. 
02.06.86 (16.00) Monterrey, Estadio Universitario

MAR - POL 0:0

(~19000) Martinez URU, Quiniou FRA, Traore MLI

MAR: Zaki (c) - Khalifa, El Biaz, Bouyahyaoui, Lemriss - Dolmy, El Haddaoui (69 Souleymani), Timoumi (90 Khairi) - M.Merry, Krimau
POL: Młynarczyk - Kubicki (46 Przybyś), Wójcicki, Majewski, Ostrowski - Matysik, Buncol, Komornicki, Boniek (c) - Smolarek, Dziekanowski (56 Urban)

booked: Timoumi

It all depends... for many, Morocco was a surprise; for others – Poland was not much at the moment and the result was expected. The Africans was the better team, especially when their opponents appeared to be sluggish and clueless on the field. Poland came to life only in the second half, only to discover that desire is not enough and Morocco has well organized defence. Largely, Poland was lucky to escape a loss. Piechniczek only wondered after the game how it was possible to play at the World Cup finals without any mood to win, but he also sounded resigned. Faria was all smiles, pointing out to the journalists that his Morocco only follows in the steps of Tunisia'78 and Algeria'82 – African football was no joke and there was no gap between African teams and the leading football nations now. 
03.06.86 (16.00) Monterrey, Estadio Tecnologico

POR - ENG 1:0 (0:0)

(~23000) Roth GER, Dochev BUL, Al-Sharif SYR

POR: Bento (c) - Alvaro, Frederico, Oliveira, Inacio - Diamantino
(83 José Antonio), Jaime Pacheco, André, Sousa - Carlos Manuel, Gomes (73Futre)
ENG: Shilton - G.M.Stevens, Fenwick, Butcher, Sansom - Hoddle, Robson (c - 60 Hodge), Wilkins, Waddle (80 Beardsley) - Hateley, Lineker

1:0 Carlos Manuel 75

booked: Jaime Pacheco / Fenwick, Butcher

It was expected to be interesting clash, but England was also expected to win – there was plenty of praise of Bobby Robson's team before the finals. A major favourite. Portugal was greatly promising team in 1984, but that was 2 years ago and meantime did not look like the Portuguese moved up. And the beginning of the match was true to expectations... England went into relentless attacks, Portugal hardly stepped in the English half of the field. With time, also became clear that England was not new, but old: speedy, hungry, dedicated to attack, but the same predictable straight-forward football they played for ages, lacking imagination, improvisation and surprise. England looked dangerous, but Portugal had no big difficulty defending, patiently waiting for their own chance. Bento was the hero, saving fantastic balls, England had no luck – and no luck, for there was no enough skill, and the minutes passed one after another. Then Portugal dropped the bomb – Futre replaced Gomes, somewhat late in the game, but what a surprise to the English players the youngster was... unpleasant surprise. Suddenly Portugal was incredibly dangerous, the English was too slow for Futre, and as soon as their efforts were concentrated on stopping him, other dangers loomed, ending with a goal in the net Shilton. And there was no answer to it, although there was still plenty of time. Surprise, surprise, England lost. Robson blamed the loss on rotten luck: one mistake and the opponents scored... dominating performance, so many scoring opportunities and nothing... rotten luck. Torres recalled the past – in 1966 the team he played in lost to England and now he was happy to take revenge. He had worries, though, still unvoiced – the 37-years old Bento, who played fantastic match, injured himself in a clash with Lineker. Most likely to be out for the rest of the championship... which was too bad, for not only the captain was in wonderful form, but he also inspired by example.

06.06.86 (16.00) Monterrey, Estadio Tecnologico

ENG - MAR 0:0

(+20000) González PAR, Kirschen DDR, Espsito ARG

ENG: Shilton - G.M.Stevens, Fenwick, Butcher, Sansom - Hoddle, Robson (c - 42 Hodge), Wilkins - Waddle, Hateley (76 G.A.Stevens), Lineker
MAR: Zaki (c) - Khalifi, El Biaz, Bouyahyaoui, Lemriss (74 Ouadani) – Dolmy, Timoumi, Khairi, M.Merry (88 Souleymani) - Bouderbala, Krimau

booked: Wilkins, Hateley / Khalifi, Khairi
sent off: Wilkins (42)

England had to win this match, no other way. Robson apparently tried to change the approach – expecting defensive play from the Moroccans, the ball was kept in midfield, controlled by the English in hope that the Moroccans will be lured to move a bit forward and thus open some space. But Faria's boys did not not... they were disciplined squad, knowing what to do. England was confronted by tied, well organized defensive team, which had skillful players able to organize deadly fast counterattacks. Because of the sheep brutality displayed in Group E, little attention was paid to what was going on the pitch in other groups – chopping and hacking was plentiful here too, the 'fair' English already collected 2 yellow cards in the first match, now, perhaps bitter that once again they could not prevail, nerves showed again, culminating with the expulsion of Ray Wilkins in the 42^nd minute. The second half Morocco had one man advantage and life was easier for them: they attacked rarely and Shilton had nothing to do practically the whole game, but look at the other side: England attacked constantly and Zaki, the Moroccon goalkeeper, had nothing to do as well – English strikers were blocked early, there was dominance, but no opportunities for kicking the ball toward Zaki's net. Hollow dominance and 0-0 at the final whistle. Robson confessed that he did not expect such organized play from Morocco. If he really did not study Morocco... how was one of the hottest coaches in the world at the moment? Most likely Robson chose to take the blame on himself, hiding much bitterer truth: he had no other options, especially in midfield, and could not change anything – Bryan Robson, Hoddle, Waddle were good, but hardly on the same level with the world class midfielders. And they had problems with injuries on top of it. Ray Wilkins perhaps was a mistake as an idea – moved back as defensive midfielder, the veteran was a player of the old British school, dragging unwittingly his teammates into the kind of football which did not work for years. Hateley was similar – a classic English center-forward – so the game quickly deteriorated into the old ineffective kick and run approach with crosses aimed at the center-forward. Lineker's mobility and surprise was lost in such football, so well known and predicatble by now, that Morocco had no trouble blocking all English efforts. Faria even did not have to say much after the game, not even boast.

07.06.86 (16.00) Monterrey, Estadio Universitario

POL - POR 1:0 (0:0)

(-20000)

POL: Młynarczyk - Pawlak, Wójcicki, Majewski, Ostrowski – Matysik, Komornicki (57 Karaś), Boniek (c) - Smolarek (75 Zgutczyński), Dziekanowski, Urban
POR: Damas - Alvaro, Frederico, Oliveira, Inacio - Diamantino, Jaime Pacheco, André (73 J.Magalhaes), Sousa - Carlos Manuel, Gomes (c - 46 Futre)

1:0 Smolarek 64

booked: Wójcicki, Dziekanowski

Third match – third surprise! Portugal was seen as the favourite here, but Bento broke his leg in training – very likely the bruises collected against England helped – and that required some changes. Since Portugal needed only a point to reach the next round, the change was relative – increasing the defensive approach, taking special care to kill attacks early, for Damas, 38-years old, had enourmous experience, but played little for the national team and he was no Bento. And worries about Damas were well justified... once he made mistake and the game was to lost. Poland played nothing again, the combination Boniek-Smolarek did not work as it used to, although skill and experience helped when mattered: Smolarek did not miss the chance and scored the only goal in the match. There was nothing good to say about the quality of football played, but the Polish win elevated this group as the most intriguing one: before the last round no team qualified yet, everyone had a chance to go ahead – or to be eliminated. This situation also brought hopes that now, when it was all or nothing, the teams will play some interesting football at last.

11.06.86 (16.00) Monterrey, Estadio Universitario

ENG - POL 3:0 (3:0)

(-23000) Daina SUI, Christov CZE, Brummeier AUT

ENG: Shilton (c) - G.M.Stevens, Fenwick, Butcher, Sansom - Hoddle, Steven, Hodge, Reid - Beardsley (76 Waddle), Lineker (86 Dixon)
POL: Młynarczyk - Pawlak, Wójcicki, Majewski, Ostrowski - Matysik (46 Buncol), Komornicki (24 Karaś), Boniek, Smolarek - Dziekanowski, Urban

1:0 Lineker 8, 2:0 Lineker 14, 3:0 Lineker 36

booked: Fenwick

What to do? Piechniczek did nothing. Boniek-Smolarek. There was nobody else anyway, certainly nobody promising at the moment. Robson, however, changed four players, a radical rework of the midfield – Wilkins was suspended, Robson and Hateley so far disappointed. The changes worked, though – England was immediately different, Lineker got better feed and support and suddenly he became exactly what he should have been from start: the prime striker. Poland had no answer – the most coach and team could do was having a big 'manly' discussion after the match with Portugal. Since Poland could not change anything else, all came to familiar pep-talk 'to show character'. It worked somewhat – Poland came to life and with that, to peril. Lineker scored 3 goals in the first half and character or no character, the campaign was over. Poland tried to score, but Shilton prevented all efforts to change the result. Robson was relieved at the end, Piechniczek... just as well, for there was radio and the other group match ended at the same time: Poland was not going home yet.
11.06.86 (16.00) Monterrey, Estadio Tecnologico

MAR - POR 3:1 (2:0)

(-24000) Snoddy NIR, Roth GER, Butenko ZSR

MAR: Zaki (c) - Khalifi, El Biaz, Bouyahyaoui, Lemriss (69 Amanallah) – Dolmy, El Haddaoui (71 Souleymani), Timoumi, Khairi - Bouderbala, Krimau
POR: Damas - Alvaro (55 Rui Aguas), Frederico, Oliveira, Inacio – Pacheco, J.Magalhaes, Sousa (69 Diamantino), Carlos Manuel - Gomes (c), Futre

1:0 Khairi 19, 2:0 Khairi 28, 3:0 Krimau 62, 3:1 Diamantino 90

booked: Gomes

All or nothing for both teams, but it was expected that Portugal will prevail – Morocco may crumble under pressure, so was the wisdom. A tie would have been a nightmare, though – both teams would be not only with the same points, but with exactly the same goal-difference. It would have been even worse if England-Poland also ended in a tie. Calculations slightly favoured Portugal if the match was tied. Morocco's calculations were different: Polish loss was bad for them, a tie was not going to work in their favour. May be. It was so complicated, that the development of this match required constant listening to what was going on in the other group match and re-adjustments during the game, a very difficult task, if possible at all. Thus, Morocco seemingly placed their bets on Portuguese cautious defensive approach and chose to attack. It worked and they scored. England scored as well, so now it was different game – Portugal needed to attack, Morocco was prepared to use fully the moment and soon managed to score a second goal – good shots both times, but Damas was no Bento for sure: no heroics from him. The second half was a matter of maturity: Portugal was unable to convert its play into more dangerous attacking approach and Morocco defended itself well, helped by its own lead and the known result in the other game. Only after scoring their third goal the Africans lowered their guard and Portugal managed to scored one goal. After the match Faria was pleased to recall how the same journalists sarcastically laughed at his words in the previous press-conferences: well, they laughed, but he was right! Who was going to laugh now? Everything happened exactly as he said it will before the games started: the European teams would fight each other to no clear success of any and Morocco had a good chance to go ahead when nobody was looking. Look at the final table, if you please. As for the future – Faria would not dare speculate, he was happy that his team achieved undeniable success already.
1. MAR^ 3 1 2 0 4 3-1
2. ENG^ 3 1 1 1 3 3-1
3. POL^ 3 1 1 1 3 1-3
4. POR 3 1 0 2 2 2-4


Portugal was going home. Perhaps rightly so, although it was chancy elimination in this group. There were few things working against this team: one, Portugal did not developed further after 1984 – rather, stepped down a bit. Second, the team lost two very important players – first Chalana, quite a long time before the World Cup and Bento after the first group game. Both were practically irreplaceable and their absence affected negatively the team's play. And Gomes was getting old by now and perhaps not the same deadly striker anymore, especially when there were limited opportunities. Third, Paulo Futre was still very young, a promising, but not yet a key player with central role. Without Chalana and with Futre not yet at his prime, Portugal had no real creative playmaker to make difference on the pitch. Forth, too much calculating – Portugal seemingly played with caution, aiming at securing a point and if some chance came up – only then may be a win. But such approach made it very difficult to switch into openly attacking football when the result was negative. Too much caution made them lose at the end and not only that, but Portugal hardly left memorable moments of its performance.

July 4, 2020

Group E

Group E.

