The first match of the group was, ironically, the most decisive – England vs France. Traditionally, France was an easy opponent for England, but tradition itself does not win games. Problems in both teams – Keegan and Brooking were injured. Francis and Rix replaced them. In a way, it was a chance to make use of the new libero, but in the same time it was not the time to experiment. Neither here, not there. The fundamental French problems were clearly presented in the team Hidalgo fielded: Ettori, originally the third goalkeeper, suddenly was a starter. Six and Bellone were replaced too. Goalkeepin and attack… the perennial French weaknesses. The match, however, unfolded in familiar way – tradition worked, England prevailed.
For good measure, Bryan Robson scored in the 1st minute. At the end – 3-1 for England. Hidalgo was cool – nothing tragic. England started pretty much as ever – good and strong. But did not give the impression it was new and improved.
Czechoslovakia vs Kuwait – not worth mentioning, right? There was a bit of caution in the Czechoslovak camp: they recalled that Kuwait managed a tie against them at the 1980 Olympic Games. World Cup was different, but many of the players of both sides were here. Still, Czechoslovakia was the favourite by far.
The Czechoslovaks were right to worry – Kuwait played surprisingly well and actually dominated most of the match. Still, they were on the losing end after the end of the first half. Thanks to suspect penalty, Czechoslovakia was leading 1-0. Panenka scored. Well, ‘big boys’ are often helped by referees when struggling against anonymous teams. But Kuwait equalized in the 58th minute and that was that – 1-1 at the end, one more surprise result, one more success for the outsiders. Czechoslovakia clearly was not going to produce a miracle this year, as it was suspected.
England – Czechoslovakia. After the opening matches, England was expected to win, but again caution prevailed – England struggled against East European teams during the 1970s and was eliminated by them, including Czechoslovakia. Ron Greenwood decided – and no surprise in that – not to change the team, which won against France. The Czechoslovakian problems were beyond mending. But tradition once again played its role and most of the match, especially the first half was equal.
In the second half England scored twice after Czechoslovakian mistakes – first Trevor Francis and then Barmos scored in his own net. Well, at least he was the last player the ball touched. England did not look better. It did not look ‘modernized’ either, libero or no libero. But with 2 wins England qualified already for the next stage. Czechoslovakia was practically out and rightly so – only big French misfortune would have helped them. Few thought such thing possible.
France – Kuwait. A mere protocol on the surface, but France had to win no matter what and Kuwait suddenly looked like able to produce sensation. Hidalgo did not sound very optimistic before the match. But the difference in class showed itself quickly – Kuwait played once again well, but France was simply much better.
The key moment was in the 30th minute, when Genghini scored from a free kick. The moment shows the big difference – powerful French and ‘primitive’ wall, made of players scared of the ball. France got confidence with this goal at last. Kuwait just played well. The big moment of the match happened after Alain Giresse scored and the Soviet referee Stupar allowed it. But it was suspect goal, at least to the fans of Kuwait, who already felt unfairly treated. The President of their Federation Prince Fahd Al-Ahmad forced his way to the pitch with one of his wife in toe. It was fantastic scene of utter chaos – everybody argued until the Spanish Police stepped in. Amazingly, the referee reversed his decision after his encounter with the Prince. Now the French were not happy, but they did not have a Prince. 1966 was recalled – once again a Soviet referee made blatantly wrong decision, disgracing the sport. Yet, it was unique moment of football history: never before and never after a referee changed his mind because the public wanted that. One can think in sorry political lines: bending to power was so much ingrained into Soviet people, that almost automatically they followed a mere demand of person of visible authority. It was enough to see a Party official… it was enough to see a Prince. Anyhow, France won 4-1. Apart of the shameful show of pitch invasion, Kuwait played well.
France – Czechoslovakia. It was decisive match – France had the edge, but Czechoslovakia still had a chance. All or nothing, but ‘all’ included also a tie, benefiting France. A rather equal match, decided by well known weaknesses: France was better, Czechoslovakia – unable to produce something really dangerous.
The French problem continued to be scoring, but the team was playing better and better every next game. Czechoslovakia was competent enough to be tough – bit often making mistakes and once again a defensive mistake helped France to 1-0 lead. Which was pretty much the end of the battle – true, Czechoslovakia was more active and pushing to the end of the match. Panenka scored his second goal from a penalty and equalized the result – 1-1. Czechoslovakia was out, as expected. France qualified in second place, as expected. Hidalgo said nothing else: second place was the French aim and it was achieved. Yet, the coach said, better wait for the result of the last group match. Waiting for what? For a surprise victory of Kuwait.
England – Kuwait was just a protocol, at least for England. Theoretically, Kuwait, if winning with 4 goals difference would qualify instead of France. Fat chance, even if England played in very disinterested way.
But no miracle happened – England was not particularly interested and Kuwait played again heroically, but the difference in class was too big. Trevor Francis scored in the 27th minute. That was it. After all, it was not the match itself, but what was going on away from the pitch more important: Kuwait was fined 25 000 Swiss franks for the interruption of the match with France, Stupar was penalized too and was taken out of the championship, Keegan was secretly rushed to see doctors in Hamburg in the hope they would patch him somewhat for the rest of the championship, Greenwood took advantage of the easy last game and benched Butcher and Samson to save them for more important matches. Butcher after all had a yellow card already and their was risk of getting another one and missing a game. Never mind… money were just peanuts for Kuwait, Keegan was unlikely to be a starter, because Trevor Francis was in great from and scoring, England ended with perfect record, Kuwait – happy with solid performance.
England 3 3 0 0 6 1 +5 6
France 3 1 1 1 6 5 +1 3
Czechoslovakia 3 0 2 1 2 4 −2 2
Kuwait 3 0 1 2 2 6 −4 1
Final standings exactly to the letter of expectations and predictions. Rather boring because of that – nothing out of line. Only France was seemingly getting better after each match. Greenwood proved to be no great reformer after all – England was similar to what it always was, libero or no libero. Kuwait was nice exotica, Czechoslovakia… not deserving to go ahead, so it was fine they did not.