04.06.86 (12.00) Queretaro, Estadio La Corregidora

GER – URU 1:1 (0:1)

(+30000) Christov CZE, Silva CHI, Valente POR

GER: Schumacher (c) – Berthold, K.H.Förster, Eder, Briegel – Matthäus (70 Rummenigge), Magath, Brehme (46 Littbarski), Augenthaler – Völler, K.Allofs

URU: Alvez – Diogo, Acevedo, Gutierrez, Batista – Bossio, Barrios (c – 56 Saralegui), Santin, Francescoli – Alzamendi (82 Ramos), da Silva

0:1 Alzamendi 4, 1:1 K.Allofs 85

booked: Diego, Saralegui

Later it was considered that this match was not ugly only because it was the first match for each team was still somewhat restricted in its attitude, but mostly because the Uruguayans scored early and were concerned with preserving their fragile lead. When the Germans finally equalized, there was simply no enough time for earnest brutality. Yet, the only meaningful reason for such considerations is that this match pales compared to what followed – every new game was more monstrous. As for kicking and hacking, there was plenty of both, delivered by both teams and from start to finish. It was still ‘normal’ – Germans were disciplined butchers: they did it as the course of the game dictated, as a matter of fact, as something needed, something ‘professional’ – it was they who gave the name characterizing the 1980s football: ‘tactical foul’. No malice, just business, you know. The Uruguayans – well, South Americans were known for ages as brutes, who kick and kill in order to get what they need, adding long lasting protests and arguing with referees. Hardly anyone was surprised that this match was ‘masculine’, especially after knowing that West Germany did not have a great team and so far German teams reduced football to cold merciless battle on so many occasions. Uruguay, however, scored very early goal after tremendous mistake made by Matthaus. After that Uruguay was just killing the time, careful not to give chances to their deadly opponents. It was known they have defensive concept, so no surprise in what they were doing, but in this match all deficiencies of West Germany were displayed: lack of imagination, inability to do anything creative in order of penetrating tough defence, shaky defence in the same time, so vulnerable to speedy counter-attacks. Tireless running, physical strength, ambition – what was the benefit of all that when skills were lacking. Beckenbauer did what one could possibly do – increased the number of strikers, fielding Rummenigge and Littbarski in the second half, so he had now 4 strikers, but it looked like desperate move, the last resort. It did not really work, but by hook and crook, after not even an attack, but rather chaotic kicking of the ball ahead, Allofs managed to equalize. 1-1. Beckenbauer had little so say – facing a wall of journalists clearly not on his side, especially the German ones, he only tried not to look defeatist. Yet, the result was only acceptable, fair, after such a match. Borras perhaps was satisfied with the draw, but he also had many enemies in the press, so tried lame phylosophy: ‘The result is not contrary to what we saw – it is only logical that if one team is mainly attacking, then the other team would be mainly defending. We excelled in defending.’ Not what the Uruguayan journalists wanted to hear – Borras was disliked presizely for his defensive concept. But nothing fatal – nobody lost a game here.

04.06.86 (16.00) Nezahualcoyotl, Estadio Neza ’86

DAN – SCO 1:0 (0:0)

(~18000) Nemeth HUN, Al-Shanar ARS, Kirschen DDR

DAN: Rasmussen – Busk, M.Olsen, I.Nielsen, Lerby (c) – J.Olsen (80 Mølby), Berggreen, Bertelsen, Arnesen (76 Sivebæk) – Laudrup, Elkjær-Larsen

SCO: Leighton – Gough, Malpas, McLeish, Miller – Souness (c), Aitken, Nicol, Nicholas – Strachan (75 Bannon), Sturrock (63 McAvennie)

1:0 Eljkær-Larsen 58

booked: Berggreen

Vastly different teams, but both ready to give their best – the difference was in what consisted ‘best’. The ‘Danish dynamite’ was in the mouth of everybody, a team compared to great Ajax of the 1970s. Attacking minded, creative, enjoyable squad, which played with artistry without forgetting that opponents have to be blocked, pressed, and made uncomfortable. Their approach was to outplay the opponent and some deficiencies, real or imagined, in defence were brushed aside. The Scots were difficult team to outplay, they were fearless, also attacking minded, and not giving up ever. Their squad was not as mighty as it used to be, but Alex Ferguson was great motivator and knew what to do – the lack of class was easily compensated with spirit and collective work. The trouble was they played predictable and easy to read British football without any clever moves. Which decided the outcome – the Danes were able to get the ball well before their penalty area and launch a new attack, which in turn the Scots tried to destroy one way or the other. Legs suffered, or course, but still it was in the realm of ‘manly’ football, not nakedly ugly. At the end the Danes scored a goal and were the better team. Pointek was more than optimistic, saying that his is just the beginning and the best will come later. Ferguson was a bit worried, but just a bit.

08.06.86 (12.00) Queretaro, Estadio La Corregidora

GER – SCO 2:1 (1:1)

(~30000) Igna ROM, Dochev BUL, Snoddy NIR

GER: Schumacher (c) – Berthold, K.H.Förster, Eder, Briegel (64 Jakobs) – Matthäus, Magath, Littbarski (76 Rummenigge), Augenthaler – Völler, K.Allofs

SCO: Leighton – Gough, Malpas, Narey, Miller – Souness (c), Aitken, Nicol (61 McAvennie), Strachan – Bannon (75 Cooper), Archibald

0:1 Strachan 18, 1:1 Völler 22, 2:1 K.Allofs 50

booked: Archibald, Bannon, Malpas

Again, a tough match. Again, a ‘manly’ match – such were the opponents. Scotland was a bit better than the Germans to the eye, but not prevailing. The Germans were still in shambles, but since they were always fighting team, there was no way to outrun and outplay them. Like in the opening match, they first received a goal and had to come back somehow. A Scottish mistake helped them to equalize. Then managed to score a second goal in the second half. The straight-forward football prevented Scotland to do more in a match in which they were the slightly better team: they hardly made any surprise move, thus there was little trouble for the German defence. After the match Beckenbauer said that Scotland was the better team and he was worried to the last second. Ferguson perhaps had nothing really to say – once again, Scotland played bravely and no more. It looks the Scots were going home after the first round, as they did in 1974, 78, and 82.

08.06.86 (16.00) Nezahualcoyotl, Estadio Neza ’86

DAN – URU 6:1 (2:1)

(+26000) Márquez MEX, Arppi Filho BRA, Keizer HOL

DAN: Rasmussen – Busk, M.Olsen, I.Nielsen, Lerby (c), Andersen – Berggren, Bertelsen (57 Mølby), Arnesen – Laudrup (81 J.Olsen), Elkjær-Larsen

URU: Alvez – Diogo, Acevedo (c), Gutierrez, Batista – Bossio, Saralegui, Santin (57 Salazar), Francescoli – Alzamendi (57 Ramos), da Silva

1:0 Elkjær-Larsen 11, 2:0 Lerby 41, 2:1 Francescoli 45+ p, 3:1 Laudrup

52, 4:1 Elkjær-Larsen 69, 5:1 Elkjær-Larsen 79, 6:1 J.Olsen 88

booked: I.Nielsen / Bossio, da Silva

sent off: Bossio (20)

The Danish dynamite exploded in this game and utterly destroyed Uruguay. Once again Ajax was recalled – they played fascinating football, but if they had to kick opponents, and provoke them – they did it just as well. Looked like Piontek’s Denmark was exactly form the same school: the Danes not only matched Uruguayan roughness, but cleverly provoked it with deliberate vicious tackles of their own. Nielsen started the butchery early in the game and was booked, but his job was done – the Uruguayans were seeing red. Soon it was 1-0 Denmark, which completely enraged Uruguay and Bossio was sent off in the 20th minute. This more or less finished the game – Denmark was not intimidated and had 70 minutes to play against 10 men. Denmark was flying, especially in the second half, when Uruguay, already heavily losing suddenly decided to go into some massive attacks, leaving their own gate practically defenseless. It was a lesson of great creative football given by the Danes, one of the most important parts of it was that if you can play creative football brutality cannot do anything. Stiff, calculated physical football had its opposite and there was no question which way the game should go: miserable 1-0 victory, extracted more by luck than by skill was beyond compare with joyous creative attacking football, scoring 6 goals. Borras just waved his hands helplessly: ‘It was obvious at mid-break that we had to change tactics. But change with what? We have nothing else.’ Piontek was proud and boastful: ‘This was real football. Football should be always a great spectacle, not drudging work.’ He was right, fans and journalists wanted precisely that, but may be his enthusiasm blinded him in the long run.

13.06.86 (12.00) Queretaro, Estadio La Corregidora

DAN – GER 2:0 (1:0)

(~36000) Ponnet BEL, Fredriksson SWE, Bambridge AUS

DAN: Høgh – Busk, M.Olsen, Sivebæk, Lerby (c), Andersen – Mølby, Arnesen – Laudrup, J.Olsen (71 Simonsen), Elkjær-Larsen (46 Eriksen)

GER: Schumacher (c) – Berthold, K.H.Förster (71 Rummenigge), Eder, Herget – Jakobs, Matthäus, Rolff (46 Littbarski), Brehme – Völler, K.Allofs

1:0 J.Olsen 44 p, 2:0 Eriksen 83

booked: Arnesen / Eder, Jakobs

sent off: Arnesen (89)

Let’s face it – this was match without intrigue and importance. Both teams already qualified, they really could have taking it easy. Especially because this group played last, all other results were known and the future was calculable. The group winner was going to face Spain, the 2nd- placed – Morocco. Well, it was better to finish second… Piontek seemingly did not care. Beckenbauer was in worse situation, for his team was not playing well, was constantly and rightly criticized, and he himself was unhappy with his team’s delivery. On one hand, second place was the rational thing to do… on the other hand, this team had to find some chemistry, some way to play football. At the end, the match proved to be the tough and tense, and brutal. Kicking was natural thing to do, both teams did not shy, the Germans under pressure started looking like the Uruguayans, except they were crafty butchers, always on the border line, always hacking when looking like they go for the ball, it was very difficult to book them, they were the grand masters of the cold, ‘professional’ butchery in the 1980s – they invented it after all. So, at the end of the game, Denmark paid heavy price – they won the useless game, but, more naive than the Germans, lost a key player: Arnesen was redcarded in the last minute. They lost their playmaker for the next match… The better team won, that was fine and right, at least the disgrace of 1982 was not repeated, but perhaps this match was crucial for Piontek: his team getting stronger after each game and beating mighty West Germany seemingly made Piontek overconfident. No tricks, just pure football… not bad, but here was the result: hyped-up team, believing nothing ever could go wrong, already looking to the final, which had to meat tough Spain and without their prime creative force, without the motor of the team, the constructor. Meantime Beckenbauer pointed out that his team,which in Germany was expected to come home in disgrace after the first round, qualified to the second.

13.06.86 (12.00) Nezahualcoyotl, Estadio Neza ’86

SCO – URU 0:0

(~20000) Quiniou FRA, Ben Naceur TUN, Diaz COL

SCO: Leighton – Gough, Albiston, Narey, Miller (c) – McStay, Aitken, Nicol (70 Cooper), Strachan – Sharp, Sturrock (70 Nicholas)

URU: Alvez – Diogo, Acevedo, Gutierrez, Batista – Pereya, Barrios (c), Santin, Francescoli (84 Alzamendi) – Ramos (71 Saralegui), Cabrera

booked: Narey, Nicol / Cabrera, Diogo, Acevedo

sent off: Batista (53 sec!)

NOTE: The Uruguayan coach banned from taking place on the bench for

one match

Crucial match for both teams – Uruguay needed a tie, for playing after everybody else finished, they were going to the second round with 2 points. Scotland needed a victory, nothing else could do. It was noy going to be an easy game and certainly not a pleasant one. True to expectations, murder was in the minds and Batista made a record: he was expelled in the 53th second of the match! Scotland got enormous advantage: a whole match to play against 10 men. The Uruguayans were more than unhappy and saw themselves as victims: looked like officials were trying to eliminate them artificially. But this was more after the game – during the match, in which both teams relentlessly kicked each other, and cards were shown left and right, Scotland was unable to establish some superiority and no goals were scored. Uruguay was primarily defending, but Scottish attacks were predictable, so it was not all that difficult. Of course, they used every trick known to football: slowing the game, wasting time, simulating, arguing with the referee, passing to the goalkeeper, again and again, but truly unimaginative Scotland was heavily tasked: the Scots had to find some way to beat solid defensive team, which was not familiar with sweeping balls in front of the net, but had tall and good in the air central defenders. And a special novelty was added to the bag of tricks: the whole match the Uruguayan reserve bench shouted at the referees, they were almost all the time at the line, swarming the linesman, showering him with obscenities. After the match Borras directly accused FIFA and was followed by the Uruguayan government and press – it was deliberate conspiracy against Uruguay, coming from the highest quarters and the referees were given the job to murder Uruguay. The scandal led to one match supsencion of Borras and issued threat by FIFA to the tune that Uruguay will be expelled from the finals if… well, somehow FIFA missed to say what. The Uruguayan Federation was fined 25 000 Swiss franks as well. All of that only convinced the whole of Uruguay that FIFA really scheme against them and victimize them. But they were still alive, despite all that efforts and going to the next round. Scotland was going home… again.

1. DAN^ 3 3 0 0 6 9-1

2. GER^ 3 1 1 1 3 3-4

3. URU^ 3 0 2 1 2 2-7

4. SCO 3 0 1 2 1 1-3

Cursed Scotland… 4 times in a row they were unable to reach the second stage of the finals. Always leaving good impressions and never succeeding. True, they were in the ‘group of death’, no luck there. True, Scotland was recently depleted of talent, having very little good coming up. More than ever they had to depend on spirit, but it was also their own fault – or rather the fault of British football, which so far failed to adapt to the changes of the game, to introduce modern approach. Thus, Scotland, even coached by bright Alex Ferguson, could not become anything more than tough opponent. They played predictable football, easy to read and defend against. It was easy to block their efforts, to win the midfield and control the match against them. Even entirely defensive team was able to cancel Scottish efforts – the Scots could not find a way of breaking solid, dull defense, leaving no empty spaces and more then able to sweep the ball away. Apart from spirit, Scotland left almost no memories this time – it was bland and ineffective team, unlike the squads from the 3 earlier World Cups. Spirit alone made them preferable than Uruguay and West Germany, but Scotland was unable to beat either team, earned only 1 point and that against 10 men. At least they were not disgrace, but… they were not Northern Ireland either to be still proud of holding their ground even when losing. Scotland needed to win – and it did not.

July 1, 2020

Group D

Group D.

01.06.86 (12.00) Guadalajara, Estadio Jalisco

BRA – ESP 1:0 (0:0)

(~65000) Bambridge AUS, Socha USA, Kelzer HOL

BRA: Carlos – Branco, Edinho (c), Julio Cesar, Edson – Junior (79 Falcão),

Socrates, Alemão, Elzo – Casagrande (66 Müller), Careca

ESP: Zubizarreta – Tomás, Maceda, Goicoechea, Camacho (c) – Victor, Michel,

Francisco (83 Señor), Julio Alberto – Butragueño, Julio Salinas

1:0 Socrates 63 h

booked: Branco / Julio Alberto

The favourites opened the group, which was both good and bad – on one hand, both teams had a chance to clear a bit their future goals after the end of the duel; on the other – such games tend to be cautious and boring. And tough. The first half was exactly that, including rough play from both teams. The second half was better and there was more football, and long lasting intrigue and bitterness. A Spanish goal was disallowed – well, a goal, according the Spaniards. It looked like the ball went in the brazilian net, but bounced out. It was difficult moment and if the referee was wrong, it was not deliberate. And it was not at all certain the ball actually crossed the line – it dropped somewhere there, on the line, before the line, behind the line, nobody could really tell. Spain, however, had no grief about Brazilian goal disallowed a little later: a hand ball. Difficult to spot, but the referee spot it. Still, Brazil scored and not a bad goal, but it was also more fuel for Spanish complaints: looked like Socrates was a bit offside. It was again difficult the judge occasion – was he, wasn’t he… millimeters. But that was the only goal of the match and it was hardly a great match. Both teams did not look terrific. Tele Santana was philosophically satisfied with the earned points, but also looked a bit troubled – he said he had to talk to his players to get livelier and play somewhat fearlessly. The Spanish coach was all blame: Spain was robbed! It was not just disallowed goal, but also a missed penalty in Spanish favour. There was also laughable complain that Brazil very well studied Spanish play and did not permit the team to display itself in attack. About Spanish roughness Munoz was understandably mute, but his cry that Spain did not deserve to lose only added fuel to simmering accusations of official helping Brazil. Socrates himself added fuel to that, but later.

03.06.86 (12.00) Guadalajara, Estadio Trez de Marzo

ALG – NIR 1:1 (0:1)

(~22000) Butenko ZSR, Petrović JUG, Daina SUI

ALG: Larbi – Medjadi, Kourichi, Guendouz (c), Mansouri – Kaci-Said, Ben

Mabrouk, Maroc, Madjer (33 Harkouk) – Zidane (71 Belloumi), Assad

NIR: Jennings – J.Nicholl, O’Neill, McDonald, Donaghy – Penney (89 Stewart),

McIlroy (c), McCreery, Worthington – Hamilton, Whiteside (62 Clarke)

0:1 Whiteside 6 f, 1:1 Zidane 59

booked: Mansouri / Whiteside, Worthington, McIlroy

One more tough, but uneventful match. It went more or less as expected – Northern Ireland traditionally had difficulties scoring goals and was better overcoming strong opponents than equals. Algeria was expected to be ‘matured’ by now, therefore, to play ‘smart’ football – tactical, physical, boring, not taking risks. And that was what happened on the pitch, both goals scored from free kicks and nothing else, except that both teams chopped opponents mercilessly.

06.06.86 (12.00) Guadalajara, Estadio Jalisco

BRA – ALG 1:0 (1:0)

(~48000) Méndez GUA, Quiniou FRA, Martinez URU

BRA: Carlos – Branco, Edinho (c), Julio Cesar, Edson (11 Falcãao) – Junior, Socrates,

Alemão, Elzo – Casagrande (60 Müller), Careca

ALG: Drid – Medjadi, Megharia, Guendouz (c), Mansouri – Kaci-Said, Ben Mabrouk,

Madjer, Menad – Belloumi (79 Zidane), Assad (68 Bensaoula)

1:0 Careca 67

The heat was fantastic this day – too much even for teams used to play in hot weather. That was the big reason for sluggish tempo and practically nothing happening on the pitch, but let face it: fans and specialists never care for the weather – players are expected to play, to do something, to dazzle. Brazil at least tried a few lame kicks towards the Algerian net, but nobody was fooled by that and Brazilian journalists were particularly furious. Algeria proved to be not so mature yet – a terrible double mistake of the two central defenders provided opporunity for Careca to score and only after that the players of both teams came to life. The Algerians had to equalize, so they started running to the great displeasure of their Brazilian opponents, who favoured walking. Thanks to Edinho, Algeria was unable to equalize. Brazil was already in the next stage with perfect record, but nobody liked the way the team played and Santana had to endure particularly vicious questioning after the match – he blew up, saying that journalists have no idea not only what is to play in such heat, but what African football is all about. It was not at all a punching bag and Algeria had fantastic goalkeeper on top of it. Gone were the days of easy wins, lectured Santana in vain. He had bigger problem, though: Edson was already injured and Alemao was tried on his position – right full-back – against Algeria. But it was temporary and not very well working improvisation… Santana had to think of some other solution, which bordered with the fantastic – there was only Josimar, who never played for the national team before and in any case looked like only making the numbers. Presently, Josimar was not even an option yet… presently, Santana had to find an option.

07.06.86 (12.00) Guadalajara, Estadio Trez de Marzo

ESP – NIR 2:1 (2:0)

(~28000) Brummeier AUT, Nemeth HUN, Agnolin ITA

ESP: Zubizarreta – Tomás, Gallego, Goicoechea, Camacho (c) – Victor, Michel,

Francisco, Gordillo (54 Caldere) – Butragueno, Julio Salinas (78 Señor)

NIR: Jennings – J.Nicholl, O’Neill, McDonald, Donaghy – Penney (54 Stewart),

McIlroy (c), McCreery, Worthington (71 Hamilton) – Whiteside, Clarke

1:0 Butragueño 2 (63 sec), 2:0 Julio Salinas 18, 2:1 Clarke 48 h

booked: Victor / Hamilton

From North Irish point of view, Spain was uncomfortable opponent. But the same could be said in reversed order: Northern Ireland played best against strong teams. Spain had to win, though… and already had two missing starters, Maceda and Julio Alberto. The Irish had intact team and was ready to battle. But they were terribly surprised – Butragueno scored quick goal and before the Irish recovered Salinas made it 2-0. To the end of the first half the Spanish side had only one thing on mind: to kill Irish attacks as early as possible. It worked… after all Northern Ireland did not have many strikers to feed. But the second half in the humid heat was more difficult for Spain, especially after Gallego and Zubizarreta made double mistake and Clarke scored out of nothing in the 48th minute. The second half was dominated by the Irish, but scoring was always their weak point and they missed great chances. At the end it was 2-1 Spain and both coaches were a bit out of touch – Munoz complained that he is getting close to using second team, because of injuries (Gallego was added to Maceda and Julio Alberto) and said little about not very inspired football his team played. Billy Bingham found 90 minutes too short… if there was some more time, his team was surely going to equalize, may be even win. There was no denying Northern Ireland looked better on the pitch, as usually attacking team looks better than defending one, but they missed good scoring opportunities and the result was 1-2. Five more minutes would have been enough, lamented Bingham… well, 90 minutes were not enough, but 5 surely would have been… losing coaches often talk nonsense, but Northern Ireland played a brave game, one can be sorry for them.

12.06.86 (12.00) Guadalajara, Estadio Jalisco

BRA – NIR 3:0 (2:0)

(~51000) Kirschen DDR, Courtney ENG, Traore MLI

BRA: Carlos – Branco, Edinho (c), Julio Cesar, Josimar – Junior, Socrates

(68 Zico), Alemão – Elzo, Müller (28 Casagrande), Careca

NIR: Jennings – J.Nicholl, O’Neill, McDonald, Donaghy – Stewart, McIlroy (c),

McCreery, Campbell (71 Armstrong) – Whiteside (68 Hamilton), Clarke

1:0 Careca 18, 2:0 Josimar 42, 3:0 Careca 88

booked: Donaghy

This game deserves longer note. Brazil had nothing to play for now, but the criticism was so big, the team was not exactly in position to take it easy – to many, they have been taking it easy too long already. The whole team was blamed, but there were newly discovered reasons to pile up more: Socrates spent his time in Mexico drinking and smoking, no wonder nothing good happened on the field since the great star did not care a bit. And Zico was practically on vacation… it was well known that not only he was not fully recovered, but that he will never fully recover. Why bringing the useless tourist? Especially when it was clear the team was not playing good and a single new injury created a huge problem – who was going to play on the right side of defence? See what happens when alienating Leandro? Meantime Billy Bingham was thinking clever way of beating Brazil – at least that was what British journalists thought, getting optimistic from Bingham’s words that Brazil has beatable defensive line. However, mathematically the suitable for both teams result was a draw. Very likely one more sluggish match with nothing memorable. All preliminary talks were discarded right after the match started. Both teams, despite the heat, were in fine mood, keen on winning. The ‘clever scheme’ of Bingham proved to be the same as ever – 10 men defending, one solitary striker, hoping for a long ball coming from the trenches. Santana placed Josimar on the right of his defence – a debutante! On paper, extreme risk, but Brazil suddenly was playing lovely attacking football and the unknown defender excelled. Brazil was creative, showed exceptional skills and Northern Ireland was defending all the time, which suited them best. Of course, the Irish played hard, but there was welcome lack of vicious tackles – the spirit of both teams was not mean, they came out to play. The technically poor Irish tried their best, trying to counter-attack whenever possible, but the match was generally one-sided and Carlos had almost nothing to do. At last Brazil came back to life, the magic was back. Jennings, on the other had, had plenty to do and was the usual pillar – he made some tremendous saves, but could not stop all. At the end of the first half it was 2-0 Brazil and the second goal was scored by Josimar – and what a goal it was! A great curved long kick, which was unstoppable – it took courage first of all, for a defender and debutante to try something like that and the result was a beauty. In the second half Brazil was still wonderful, but the Irish contributed too – they had to come back somehow, so they moved ahead and attacked as often as Brazilians would permit them. But spirit alone cannot compensate for skills against superior team in playing mood itself. To the credit of Brazil, they did not decided to kill the game in the second half, but continued to attack as well. And there was a crowd-pleasing moment: in the 68th minute, when it was more or less clear, that Brazil was going to win, Santana replaced Socrates with Zico. It may have been even a tribute, may be the last chance for Zico to play a few minutes at this championship, but the fans cheered him greatly and, more importantly, Zico was determined to play and fitted in perfectly. In terms of tributes, this may have been the original plan, for Junior, in perfect position to score, chose to pass to Zico, to give him the chance to end his national team career with a goal. Jennings, however, saved – by passing instead of shooting, Junior gave him a second to try to cover, and greatness for greatness, Jennings managed. But Brazil was too strong and flying, so Careca scored a third goal just before the game end. Nobody was sorry after – it was wonderful match to watch, Brazil came back and sparkled, new star was born – Josimar played great football, Zico was seemingly ready for more than sitting on the bench, Northern Ireland played with great spirit and there was no blame in losing and even in ending its campaign now. There was nothing nasty on the pitch, a nice change for already becoming very ugly championship. The only bitter thing was that this ending came on the 41st birthday of Pat Jennings. It would have been great to get a point and have a chance for the next round, it would have been fantastic if the match ended 0-0, as a birthday present to the man who just played his 119th match with the national team jersey in 22 years of soldiering… but it did not happened. The consolation was less festive, but still – Jennings played a wonderful game, he saved a lot, showed great class. If not for him, the result could easily have been 6 or 7 nil (or may be 7-1 – but Carlos saved two extremely difficult situations). Well, that was that… Brazil was going ahead with perfect record of 3 wins and 0 goals received; Northern Ireland was going home, but proudly.

12.06.86 (12.00) Monterrey, Estadio Tecnologico

ESP – ALG 3:0 (1:0)

(~20000) Takada JAP, Esposito ARG, Picon-Ackong MRS

ESP: Zubizarreta – Tomás, Gallego, Goicoechea, Camacho, Victor – Michel

(84 Señor), Francisco, Caldere – Butragueno (46 Eloy), Julio Salinas

ALG: Drid (20 El Hadi) – Kourichi, Megharia, Guendouz (c), Mansouri – Kaci-Said,

Zidane (59 Menad), Madjer, Harkouk – Maroc, Belloumi

1:0 Calderé 17, 2:0 Calderé 68, 3:0 Eloy 71

booked: Goicoechea / Madjer

NOTE: Calderé failed anti-dope testing. However the Spanish officials

explained that the drug taken was actually a necessary medicine for asthma.

Therefore no personal sanctions were applied against the player, but the

Spanish federation was obliged to pay a 25000 SFR worth of fine.

Well… both teams needed victory, the Algerians more so, for that was their only chance to go ahead. Ambition is one thing, realization quite another – the match quickly deteriorated into brutality, initiated by Algeria, but joined by the Spaniards, for it was their traditional instinct. After the game the Japanese was heavily and rightly criticized: he lost control of the game and even did not bother to shower the players of both teams with yellow cards. With some red cards for good measure. But it was not easy to keep order in such explosive match – Algeria unhappy with game not going their way just unleashed violence and the Spaniards not only never shied away from murdering opponents, but it was almost a second nature to them and they did not need much push in this direction. But Spain scored goals, unlike Algeria – curiously, second stringers, on the pitch only because the regulars could not play, scored all three goals. Perhaps Munoz did not have much reason to wail that he is reduced to using his reserves after all. Spain secured place among the 1/8-finalists and everything was kind of fine. Kind of fine, for Munoz spoke little about the anti-football his team was too happy to play, reserving his observations for criticism of the brutal players – mostly Algerian beasts, of course – and the incompetent referee. The Algerian coach had little of worth to say, as is the typical case of losing coaches: he chose to put the blame on the injury of his regular goalkeeper. The back-up, what can you do, was not up to the task… conveniently forgetting that the goalkeeper was not guilty of any goal and it was not him serving victory to Brazil in the previous match. Strange as it was, but Spain was not really punished for using dope-positive player. Which of course begs the question of favoritism, back-room deals, the tendency to help teams with clout at the expense of those from the Third World.

1. BRA^ 3 3 0 0 6 5-0

2. ESP^ 3 2 0 1 4 5-2

3. NIR 3 0 1 2 1 2-6

4. ALG 3 0 1 2 1 1-5

Algeria was going home leaving few memories, mostly unpleasant ones. If they were wronged in 1982, this time they could only blame themselves. If anything, few questions were raised: if at least some representatives of African football developed really close to the leading European football, the Algerian example was of bitter kind: tough to beat, but brutal team. ‘Maturity’ seemed to be ability to hack, kick, and chop. Maturity seemed to be killing the game, lack of artistry, lack of imagination – just dull force, caring little for creativity. So… may be African football was not mature yet: Algeria deteriorated between 1982 and 1986. It took the worst elements of modern football and applied only them, discarding entirely constructive play. One would much prefer unsofisticated naive play with some joy, even ridden by mistakes. As it was, most people were relieved to see Algeria eliminated. The magic of 1982 was not repeated this time.

June 28, 2020

Group C

Group C.

01.06.86 (16.00) Leon, Estadio Sergio Leon

FRA – CAN 1:0 (0:0)

(-36000) Silva CHI, Ulloa COS, Méndez GUA

FRA: Bats – Amoros, Battiston, Bossis, Tusseau – Fernandez, Tigana, Platini (c), Giresse – Papin, Rocheteau (69 Stopyra)

CAN: Dolan – Lenarduzzi, Samuel, Bridge, Wilson (c) – Ragan, James (82 Segota), Norman, Sweeney (54 Lowery) – Valentine, Vrablic

1:0 Papin 79 h

No reason even to watch the match, it was that clear – the European champions against team made of unknown players, who did not play for any clubs. The only question was how many goals the French will score – perhaps 10? It was very different on the pitch – the French perhaps thought to take a leisurely walk, the Canadians decided to try to play. And succeeded – at the end of the first half it looked like major sensation was brewing: Canada was the better team and had a good chance to win the game. Nothing much changed in the second half, but experience won the game – Canadian misjudgment helped France to score a goal. There were 10 minutes left and in them the jaded European champions managed to preserve the fragile lead. Henry Michel said that 2 points is 2 points, but the quality of football his team played was low. The Canadian coach was modest – Canadian football had some abilities to fight back against the strongest in the world.

02.06.86 (12.00) Irapuato, Estadio Revolución

ZSR – HUN 6:0 (3:0)

(-17000) Agnolin ITA, Courtney ENG,

ZSR: Dassajev – Larionov, Bessonov, Kuznetsov, Demianenko (c) – Yaremchuk,

Aleinikov, Yakovenko (72 Yevtushenko), Rats – Belanov (70 Rodionov), Zavarov

HUN: P.Disztl – Sallai, Garaba, Péter (63 Dajka), Kardos – Bognar, Nagy (c),

Détári, Roth (13 Burcsa) – Kiprich, Esterházy

1:0 Yakovienko 2, 2:0 Aleinikov 4, 3:0 Belanov 25 p, 4:0 Yaremchuk 65, 5:0

Yaremuchuk 73, 6:0 Rodionov 80 (77 Yevtushenko missed penalty)

booked: Larionov

This match was expected to go for USSR, but with some caution – the Soviets changed their coach not long before the finals and their was some skepticism about the replacement. There were missing players (Chivadze and Baltacha, both injured, and Cherenkov, left out), Lobanovsky was both ruthlessly pragmatic and leaning heavily towards his own club players. And many of them had no experience with such high level championship. The Soviets often looked formidable, but in reality were not much and their qualification campaign was far from great. Hungary may not have been great either, but not long ago they dismantled Brazil. Whatever the speculations, the game destroyed them all – from the first minute USSR went into dazzling attacks and scored 2 goals before the 5th minute. And never looked back, just adding goal after goal. Hungary was plain nothing, but a big part of excitement came from the fact that this was the first interesting to watch match – fans and observers were already grumbling and getting tired from dull and ugly football. The Soviet superiority was great and more importantly the team looked perfectly balanced and eager to play. Six goals were joyfully scored, a lot of other opportunities were missed, even a penalty was missed, and suddenly USSR grew to a new status: now it was not just the team to watch, but a candidate for the title. Perhaps too much praise… it was almost forgotten that USSR destroyed toothless squad. The Canadian coach Tony Waiters said after the game that Canada could beat Hungary – so bad they were. There was no denying USSR was bright and strong, but they played only one match so far. There was something overlooked in the big excitement: the Soviets had improvised defence which was not tested yet.

05.06.86 (12.00) Leon, Estadio Sergio Leon

FRA – ZSR 1:1 (0:0)

(+36000) Arppi FIlho BRA, Takada JAP, Sánchez ESP

FRA: Bats – Amoros, Battiston, Bossis, Ayache – Fernandez, Tigana,

Platini (c), Giresse (83 Vercruysse) – Papin (77 Bellone), Stopyra

ZSR: Dassajev – Larionov, Bessonov, Kuznetsov, Demianenko (c) – Yaremchuk,

Aleinikov, Yakovenko (70 Rodionov), Rats – Belanov, Zavarov (80 Blokhin)

0:1 Rats 54, 1:1 Fernandez 62

booked: Fernandez, Amoros / Rats, Belanov

This was the principle duel in the group and France was not Hungary. Very quickly the French managed to move the game into the midfield and although there were sparkling moments and both opponents tried to create something dangerous, the goalkeepers had almost nothing to do. In the second half the Soviets managed to score, but France equalized rather quickly. The problem in the center of the Soviet defence was noticed… and used by Giresse. It was also a matter of maturity – the Soviets missed opportunities, which were not to be missed. The French were sturdy and as a whole the match was equal. Which satisfied both coaches and if one wants to look for wrongness, perhaps Lobanovsky made crucial mistake here: he was satisfied by the performance of his team, but France was beatable – a missed opportunity perhaps very important for building true fighting spirit.

06.06.86 (12.00) Irapuato, Estadio Revolución

HUN – CAN 2:0 (1:0)

(-14000) Al-Sharif SYR, Bambridge AUS, Petrović JUG

HUN: Szendrei – Sallai, Garaba, Varga, Kardos – Bognár, Nagy (c – 63 Dajka),

Détári, Burcsa (29 Róth) – Kiprich, Esterházy

CAN: Lettieri – Lenarduzzi, Samuel, Bridge, Wilson (c – 41 Sweeney) – Ragan,

James (56 Segota), Norman, Valentine – Gray, Vrablic

1:0 Esterházy 2, 2:0 Détári 76

booked: Sweeney, Lenarduzzi

sent off: Sweeney (86)

Canadian hopes were not fulfilled – Hungary was pretty bad, but Canadian lack of experience was decisive. It was most evident after Hungary got s lead and Canada went into attacks, trying to equalize, but forgetting to take care of defence. Both Hungarian goals were scored after Canadian mistakes. And those mistakes suddenly brought Hungary back in the game, making the last two group games important – theoretically, Hungary had a chance even of winning the group.

09.06.86 (12.00) Leon, Estadio Sergio Leon

FRA – HUN 3:0 (1:0)

(+31000) Valente POR, Daina SUI, Ponnet BEL

FRA: Bats – Amoros, Battiston, Bossis, Ayache – Fernandez, Tigana,

Platini (c), Giresse – Papin (62 Rocheteau), Stopyra (71 Ferreri)

HUN: P.Disztl – Sallai, Garaba (c), Varga, Kardos – Róth, Détári, Hannich

(46 Nagy), Dajka – Kovacs (66 Bognár), Esterházy

1:0 Stopyra 30 h, 2:0 Tigana 64, 3:0 Rocheteau 85

booked: Ayache, Rocheteau

Say what you like, but Hungary had no chance – yes, France did not look good, and yes, Hungary was better on the pitch for almost one hour, but it was chaotic play. Desire was not enough – France chose sound defensive approach, but with an eye on counterattacks, which were more dangerous than the Hungarian efforts. The French used their opportunities well and won 3-0.

09.06.86 (12.00) Irapuato, Estadio Revolución

ZSR – CAN 2:0 (0:0)

(+14000) Traoré MLI, González PAR, Al-Shanar ARS

ZSR: Chanov – Morozov, Bubnov, Kuznetsov, Bal – Aleinikov, Litovchenko,

Rodionov, Yevtushenko – Protasov (57 Belanov), Blokhin (c – 61 Zavarov)

CAN: Lettieri – Lenarduzzi, Samuel, Bridge, Wilson (c) – Ragan, James

(65 Segota), Norman, Valentine – Gray (69 Pakos), Mitchell

1:0 Blokhin 59, 2:0 Zavarov 75

Later, after the end the World Cup, this match was singled out by Soviet specialists as the key reason for the team’s failure in the long run. Lobanosky, certain that his team already qualified to the next stage, chose to field reserves. Later this was seen negatively: the team’s rhythm was broken. The reserve players had difficulties against Canada, that’s true, but as a whole motivation was low – Canada was too weak and the Soviets were already going to the next stage, so even the regulars most likely were not going to play in full force. If Canada permitted them to play in full force, for Canada once again was determined to give its best. Thus, they played pretty much equal to the Soviets and the match was not going well for Lobanovsky. Especially when the Canadians had scoring opportunities. USSR won, but not before Lobanovsky put on the pitch two regulars in the second half – Zavarov and Belanov. Was the coach wrong to field reserve team? Well, he complaiend after the match with France that his players were tired – Mexican summer was not easy for most teams, Dynamo Kiev players had long and busy season… but still why the Soviets were tired after playing one match? For Lobanovsky was speaking of tired team after the match with Hungary. In any case, giving a break to the regulars made sense: USSR did not need points, the opponent was not real trouble, but waiving tiredness aside, a match is always risky – one may get injured, especially against a team with British attitudes. Keep the best fresh and healthy for the next important game, it was sound idea. It was not a wrong decision. The wrong decision was perhaps made earlier: when Lobanovsky excused his team for not prvailing over France with the argument that the boys were tired. No big deal, then… we tied France tired. France! Tired! It was better to think why France had good scoring opportunities when looking quite out of form. The moment for building character was most likely lost in that match, not against Canada.

1. ZSR^ 3 2 1 0 5 9-1

2. FRA^ 3 2 1 0 5 5-1

3. HUN 3 1 0 2 2 2-9

4. CAN 3 0 0 3 0 0-5

Canada, as expected, was out, but left good impression. It was a team going home without shame – true, their aim was minimal and not accomplished (scoring a goal at the finals), but the boys did well. They played almost as equals to any opponent. Lack of experience was well known, so no drama in losing bravely. Lovely underdogs they were, especially when compared to mighty teams playing dull and out of shape football. The real trouble of Canada was not their performance at the World Cup, but the future – there was little hope for developing new players in a country where football was still an exotic sport. There was little hope even to keep this squad, for the players had to play regularly and many had no clubs. Playing indoor soccer was not the same. A national team program was limited in time. Some players were already getting old. Canada was nice at the finals, but also looked like one-time affair. Well, enjoy the moment.

June 27, 2020

Group B

Group B.

03.06.86 (12.00) Mexico City, Estadio Azteca

MEX – BEL 2:1 (2:1)

(~110000) Esposito ARG, Valente POR, Méndez GUA

MEX: Larios – Trejo, Felix Cruz, Quirarte, Servin – Aguirre, Negrete, Muñoz, Boy (c – 69 Espana) – Flores (79 J.Cruz), Sánchez

BEL: Pfaff – Gerets, Broos, F.van der Elst, de Wolf – Vercauteren,Van der Eycken, Scifo, Ceulemans (c) – van den Bergh (66 Demol), Desmet (60 Claesen)

1:0 Quirarte 23 h, 2:0 Sánchez 39 h, 2:1 van den Bergh 45 h

booked: Sánchez, Muñoz / F.van der Elst

Home team at last came to the pitch, heavily supported by excited crowd. This is the principle game of the group and also the first group match. May be the Mexicans crumbled under pressure, as often happens to host teams, may be caution was the order of the day, but it was equal match, generally fought in midfield. Experienced and well balanced Belgium pretty much canceled the Mexican creative efforts, but was also unable to do more. The goals did not arrive from some great attacks, but from set-pieces and mistakes. At the end of the first half Mexico was leading 2-0 after free kick and corner kick, both times set by Boy. Meantime Larios hardly had anything to do, but the match was far from over. And right after the start of the second half Belgium scored one goal back – Gerets set the ball deep in the Mexican half after an out, Larios made big mistake and van den Bergh scored. And there was still the whole second half to be played… but nothing more happened in it, it was pretty much like the first half, both teams careful not to give chances to the opponent and never shy from kicking each other. Mexico won 2-1, which was a relief, but Mexican fans and journalists were not happy. Milutinovic emphasized the victory in realistic way – never mind it was not pretty, the team showed character and got 2 points; Thys shrugged it off – he was unhappy with the result, of course, especially after his team, in his view, dominated the last 30 minutes, but it was not the end of the world, it was the first match, there was still a lot ahead, etc, etc.

04.06.86 (12.00) Toluca, Estadio Bombonera

PAR – IRK 1:0 (1:0)

(~24000) Picon-Ackong MRS, Socha USA, Ulloa COS

PAR: Fernandez – Torales, Zabala, Schettina, Delgado (c) – Nunez, Ferreira, Romero, Cabañas – Canete, Mendoza (88 Guasch)

IRK: Salman (c) – Allawe, Mahmoud, Salim, Al-Roubai – Abidoun, Amaiesh, Hanna, Mohammed (82 Bassim) – Hassan (68 Aufi), Shihab

1:0 Romero 36

booked: Schettina / Mahmoud

Paraguay – Iraq attracted small audience and it was not surprising: Paraguay was not much, Iraq was nothing, easy victory for the South Americans, but nothing to watch. The lack of expectations served the Iraqis better – they played somewhat better than Paraguay and had a goal disallowed. It was curious decision, very likely a result of referee’s ignorance of the rules – in the last seconds of the first half Iraq had a corner kick, which went directly in the Paraguayan net, deliberate or lucky direct score from the corner, the ball untouched by any player. Uncertain what to do, the referee claimed that he blew the whistle for the end of the half when the ball was still in the air. That was the crucial moment – Romero scored for Paraguay 10 minutes earlier and an equalizer would have been great boost for Iraq, already certain that the devil is not so black. Iraq was better in the second half, but Paraguay had experience on its side and generally was busy killing Iraqi attacks at early stage.

07.06.86 (12.00) Mexico City, Estadio Azteca

MEX – PAR 1:1 (1:1)

(+114000) Courtney ENG, Igna ROM, Fredriksson SWE

MEX: Larios – Trejo, F.Cruz, Quirarte, Servin – Aguirre, Negrete, Mu&nitlde;oz, Boy (c – 89 Espana) – Flores (76 J.Cruz), Sánchez

PAR: Fernandez – Torales (81 Hicks), Zabala, Schettina, Delgado (c) – Nunez, Ferreira, Romero, Cabañas – Canete, Mendoza (63 Guasch)

1:0 Flóres 3, 1:1 Romero 86 h (88 Fernandez saved a penalty by Sánchez)

booked: Trejo, Negrete, Sánchez / Schettina, Mendoza

Mexico – Paraguay was an ugly clash. Points were at stake – whoever won would have its worries over before the third round. So, nobody won… instead the opponents kicked and slashed each other from start to finish. Mexico had wonderful start, scoring in the 3rd minute and very likely this goal triggered the following ugliness: Mexico eager to preserve its fragile lead, Paraguay enraged by the goal. The Englsih referee, used to tough, but fair British football, lost control of the game. Perhaps he was thinkimg that the players will calm down and concentrate on football, if he does not interfere much, but hose were Latin-American players: seeing murder goes unpunished, they only became more vicious. It was counted the game was stopped about 80 times for various infractions. At the end 5 players were booked, but none expelled. Paraguay, much more experienced in ugliness than Mexico, got what it wanted: the Mexicans lost themselves in brutality, but for the Paraguayans it was business as usual, so they kept cold heads and never forgot that they had to score equalizer at least. Eventually, they managed to score it in the 86th minute. But nothing was over yet – two minutes later Mexico got a penalty kick. Now it was over… Hugo Sanchez stepped in and Fernandez saved. The game ended 1-1. Later the Paraguayan keeper candidly revealed his secret: he watched TV and on TV there was constant commercials showing Sanchez scoring a penalty. Intrigued, Fernandez ask for videotapes of Sanchez’ penalties and learned that the striker always shoots the same, and was prepared. In his view, it was a big mistake using Sanchez as a prime penalty kicker: commerce made him an easy prey for any alert keeper. Bora Milutinovic took the blame on himself, which was mostly diplomacy, for Mexico still stayed strong and had an easy match ahead.

08.06.86 (12.00) Toluca, Estadio Bombonera

BEL – IRK 2:1 (2:0)

(~20000) Diaz COL, Sánchez ESP, Christov CZE

BEL: Pfaff – Gerets, Demol (69 Grun), F.van Der Elst, de Wolf – Vercauteren, Vandereycken, Scifo (67 Clijsters) – Ceulemans (c), Desmet, Claesen

IRK: Salman (c) – Allawe, Mahmoud, Salim, Al-Roubai – Abidoun, Amaiesh, Minshid (82 Aufi), Hanna – Hassan, Shihab

1:0 Scifo 16, 2:0 Claesen 22 p, 2:1 Ammaiesh 67

booked: Salman, Salim, AL-Roubai, Abidoun, Haman, Mahmoud (after match)

sent off: Hanna (51)

Ugliness spread around like a viral infection – as if not to be left behind, Iraq and Belgium staged their own slaughterhouse. Belgium got early lead and at last looked like that the anonymous outsiders will get their thrashing, but it was not to be. Economical Belgium very likely was prepared just to keep the comfortable advantage to the end of the game, but Iraq decided to fight back. And in very curious manner at that: instead of attacking and trying to score, they furiously started kicking the Belgians. There was a shower of yellow cards and even red one, although it was shown not to the actual culprit. And curiously again, after Iraq was left with 10 men, they suddenly remembered that the ball, not Belgian legs, is for kicking around and started playing football. And were rewarded for that with a goal, not a bad one too. But they still lost 1-2. Thys shrugged it off again: yes, his team did not play at its full force. There was no need for that, the boys had to keep their strength for the next games. Fans, though, never appreciate coach’s wisdom – they want excitement, not economy. They want a show – and there was none. There was plenty of hacking and very little football.

11.06.86 Toluca, Estadio Bombonera

BEL – PAR 2:2 (1:0)

(~16000) Dochev BUL, Silva CHI, Ben Naceur TUN

BEL: Pfaff – Broos, Demol, Grun (89 L.van der Elst), Renquin – Vercauteren, Vervoort, Scifo, Ceulemans (c) – Veyt, Claesen

PAR: Fernandez – Torales, Zabala, Delgado (c), Nunez – Ferreira, Romero, Cabañas, Canete – Mendoza (68 Hicks), Guasch

1:0 Vercauteren 32, 1:1 Cabañas 50, 2:1 Veyt 60, 2:2 Cabañas 76

booked: Ceulemans / Romero (82 the Paraguaian coach expulsed from the bench)

A note on the general rules of this finals is needed to explain this match. Because of the shameful ‘fixing’ of West German and Austria in 1982, it was decided that the last games in every group will be played at the same time in 1986. But another thing was not taken into account… 4 of the 6 3rd-placed teams were going ahead, depending on points. And groups had different dates, so calculations were still important – some things were already known, so scheme the best for yourself. Presently, both Paraguay and Belgium were practically sure of their going to the next round and the match itself was rather meaningless, so expected to be boring affair, aimed at a tie. Paraguay had 3 points, Belgium – 2, but two groups were already finished and Bulgaria and Hungary had worse records than either Paraguay and Belgium. Take it easy, save strength for later, walk around 90 minutes for 0-0… except the 3rd-placed here was going to meet USSR in the next stage, which so far was the most feared team… there was some intrigue after all, but not all that great. In the first half Belgium managed to score, which seemingly enraged the Paraguayans. However, the rage was expressed only after the break, in the second half – Paraguay suddenly increased the tempo and went into attack. They equalized, but continued to attack and were caught by counterattack. Belgium was leading again… and Paraguay continued its drive ahead, but the mood was different: kicking started. To the end of the match it was battling and hacking, with curious involvement of the Paraguayan coach – he went to the pitch to tell the referee what to do and how to do it. The coach was send off. Paraguay eventually equalized, but the bitterness remained to the final whistle – and nobody could tell why the game became suddenly ugly and why so many arguments: at the end, it was exactly the ending both teams were seeking.

11.06.86 (12.00) Mexico City, Estadio Azteca

MEX – IRk 1:0 (0:0)

(+103000) Petrović JUG, Agnolin ITA, Nemeth HUN

MEX: Larios – Amador (63 Dominguez), F.Cruz, Quirarte, Servin – Aguirre, Negrete, Boy, Espana – Flóres, de los Cobos (79 J.Cruz)

IRK: Jassim – Allawe (c), Majeed, Salim, Al-Roubai – Abidoun (61 Aufi), Amaiesh, Tweresh (69 Hamza), Basim – Minahid, Shihab

1:0 Quirarte 54

booked: Allawe, Minahid

This match was a matter of prestige: Mexico had to win only to satisfy their fans, Iraq – to end its firs World Cup with dignified performance, for only a miracle could make them winners here. Even the absence of suspended Hugo Sanchez was not closing the gap between the opponents: Mexico was superior by far and sure winner. One expects some free and nice football from games like this one, but… it was entirely mediocre match, leaving no memories at all. Mexico was looking heavy and uninspired. Worse, against clearly inferior Iraq, the Mexicans chose individual actions, leading nowhere. Iraq was not motivated either. Eventually, Mexico managed to score a goal and that was the end of everything – to the great displeasure of their own fans, the Mexican players just started killing time with long simulations after every minimal contact with Iraqi player. The torture lasted about 35 minutes until the referee counted the last second and ended it. Milutinovic was not happy either, only tried to stay ‘positive’ – after the match, he said that his team won the group and has 4 days before the next match to think something better, especially in the attacking aspects.

1. MEX^ 3 2 1 0 5 4-2

2. PAR^ 3 1 2 0 4 4-3

3. BEL^ 3 1 1 1 3 5-5

4. IRK 3 0 0 3 0 1-4

Iraq arrived as an anonymous squad and left Mexico anonymous again. No player made impression, the team left no memory of itself. What was recognized was minimal: they were not exactly a punching bag, but how good was suspect: the group was weak, Iraq did not face formidable opponents. Against somewhat uninspired teams, Iraq proved only one thing – when it came to nasty attitudes, to hacking and kicking around, they were pretty equal to the masters. No points came out of that, though.

June 24, 2020June 24, 2020

Group A

31.05.86 (12.00) Mexico City, Estadio Azteca

(-100000) Fredriksson SWE, Codesal MEX, Roth GER

ITA: Galli – Bergomi, Vierchowod, Scirea (c), Cabrini – de Napoli, Bagni, di Gennaro, Conti (66 Vialli) – Galderisi, Altobelli

BUL: Mikhailov – Zdravkov, Dimitrov (c), Arabov, A.Markov – Sadkov, Sirakov, Getov, Gospodinov (74 Zheliazkov) – Iskrenov (66 Kostadinov),

Mladenov

1:0 Altobelli 44, 1:1 Sirakov 85 h

booked: Bergomi, Cabrini / A.Markov

The opening match, traditionally playing the reigning world champion and right after the grand opening ceremony. And, traditionally by now, an anticlimax to the ever more elaborated and dazzling openings. A bit alarming – Italy was rather worrisome and Bulgaria displayed problems, which could only build up. Some dismissed the poor performance on the pressure, on nerves. Many saw the Italian display as a sign that Italy was going to play big role in the finals: they started poorly in Spain, only to win the championship, as opposed to great start and then going down in Argentina. Italy, however, started poorly and finished poorly in 1974… As for Bulgaria, nothing to say either way: they got a point from the world champions, which was an achievement in itself. May be some of the problems – cautious approach with prevailing defensive concept and lack of creative ideas – would be solved somewhat.

02.06.86 (12.00) Mexico City, Estadio Olimpico ’68

ARG – KOR 3:1 (2:0)

(~60000) Sánchez ESP, González PAR, Diaz COL

ARG: Pumpido – Clausen, Brown, Ruggeri, Garre – Giusti, Batista (75 Olarticoechea), Burruchaga, Pasculli (74 Tápia) – Maradona (c), Valdano

KOR: Oh Yung-kyo – Park Kyung-hoon, Chung Yong-hwan, Cho Min-kook, Kim Yong-se

(46 Byun Byung-ok) – Huh Jung-moo, Kim Pyung-suk (23 Cho Kwang-rae), Park Chang-sun (c), Kim Joo-sung – Choi Soon-hoo, Cha Bum-keun

1:0 Valdano 8, 2:0 Ruggeri 19 h, 3:0 Valdano 47, 3:1 Park Chang-sun 72

booked: Huh Jung-moo, Park Chang-sun

Argentina was expected to win and it did, but it was not convincing performance. South Korea proved to be tough cookie, somewhat of the German mold: physically fit, running constantly, battling for the ball, hacking left and right. Having the ball, the Koreans did not know what to do with it, but they made plenty of difficulties for the opposing team. The opening match was rough, but perhaps this one set the tone for the championship: nobody realized it yet, but brutal and ugly was going to be this championship. For the moment, though, it was kind of routine: Argentina got its points, the South Koreans scored a goal, which was seemingly their highest aim, quickly satisfied. 05.06.86 (12.00)

Puebla, Estadio Cuauhtemoc

ARG – ITA 1:1 (1:1)

(~32000) Keizer HOL, Snoddy NIR, Márquez MEX

ARG: Pumpido – Cuciuffo, Brown, Ruggeri, Garré – Giusti, Batista (50 Olarticoechea), Burruchaga, Borghi (75 Enrique) – Maradona (c), Valdano

ITA: Galli – Bergomi, Vierchowod, Scirea (c), Cabrini – de Napoli (65G.Baresi), Bagni, di Gennaro, Conti (87 Vialli) – Galderisi, Altobelli

0:1 Altobelli 7 p, 1:1 Maradona 34

booked: Giusti, Garré / Bergomi

The key match in the group, naturally expected with hopes, but in the same time the drop of attendees was big – true, Puebla was smaller venue, but after 60 000 attended Argentina – South Korea, 30 000 going to see Italy – Argentina was somewhat like a judgment of so-so games played so far. Fans were right… the match was rather poor, but peppered with nasty tackles and the referee’s whistle constantly stopped the game. Italy got a very suspect penalty early in the game, which Altobelli scored, but Maradona equalized soon enough – it was beautiful goal, but also pretty much the only moment having anything to do with football. In the second half there was no football at all, just hacking and butchering, but that were the 80s… instead of 4-5 red cards, three players reluctantly got yellow cards. After the game both Bearzot and Bilardo were pragmatic: each team got a point, it was nervous day with so much at stake, so there was no show.

05.06.86 (16.00) Mexico City, Estadio Olimpico ’68

BUL – KOR 1:1 (1:0)(~45000) Al-Shanar ARS, Butenko ZSR, Igna ROM

BUL: Mikhailov – Zdravkov, Dimitrov (c), Arabov, Petrov – Sadkov, Sirakov, Getov (87 Zheliazkov), Gospodinov – Iskrenov (46 Kostadinov), Mladenov

KOR: Oh Yung-kyo, Park Kyung-hoon, Chung Yong-hwan, Cho Young-jeung, Huh Jung-moo – Cho Kwang-rae (71 Cho Min-kook), Park Chang-sun (c), Noh Soo-jin (46 Kim Jong-boo), Byun Byung-joo – Kim Joo-sung, Cha Bum-keun

1:0 Getov 12, 1:1 Kim Jong-boo 70

booked: Gospodinov / Cho Young-jeung, Kim Joo-sung

Bulgaria slightly changed its starters, a clear sign that the original concept, whatever it was, did not work. The changes were, as it turned out, cosmetic – there was no concept, so the only solution seemed to be just rotate players with the hope that some combination miraculously might work. But fear was stronger… and changes were not radical enough and some dead weight was stubbornly preserved. This was the match Bulgaria was going to win ‘for sure’… but weather played a cruel joke: heavy rain was pouring down, the pitch became a muddy pond. At first, Bulgaria was better – her players were superior , if playing without any idea. Getov scored early goal and the work was over… But with time and worsening conditions, the South Koreans proved that they were not some yokels: they red the playing conditions better than the Bulgarians – skill was not a decisive factor in the water. The Koreans continued to battle and when getting the ball shoot it from far away towards the Bulgarian net. Simple concept, but methodically following it, the Koreans equalized. And the clueless Bulgarian team could do nothing… 1-1. After the game Ivan Voutzov pontificated ‘Once again I was convinced that there are no weak teams at World Cup finals’. Such old wisdom should have been used before the game… or at least for the next game. Otherwise is just a joke. South Korea got its first point at World Cup finals, that is, they already achieved more than they aimed for.

10.06.86 (12.00) Mexico City, Estadio Olimpico ’68

ARG – BUL 2:0 (1:0)

(~65000) Ulloa COS, Martinez URU, Arppi Filho BRA

ARG: Pumpido – Cuciuffo, Brown, Ruggeri, Garré – Giusti, Batista (46 Olarticoechea), Burruchaga, Borghi (46 Enrique) – Maradona, Valdano

BUL: Mikhailov – A.Markov, Dimitrov (c), Petrov, Sadkov – Sirakov (72 Zdravkov), Getov, Zheliazkov, Yordanov – P.Markov, Mladenov (53 Velitchkov)

1:0 Valdano 4 h, 2:0 Burruchaga 77 h

booked: Cuciuffo

One may expect some change of strategy or at least some motivational pep-talk after the South Korean fiasco, but Voutzov made only new changes in its starting eleven. Changes looking panicky and desperate by now. It was also clear now, that Voutzov’s selection was hardly well thought, but the whole idea was to make the numbers: a number of suspect players clearly were not going to be used, but when taken out, there was little left to rotate and change – so, some players were moved from one position to another, even to positions they never played before. Weirdly, against Argentina Voutzov chose skillful, but not physically strong players in the offensive lines. There were no real wingers but no tough center-forward either. How such midfield and attack could intimidate tough and nasty Argentinian defence was a mystery. Given the clear defensive approach of Bilardo, it was clear that the most dangerous thing would be counterattacks – Voutzov’s idea to prevent fast deadly counterattacks was to move old, slow, and out of breath Zhelyazkov to the defensive line… Bilardo changed nothing. The match was chaotic and aimless battle, which served Argentina well – a tie was quite fine. But the Argentines were more alert than the Bulgarians and did not miss opportunities. The left full-back Aleksandr Markov made stupid mistake, lost the ball, and out of nothing Argentina scored a goal. Bulgaria had no answer to that – whatever passed for ‘attacks’ was killed far away from the penalty area, Pumpido had nothing to do. Mikhaylov had nothing to do too, but Argentina was leading. And even managed to score a second goal, thanks to Zhelyazkov, who was not only slow to react, but decided to give up chasing Maradona. After the finals Mikhaylov singled out this goal, scored by Burruchaga, as his only mistake at the finals. But the goalkeeper was too tough on himself: he was uncertain and misjudged the situation, but it was defensive mistake at the first place and the goalie was put in very difficult situation. Mistake or not, Argentina was winning anyway. Not playing much either, only lucky to benefit from Bulgarian sloppiness. Voutzov was entirely out of touch with reality after the game: he blamed the make of the group for the failure – it was too tough, unfairly tough group. Bilardo was satisfied, but unlike Voutzov, he made his conclusions and looked for remedies. Borghi and Garre were replaced. It was sound change: Borghi hardly contributed, perhaps because of redundancy: he was a Maradona-type of player, thus, useless in the presence of the real thing. Argentina moved ahead, but, curiously, Bulgaria had a chance to go ahead too.

10.06.86 (12.00) Puebla, Estadio Cuauhtemoc

ITA – KOR 3:2 (1:0)

(~20000) Socha USA, Urres MEX, Al-Sharif SYR

ITA: Galli – Collovati, Vierchowod, Scirea (c), Cabrini – de Napoli, Bagni (67 G.Baresi), di Gennaro, Conti – Galderisi (88 Vialli), Altobelli

KOR: Oh Yung-kyo – Park Kyung-hoon, Chung Yong-hwan, Cho Young-jeung, Huh Jung-moo – Cho Kwang-rae, Choi Soon-ho, Park Chang-sun (c), Byun Byung-joo (71 Kim Jong-hoo) – Kim Joo-sung (46 Chung Jong-soo), Cha Bum-keun

1:0 Altobelli 18, 1:1 Choi Song-hoo 62, 2:1 Altobelli 73, 3:1 Choi Kwang-rae

82 o, 3:2 Huh Jung-moo 89 (26 Altobelli missed penalty)

Another match leaving no memories. The last group matches were played at the same time, in order of avoiding schemes, but that had little to do with actual improvement of football. Bearzot studied well the opposition and knew perfectly what his squad was capable of doing. And what he needs. Italy needed 2 points to kill any weird option, coming out of Argentina – Bulgaria, and South Korea was beatable. Without extra effort, just play enough to get the points. It worked at the beginning of the match – Altobelli scored early. Then Italy got a penalty and Altobelli missed, but no worry – the game was over. Game is over as soon as the result is 1-0 Italy… Perhaps South Korea was still too ignorant of big teams habits, for the Asians did not give up, but continued to run methodically and even tried to attack. To their big displeasure, the Italians had to run and fight for the ball – it was not going to be economic game of mild possession and walking in the center of the pitch. In the second half South Korea equalized. It was too late for Italy to change its approach, but they stepped up a bit and class helped – South Korea was still naive and chased a possible victory. Which was exactly what Italians liked best: now they had opportunity for counterattacks and used them well. Altobelly scored his second goal, then own goal made it 3-1 in the 82nd minute. South Korea continued to attack and managed to score a second goal, but there was no time for something more.

1. ARG^ 3 2 1 0 5 6-2

2. ITA^ 3 1 2 0 4 5-4

3. BUL^ 3 0 2 1 2 2-4

4. KOR 3 0 1 2 1 4-7

South Korea was out, but did well at the 1986 finals. By their own standards, it was satisfying participation: played almost like equals against 2 world champions, scored goals, got a point. All this was good stepping stone for development, going up. Internationally, it was recognized that South Korea is no joke – not much, but tough enough team, which would be dangerous to ignore. The Koreans were physically fit and had the right fighting spirit. Compact team, still beatable, but not without effort. It was shaping in German mode, which was not pleasant, but at that time advanced football was like that, so nothing to blame the Koreans for following the leading approach. It was serious, disciplined approach to the game and greatly beneficial for technically inferior players. In terms of Asian football, South Korea was already a few steps ahead of everybody else and they were closing the gap with European football.

As a whole, Group A was disappointment. Not a single bright and entertaining match. Italy and Argentina were not only no fun, but the way they played it was doubtful either team could go far. South Korea was no fun either – the only excuse for them was that were developing and not very weak, but they were out, and that was a relief in some way. As for Bulgaria… that was the team leaving no memories at all. Just blank… The group ended according to prediction: Italy and Argentina were expected to be on top and they were, no surprises.

June 21, 2020

Group F

Group F. England, Portugal, Poland, Morocco, playing mostly in Monterrey and one match in Guadalajara. A tough group too, but with one undisputed leader.

England.

Third row from left: Francis, Stevens, Dixon, Hoddle, Martin, Waddle, Watson, Fenwick, Lineker.

Middle row: Edwards – doctor, Strigg (?) – masseur, Anderson, Hateley, Shilton, Bailey, Woodcock, Barnes, Howe – assistant coach, Madura (?) – masseur.

Sitting: Sansom, Wilkins, Bryan Robson, Bobby Robson – coach, Wright (?), Steven, Brayswell (?)

Head coach: Bobby Robson

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Peter Shilton

18 September 1949 (aged 36)

Southampton

Gary M. Stevens

27 March 1963 (aged 23)

Everton

Kenny Sansom

26 September 1958 (aged 27)

Arsenal

Glenn Hoddle

27 October 1957 (aged 28)

Tottenham Hotspur

Alvin Martin

29 July 1958 (aged 27)

West Ham United

Terry Butcher

28 December 1958 (aged 27)

Ipswich Town

Bryan Robson (Captain)

11 January 1957 (aged 29)

Manchester United

Ray Wilkins

14 September 1956 (aged 29)

Milan

Mark Hateley

7 November 1961 (aged 24)

Milan

Gary Lineker

30 November 1960 (aged 25)

Everton

Chris Waddle

14 December 1960 (aged 25)

Tottenham Hotspur

Viv Anderson

29 July 1956 (aged 29)

Arsenal

Chris Woods

14 November 1959 (aged 26)

Norwich City

Terry Fenwick

17 November 1959 (aged 26)

Queens Park Rangers

Gary A. Stevens

30 March 1962 (aged 24)

Tottenham Hotspur

Peter Reid

20 June 1956 (aged 29)

Everton

Trevor Steven

21 September 1963 (aged 22)

Everton

Steve Hodge

25 October 1962 (aged 23)

Aston Villa

John Barnes

7 November 1963 (aged 22)

Watford

Peter Beardsley

18 January 1961 (aged 25)

Newcastle United

Kerry Dixon

24 July 1961 (aged 24)

Chelsea

Gary Bailey

9 August 1958 (aged 27)

Manchester United

It should be said right away, that the photo is not the World Cup squad and not even from 1986. Strangely enough, the English magazines did not really decide on publishing actual photo of the squad and they were not alone: the record the national team cut also shows the wrong squad, the same photo. Why was that is anybody’s guess: England was always a favourite, but there was special hope this time. Seemingly, Bobby Robson’s England was bound to return to glory. There was departure of the old English ways, now it was more up to date and more European-playing team. The biggest change was in the relation between midfield and strikers: at last England had creative players – Robson, Hoddle, and Waddle – able to orchestrate the attacks, and in front was wonderful Lineker, not at all the typical burly English center-forward stationed in front of the gate and waiting for sweeping balls from the wings. It was no more kick and run, or so it looked like. England was expected to go far. The only problem was health – all midfielders were prone to injuries. Without one or two of them it was possible the team returning to old kick and run way, habits don’s die in a day. Predictable English game would make the central defenders a liability for certain – Butcher and Fenwick were strong no nonsense fighters, but a bit dull and slow-turning – quick, imaginative strikers could beat them, especially if England lost the midfield. But, as a whole, England was the group favourite and expected to finish on top.

Portugal

Top row from left: ?, Andre, ?, ?, Fernando Mendes, Morato, Mario Jorge, Jaime, Nunes, Jose Antonio, Alvaro, Samuel, ?.

Middle row: ?, ?, ?, ?, Damas, Bento, Vital, Jorge Martins, ?, Rui Aguas, ?, Jose Torres – coach.

Sitting: Frederico, Oliveira, Venancio, Inacio, Jaime Pacheco, Sousa, Gomes, Diamantino, Joao Pinto, Futre, Veloso.

Head coach: José Torres

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Manuel Bento (Captain)

25 June 1948 (aged 37)

Benfica

João Pinto

21 November 1961 (aged 24)

Porto

António Sousa

28 April 1957 (aged 29)

Sporting CP

José Ribeiro

2 November 1957 (aged 28)

Boavista

Álvaro

3 January 1961 (aged 25)

Benfica

Carlos Manuel

15 January 1958 (aged 28)

Benfica

Jaime Pacheco

22 July 1958 (aged 27)

Sporting CP

Frederico

6 April 1957 (aged 29)

Boavista

Fernando Gomes

22 November 1956 (aged 29)

Porto

Paulo Futre

28 February 1966 (aged 20)

Porto

Fernando Bandeirinha

26 November 1962 (aged 23)

Académica de Coimbra

Jorge Martins

22 August 1954 (aged 31)

Belenenses

António Morato

6 November 1964 (aged 21)

Sporting CP

Jaime Magalhães

10 July 1962 (aged 23)

Porto

António Oliveira

8 June 1958 (aged 27)

Benfica

José António

29 October 1957 (aged 28)

Belenenses

Diamantino

3 August 1959 (aged 26)

Benfica

Luís Sobrinho

5 May 1961 (aged 25)

Belenenses

Rui Águas

28 April 1960 (aged 26)

Benfica

Augusto Inácio

1 February 1955 (aged 31)

Porto

António André

24 December 1957 (aged 28)

Porto

Vítor Damas

8 October 1947 (aged 38)

22727 Sporting Lisbon

Not exactly a favourite, but the wonderful performance of Portugal at the 1984 European finals was supposed not to carry on to 1986 – it was largely promising performance of bright, but not yet at its peak team. Now the team was supposed to be peaking and it was talented generation, especially in attack. Chalana’s absence was severe handicap, but new extremely talented boy popped up: Paulo Futre. Portugal was the likeliest candidate for second place.

Poland

Head coach: Antoni Piechniczek

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Józef Młynarczyk

20 September 1953 (aged 32)

Porto

Kazimierz Przybyś

11 July 1960 (aged 25)

Widzew Łódź

Władysław Żmuda

6 June 1954 (aged 31)

Cremonese

Marek Ostrowski

22 November 1959 (aged 26)

Pogoń Szczecin

Roman Wójcicki

8 January 1958 (aged 28)

Widzew Łódź

Waldemar Matysik

27 September 1961 (aged 24)

Górnik Zabrze

Ryszard Tarasiewicz

27 April 1962 (aged 24)

Śląsk Wrocław

Jan Urban

14 May 1962 (aged 24)

Górnik Zabrze

Jan Karaś

17 March 1959 (aged 27)

Legia Warsaw

Stefan Majewski

31 January 1956 (aged 30)

1. FC Kaiserslautern

Włodzimierz Smolarek

16 July 1957 (aged 28)

Widzew Łódź

Jacek Kazimierski

17 August 1959 (aged 26)

Legia Warsaw

Ryszard Komornicki

14 August 1959 (aged 26)

Górnik Zabrze

Dariusz Kubicki

6 June 1963 (aged 22)

Legia Warsaw

Andrzej Buncol

21 September 1959 (aged 26)

Legia Warsaw

Andrzej Pałasz

22 July 1960 (aged 25)

Górnik Zabrze

Andrzej Zgutczyński

1 January 1958 (aged 28)

Górnik Zabrze

Krzysztof Pawlak

12 February 1958 (aged 28)

Lech Poznań

Józef Wandzik

13 August 1963 (aged 22)

Górnik Zabrze

Zbigniew Boniek (Captain)

3 March 1956 (aged 30)

Roma

Dariusz Dziekanowski

30 September 1962 (aged 23)

Legia Warsaw

Jan Furtok

9 March 1962 (aged 24)

GKS Katowice

Poland was not a favourite largely because the team developed little after the 1982 World Cup – Boniek and Smolarek were lethal duo, but most key players, Boniek included, aged and among the new crop only Jan Furtok was truly classy. Plenty of experience, but somewhat uninspired squad and then there was tradition… the pattern was already established: bronze medalists in 1974, mediocre in 1978, again surprise bronze in 1982 – now it was time for mediocrity. Poland was not to be outsider, of course, but third place was likelier than second. One important thing should be said: Wladyslaw Zmuda was coming to his 4th World Cup. Few players were members of this club and he was expected to really join them, for so far true membership meant not just making the roster, but actually playing at the finals – Zmuda was constant regular, so it was unlikely he would sit on the bench. And he was not even 32 years old yet – the way Poland was going, he had the chance to become the first player to appear at 5 World Cups, but that concerned the 1990 finals.

Morocco

First row from left: Rakhji (?), Fidadi, Bidane, Barbori, Labied, Haidamou, Timoumi, Lamriss, Kadani (?).

Standing: Souleimani, Fadili, Bouyahyaoui, Sahil, Zaki, Moudani, Rhiati, Yakdani (?), El Biyaz, Hcina El Ourdi.

Head coach: José Faria

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Badou Zaki (Captain)

2 April 1959 (aged 27)

N/A

Wydad Casablanca

Labid Khalifa

1 January 1955 (aged 31)

N/A

Kenitra

Abdelmajid Lamriss

12 February 1959 (aged 27)

N/A

FAR Rabat

Mustafa El Biyaz

12 December 1960 (aged 25)

N/A

KAC Marrakesh

Noureddine Bouyahyaoui

7 January 1955 (aged 31)

N/A

Kenitra

Abdelmajid Dolmy

19 April 1953 (aged 33)

N/A

Raja Casablanca

Mustafa El Haddaoui

28 July 1961 (aged 24)

N/A

Lausanne

Aziz Bouderbala

26 December 1960 (aged 25)

N/A

Sion

Abdelkrim Merry “Krimau”

13 January 1955 (aged 31)

N/A

Le Havre

Mohamed Timoumi

15 January 1960 (aged 26)

N/A

FAR Rabat

Mustafa Merry

21 April 1958 (aged 28)

N/A

Valenciennes

Salahdine Hmied

1 September 1961 (aged 24)

N/A

FAR Rabat

Abdelfettah Rhiati

25 February 1963 (aged 23)

N/A

Maghreb Fez

Lahcen Ouadani

14 July 1959 (aged 26)

N/A

FAR Rabat

Mouncif El Haddaoui

21 October 1964 (aged 21)

N/A

AS Sale

Azzedine Amanallah

7 April 1956 (aged 30)

N/A

Besançon

Abderrazak Khairi

20 November 1962 (aged 23)

N/A

FAR Rabat

Mohammed Sahil

11 October 1963 (aged 22)

N/A

KAC Marrakesh

Fadel Jilal

4 March 1964 (aged 22)

N/A

Wydad Casablanca

Abdellah Bidane

10 September 1965 (aged 20)

N/A

CODM Meknes

Abdelaziz Souleimani

30 April 1958 (aged 28)

N/A

Maghreb Fez

Abdelfettah Mouddani

30 July 1956 (aged 29)

N/A

Kenitra

Morocco was outsider, yet, not precisely an outsider – because of the rise of African football in the 1980s, teams like Morocco were waited with caution by now: everybody remembered well the performance of Cameroon and Algeria four years earlier. Surprises were more than possible, the Brazilian coach Faria not only did a good job qualifying the team to the finals, but the Moroccans were wise – his hiring was not fly-by-night affair: unlike the rather typical African approach to hire foreign coach just for the finals and fire him right after, Faria was working in Morocco for quite a long time, he made the team, shaped it into the style he wanted it to be. And it did not look like the coach was to be sacked and blamed for everything after the finals. Thus, Morocco was on solid ground, there was no hysteria and fantastic expectations. The calm surrounding the team was very likely productive and if there was a team expected to make a surprise performance, it was Morocco. The squad was largely unknown, it did not have known players like Algeria, and less European-based professionals than same Algeria, but still they had quite a few, enough to provide experience. Timoumi was the star, but it was possible that some others would make their names at the finals – there was good reason to try one’s best: European contract. And the group was opportune: with some luck, Morocco could have its day against current Poland and Portugal. Yet, mostly favourable impressions were the most expected from Morocco, most likely they to finish last.

June 20, 2020June 20, 2020

Group E

Group E. West Germany, Uruguay, Denmark, and Scotland, playing in Queretaro and Nezahualcoyotl. The group of death. Every World Cup has such group and Group E was the 1986 sample. Anything could happen in such group, but some predictions were possible nevertheless.

Denmark

Head coach: Sepp Piontek

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Troels Rasmussen

4 July 1961 (aged 24)

AGF

John Sivebæk

25 October 1961 (aged 24)

Manchester United

Søren Busk

10 April 1953 (aged 33)

MVV

Morten Olsen (Captain)

14 August 1949 (aged 36)

Anderlecht

Ivan Nielsen

9 October 1956 (aged 29)

Feyenoord

Søren Lerby

1 February 1958 (aged 28)

Bayern Munich

Jan Mølby

4 July 1963 (aged 22)

Liverpool

Jesper Olsen

20 March 1961 (aged 25)

Manchester United

Klaus Berggreen

3 February 1958 (aged 28)

Pisa

Preben Elkjær Larsen

11 September 1957 (aged 28)

Hellas Verona

Michael Laudrup

15 June 1964 (aged 21)

Juventus

Jens Jørn Bertelsen

15 February 1952 (aged 34)

Aarau

Per Frimann

4 June 1962 (aged 23)

Anderlecht

Allan Simonsen

15 December 1952 (aged 33)

Vejle

Frank Arnesen

30 September 1956 (aged 29)

PSV

Ole Qvist

25 February 1950 (aged 36)

Kent Nielsen

28 December 1961 (aged 24)

Brønshøj

Flemming Christensen

10 April 1958 (aged 28)

Lyngby

John Eriksen

20 November 1957 (aged 28)

Feyenoord

Jan Bartram

6 March 1962 (aged 24)

AGF

Henrik Andersen

7 May 1965 (aged 21)

Anderlecht

Lars Høgh

14 January 1959 (aged 27)

Odense

Denmark was no longer a miracle – it was the team praised for coming the closest to total football in the first half of the 1980s, and by now the inconsistencies of the earlier developmental stages were thought over: the squad was experienced, constant, full of stars playing for the leading European clubs and not just playing, but having key roles. The Danes played dazzling football and thanks to Troels Rasmussen had no weak post anymore – goalkeeping has been big problem, but no more. Sepp Piontek had no problems with his players, there was no great pressure on the team to succeed, and one can always depend on Morten Olsen and Simonsen to spur and lead by example their younger teammates. So far, transition was going smoothly, for new talent was coming up – Peter Schmeichel for instance, was considered and left out. Denmark was very likely to win the group of death, they were just ripe for success.

West Germany

Head coach: Franz Beckenbauer

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Harald Schumacher

6 March 1954 (aged 32)

1. FC Köln

Hans-Peter Briegel

11 October 1955 (aged 30)

Hellas Verona

Andreas Brehme

9 November 1960 (aged 25)

1. FC Kaiserslautern

Karlheinz Förster

25 July 1958 (aged 27)

VfB Stuttgart

Matthias Herget

14 November 1955 (aged 30)

Bayer Uerdingen

Norbert Eder

7 November 1955 (aged 30)

Bayern Munich

Pierre Littbarski

16 April 1960 (aged 26)

1. FC Köln

Lothar Matthäus

21 March 1961 (aged 25)

Bayern Munich

Rudi Völler

13 April 1960 (aged 26)

Werder Bremen

Felix Magath

26 July 1953 (aged 32)

Hamburger SV

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Captain)

25 September 1955 (aged 30)

Internazionale

Uli Stein

23 October 1954 (aged 31)

Hamburger SV

Karl Allgöwer

5 January 1957 (aged 29)

VfB Stuttgart

Thomas Berthold

12 November 1964 (aged 21)

Eintracht Frankfurt

Klaus Augenthaler

26 September 1957 (aged 28)

Bayern Munich

Olaf Thon

1 May 1966 (aged 20)

Schalke 04

Ditmar Jakobs

28 August 1953 (aged 32)

Hamburger SV

Uwe Rahn

21 May 1962 (aged 24)

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Klaus Allofs

5 December 1956 (aged 29)

1. FC Köln

Dieter Hoeneß

7 January 1953 (aged 33)

Bayern Munich

Wolfgang Rolff

26 December 1959 (aged 26)

Hamburger SV

Eike Immel

27 November 1960 (aged 25)

Borussia Dortmund

It was stormy time – along with Brazil and Argentina, West Germany was the most mercilessly criticized team at home. In their case, though, domestic criticism was shared with international opinions. Beckenbauer succeeded somewhat to pacify public opinion – this was the first time in modern times when West Germany was going to the finals without big expectations and everybody was seemingly resigned to the fact the team was far from great – but was unable to stop the scandals, the internal fighting, and bad mouthing. No matter how much he tried and how diplomatic he was, Beckenbauer was unable to convince Schuster to join the squad. The pact he made with Schumacher to keep his mouth shut at the finals was broken by the goalkeeper. The atmosphere in the team was sick and Beckenbauer had to make heroic efforts just to keep the team going. Going was rather difficult and certainly unpleasant, so West Germany was not in great shape to win the group. It was more than possible they were not going even to reach the second phase of the finals, but one can hardly dismiss a German team – if anything, they were fighters. Ugly or not, they were going to fight and possibly succeed. Succeed in reaching second stage. Very likely second in the group.

Scotland

Head coach: Alex Ferguson

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Jim Leighton

24 July 1958 (aged 27)

Aberdeen

Richard Gough

5 April 1962 (aged 24)

Dundee United

Maurice Malpas

3 August 1962 (aged 23)

Dundee United

Graeme Souness (Captain)

6 May 1953 (aged 33)

Sampdoria

Alex McLeish

21 January 1959 (aged 27)

Aberdeen

Willie Miller

2 May 1955 (aged 31)

Aberdeen

Gordon Strachan

9 February 1957 (aged 29)

Manchester United

Roy Aitken

24 November 1958 (aged 27)

Celtic

Eamonn Bannon

18 April 1958 (aged 28)

Dundee United

Jim Bett

25 November 1959 (aged 26)

Aberdeen

Paul McStay

22 October 1964 (aged 21)

Celtic

Andy Goram

13 April 1964 (aged 22)

Oldham Athletic

Steve Nicol

11 December 1961 (aged 24)

Liverpool

David Narey

12 June 1956 (aged 29)

Dundee United

Arthur Albiston

14 July 1957 (aged 28)

Manchester United

Frank McAvennie

22 November 1959 (aged 26)

West Ham United

Steve Archibald

27 September 1956 (aged 29)

Barcelona

Graeme Sharp

16 October 1960 (aged 25)

Everton

Charlie Nicholas

30 December 1961 (aged 24)

Arsenal

Paul Sturrock

10 October 1956 (aged 29)

Dundee United

Davie Cooper

25 February 1956 (aged 30)

Rangers

Alan Rough

25 November 1951 (aged 34)

Hibernian

Twice unlucky – 1974 and 1978 – so it was high time… but the team was weaker than the versions of the 1970s. Nothing to be done about it, it was objective situation. And Dalglish retired. But Alex Ferguson was coaching and that was a big asset. Souness, Strachan, Archibald, Nicholas – small, but impressive group of talent. Fighting spirit never lacked anyway. With some luck, Scotland could go ahead, but more likely taking third place.

Uruguay

Head coach: Omar Borrás

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Rodolfo Rodríguez

20 January 1956 (aged 30)

Santos

Nelson Gutiérrez

13 April 1962 (aged 24)

River Plate

Eduardo Mario Acevedo

25 September 1959 (aged 26)

Defensor Sporting

Víctor Diogo

9 April 1958 (aged 28)

Palmeiras

Miguel Bossio

10 February 1960 (aged 26)

Peñarol

José Batista

6 March 1962 (aged 24)

N/A

Deportivo Español

Antonio Alzamendi

7 June 1956 (aged 29)

N/A

River Plate

Jorge Barrios (Captain)

24 January 1961 (aged 25)

Olympiacos

Jorge da Silva

11 December 1961 (aged 24)

N/A

Atlético Madrid

Enzo Francescoli

12 November 1961 (aged 24)

River Plate

Sergio Santín

6 August 1956 (aged 29)

Atlético Nacional

Fernando Alvez

4 September 1959 (aged 26)

N/A

Peñarol

César Vega

2 September 1959 (aged 26)

Danubio

Darío Pereyra

19 October 1956 (aged 29)

São Paulo

Eliseo Rivero

27 December 1957 (aged 28)

Peñarol

Mario Saralegui

24 April 1959 (aged 27)

Peñarol

José Zalazar

26 October 1963 (aged 22)

N/A

Peñarol

Rubén Paz

8 August 1959 (aged 26)

N/A

Internacional

Venancio Ramos

20 June 1959 (aged 26)

N/A

Lens

Carlos Aguilera

21 September 1964 (aged 21)

Nacional

Wilmar Cabrera

31 July 1959 (aged 26)

Valencia

Celso Otero

1 February 1958 (aged 28)

Montevideo Wanderers

An enigma of some special kind: at home Borras was heavily criticized and dark predictions were abundant, but if somebody from the outside criticized the team, the whole country united in defence. Some of the domestic criticism was a bit weird too: Borras used mostly foreign-based players and he was criticized for that, a left-over from 1970s attitudes. By mid-80s, it was common for almost every national team to have foreign-based players and some were practically made of such. Uruguay hardly had a choice – its best players played abroad for years. Domestic criticism was picked-up by foreign observers to the tune of considering the squad hastily arranged rag-tag bunch, which was not true. What was true was that two key players were left out largely for political reasons, a Borras’s whimsicality, but in the case of Hugo de Leon it was not even substantial loss – Uruguay had decent defenders even without him. More crucial criticism was the inclination towards rough play, but nothing new in that. Borras more or less promoted defensive approach, but it was his uncertainty the biggest problem: it looked like he was unable to make a sound tactical scheme based on the great abilities of Francescoli, just voted the best South American player. But the Uruguayans were fighters and the dark 1970s were over – Uruguay won Mondialito and after that the South American championship, it was not a team to be dismissed. They were not outsiders – only tentatively they could be seen as finishing last in the group: they could win the group just as well. Even if they were not suddenly inspired, their kind of rough play could be difficult to beat and very intimidating for unimaginative teams like West Germany and Scotland, but also for the crafty, yet, a bit fragile total-football team, like Denmark.

Again, in this group there were no outsiders and anything could happen.

June 17, 2020

Group D

Group D. Brazil, Spain, Northern Ireland, Algeria. Playing in Guadalajara and one match in Monterrey.

Brazil.

Head coach: Telê Santana

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Carlos

4 March 1956 (aged 30)

Corinthians

Édson

3 July 1959 (aged 26)

Corinthians

Oscar

20 June 1954 (aged 31)

São Paulo

Edinho (Captain)

5 June 1955 (aged 30)

Udinese

Falcão

16 October 1953 (aged 32)

São Paulo

Júnior

29 June 1954 (aged 31)

Torino

Müller

31 January 1966 (aged 20)

São Paulo

Casagrande

15 April 1963 (aged 23)

Corinthians

Careca

5 October 1960 (aged 25)

São Paulo

Zico

3 March 1953 (aged 33)

Flamengo

Edivaldo

13 April 1962 (aged 24)

Atlético Mineiro

Paulo Vítor

7 June 1957 (aged 28)

Fluminense

Josimar

19 September 1961 (aged 24)

Botafogo

Júlio César

8 March 1963 (aged 23)

Guarani

Alemão

22 November 1961 (aged 24)

Botafogo

Mauro Galvão

19 December 1961 (aged 24)

Internacional

Branco

4 April 1964 (aged 22)

Fluminense

Sócrates

19 February 1954 (aged 32)

Flamengo

Elzo

22 January 1961 (aged 25)

Atlético Mineiro

Silas

27 August 1965 (aged 20)

São Paulo

Valdo

12 January 1964 (aged 22)

Grêmio

Leão

11 July 1949 (aged 36)

Sport Recife

May be under heavy criticism at home, but Brazil is always prime favourite. The change of style was recognized and also the aging of the team, but Brazil is Brazil. Even the scandals plaguing Tele Santana and his selection were taken only with caution abroad: the prevailing believe was that Brazil will try to compensate for its failure in 1982, when it was the best team, and could succeed this time. On the negative side was aging: Zico, Socrates, Junior, Falcao, and Oscar were well over 30 and on top of it Zico was not in good shape, not fully recovered from heavy injury. The absence of Renato, Eder, and the last minute refusal of Leandro to go to Mexico in protest were noted as minuses. The return of Leao was recognized as a sign of major tactical change – he refused for the free-spirited adventurous football Santana insisted on in 1982, but now it was exactly what Leao wanted: cautious, defensive approach., never liked by Brazilian fans and journalists. However, either because of old grudges or lack of solid form the veteran goalkeeper was not a first choice. Remembering pathetic goalkeeping at the previous World Cup, goalkeeping was automatically suspect: Leao was the best by far during the 1970s, but now he was out – not good. Some players without any experience were included – Josimar, Valdo, Julio Cesar, Mauro Galvao, Edivaldo, Silas – which was unusual for Brazil and looked like improvised in the last second making the numbers after stars were left out. Of course, Brazil surely had plenty of talent, but these boys were too young and hardly heard of before and, thus, suspect – looked like Santana will use well known names, but if they underperformed there were no other options. Yet, Brazil was expected to win its group – it was Brazil and opposition was quiet convenient. Even if they stumbled, they were the likeliest group winners.

Spain

Head coach: Miguel Muñoz

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Andoni Zubizarreta

23 October 1961 (aged 24)

Athletic Bilbao

Tomás

9 August 1960 (aged 25)

Atlético Madrid

José Antonio Camacho (Captain)

8 June 1955 (aged 30)

Real Madrid

Antonio Maceda

16 May 1957 (aged 29)

Real Madrid

Víctor

15 March 1957 (aged 29)

Barcelona

Rafael Gordillo

24 February 1957 (aged 29)

Real Madrid

Juan Antonio Señor

26 August 1958 (aged 27)

Real Zaragoza

Andoni Goikoetxea

23 August 1956 (aged 29)

Athletic Bilbao

Emilio Butragueño

22 July 1963 (aged 22)

Real Madrid

Francisco José Carrasco

6 March 1959 (aged 27)

Barcelona

Julio Alberto

7 October 1958 (aged 27)

Barcelona

Quique Setién

27 September 1958 (aged 27)

Atlético Madrid

Urruti

17 February 1952 (aged 34)

Barcelona

Ricardo Gallego

8 February 1959 (aged 27)

Real Madrid

Chendo

12 October 1961 (aged 24)

Real Madrid

Hipólito Rincón

28 April 1957 (aged 29)

Real Betis

Francisco

1 November 1962 (aged 23)

Sevilla

Ramón Calderé

16 January 1959 (aged 27)

Barcelona

Julio Salinas

11 September 1962 (aged 23)

Athletic Bilbao

Eloy

10 July 1964 (aged 21)

Sporting Gijón

Míchel

23 March 1963 (aged 23)

Real Madrid

Juan Carlos Ablanedo

2 September 1963 (aged 22)

Sporting Gijón

Spain was a fiasco in 1982 and a pleasant surprise in 1984, but somewhat returned to its old way after that, so it was hard to imagine what could be at the World Cup. There were some players who were not up to the promise they showed in 1984, notably Real Sociedad players. The wonderful goalkeeper Arconada was out, but exciting new star – Butragueno – was in. But murderers were regulars – Goikoetxea and Gordillo – so it was likelier that Spain, full of Basque fighters, would be rough soldiering team. Most likely, second in the group.

Northern Ireland.

Head coach: Billy Bingham

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Pat Jennings

12 June 1945 (aged 40)

116

Everton

Jimmy Nicholl

28 December 1956 (aged 29)

West Bromwich Albion

Mal Donaghy

13 September 1957 (aged 28)

Luton Town

John O’Neill

11 March 1958 (aged 28)

Leicester City

Alan McDonald

12 October 1963 (aged 22)

Queens Park Rangers

David McCreery

16 September 1957 (aged 28)

Newcastle United

Steve Penney

16 January 1964 (aged 22)

Brighton & Hove Albion

Sammy McIlroy (Captain)

2 August 1954 (aged 31)

Manchester City

Jimmy Quinn

18 November 1959 (aged 26)

Blackburn Rovers

Norman Whiteside

7 May 1965 (aged 21)

Manchester United

Ian Stewart

10 September 1961 (aged 24)

Newcastle United

Jim Platt

26 January 1951 (aged 35)

Coleraine

Philip Hughes

19 November 1964 (aged 21)

Bury

Gerry Armstrong

23 May 1954 (aged 32)

Chesterfield

Nigel Worthington

4 November 1961 (aged 24)

Sheffield Wednesday

Paul Ramsey

3 September 1962 (aged 23)

Leicester City

Colin Clarke

30 October 1962 (aged 23)

AFC Bournemouth

John McClelland

7 December 1955 (aged 30)

Watford

Billy Hamilton

9 May 1957 (aged 29)

Oxford United

Bernard McNally

17 February 1963 (aged 23)

Shrewsbury Town

David Campbell

2 June 1965 (aged 20)

Nottingham Forest

Mark Caughey

31 August 1960 (aged 25)

Linfield

Naturally limited, but courageous team, which was seen as one of possible surprises. Northern Ireland had small number of really good players and was the only team having to look in second and lower divisions in order to complete a squad, but scarce resources they compensated with spirit. Pat Jennings already challenged Dino Zoff as the older player to appear at World Cup finals. Northern Ireland was expected to finish third, though – spirit is spirit, but ability is another matter, even when a team is free from the pressure of great expectations. Scoring was a big and traditional problem for the Irish and they were not better than Algeria, but they were capable of getting a point, even two, from a team like Spain and coming ahead of the Algerians.

Algeria.

First row from left: Chaib, Mansouri, Benkhalidi, Kacim (?) – masseur, Madjer, Assad, Belloumi, Megichi (?), Sadmi, Yahi (?), Menad, Drid, Bouiche.

Standing: Faral (?) – physio, Guendouz, Bensalem (?) – doctor, Kourichi, Abdelwahid (?) – goalkeeping coach, Bensour (?), Sadak (?), Said, Kachi (?) – masseur, Cerbah, Megharia, Maroc, Isaad (?) – chairman of the Football Federation, Mokhdadi (?) – assistant coach, Saadane – coach.

Head coach: Rabah Saâdane

No.

Pos.

Player

Date of birth (age)

Caps

Club

Nacerdine Drid

22 January 1957 (aged 29)

N/A

MP Oran

Mahmoud Guendouz (Captain)

24 February 1953 (aged 33)

N/A

JS El Biar

Fathi Chebal

19 August 1956 (aged 29)

N/A

Rouen

Nourredine Kourichi

12 April 1954 (aged 32)

N/A

Lille

Abdellah Medjadi Liegeon

1 December 1957 (aged 28)

N/A

Monaco

Mohammed Kaci Said

2 May 1958 (aged 28)

N/A

RS Kouba

Salah Assad

13 March 1958 (aged 28)

N/A

Mulhouse

Karim Maroc

5 March 1958 (aged 28)

N/A

Montpellier

Djamel Menad

22 July 1960 (aged 25)

N/A

JE Tizi-Ouzou

Lakhdar Belloumi

29 December 1958 (aged 27)

N/A

GCR Mascara

Rabah Madjer

15 December 1958 (aged 27)

N/A

Porto

Tedj Bensaoula

1 December 1954 (aged 31)

N/A

Le Havre

Rachid Harkouk

16 May 1956 (aged 30)

N/A

Notts County

Djamel Zidane

28 April 1955 (aged 31)

N/A

Waterschei Thor

Abdelhamid Sadmi

1 January 1961 (aged 25)

N/A

JE Tizi-Ouzou

Faouzi Mansouri

17 January 1956 (aged 30)

N/A

Montpellier

Fawzi Benkhalidi

3 February 1963 (aged 23)

N/A

WKF Boufarik

Halim Benmabrouk

25 June 1960 (aged 25)

N/A

Racing Paris

Mohammed Chaib

20 May 1957 (aged 29)

N/A

RS Kouba

Fodil Megharia

23 May 1961 (aged 25)

N/A

ASO Chlef

Larbi El Hadi

27 May 1961 (aged 25)

N/A

WKF Boufarik

Mourad Amara

19 February 1959 (aged 27)

N/A

JE Tizi-Ouzou

Algeria was not to be dismissed out of hand – it was the first African country to qualify to two consecutive World Cup finals. It left pleasant memories in 1982 and if not for shameful arrangement of West Germany and Austria, they were going to reach the second stage back then. There was continuity – a lot of players were coming to their second world cup (Madjer, Mansouri, Maroc, to name but a few) and a good number of players were well established in European clubs and no longer in the French leagues – Madjer was key player of FC Porto and Rachid Harkouk was still playing for Notts County, as he did in 1982. Nots County may not have been much to brag about, but one have to keep in mind that foreign players hardly made it in England at that time – Harkouk made it, though. Algeria was also faithful to local coaching – unlike the typical African practice of using foreign coaches. The team had at least two stars – Belloumi and Madjer – to lead their teammates. It was not hopeless outsider by no means, but most likely to finish last in the group anyhow – Algeria was beatable by both Brazil and Spain and most likely going to lose the battle for third place to Northern Ireland by little.

Category: 1986

Third-place table

Group F

Group E

Group D

Group C

Group B

Group A

Group F

Group E

Group D