Brazil and USSR opened the group. Santana was confident and most experts were sure Brazil will win. Apart from purely football aspects, in favour of Brazil was the weather – almost +40 C – and enormous fan support. And when the match started, expectations were seemingly fulfilled: Brazil attacked and dominated the game. But team USSR was well organized and dangerous too – at last, an interesting game. Which was almost ruined by the referee. In total, he disallowed a Soviet goal and did not call one – or two, depending on opinion – penalties in favour of USSR.
Ramaz Shengelia after scoring his goal – the Spanish referee did not think so.
Yet, the Soviets scored first and Brazil struggled to equalize to the very last quarter of the match. Socrates equalized in the 75th minute and 3 minutes before the final whistle Eder scored spectacular second – and winning – goal. Referee Augusto Lamo Castillo angered so much everybody, so to a point the football aspects were missed: USSR played well and Rinat Dassaev was excellent, but there was an old problem – tactics. Once having the lead, the Soviets were largely concerned with keeping the result, which resulted in isolation of their strikers – a big mistake, since it was obvious that Brazil had shaky goalkeeper. Brazil struggled in one particular aspect: they dominated the match and played exciting attacking football, but struggled to materialize their superiority. Goals came with great difficulties. Thus, it was imperative for them not that much to win, but actually to overcome the scoring problem. A psychological problem largely. Unfortunately, it was the referee helping Brazil to break the bad spell. Brazil 2 – USSR 1.
Scotland – New Zealand was a bit more than protocol: that the Scots will win nobody doubted. The only focus of interest was the Scottish approach: in the past, they paid heavy price for not taking seriously the outsiders. As an opponent, New Zealand was convenient team, for they played familiar British style football and the difference of class greatly favoured the Scots. But British-style teams were never to be underestimated – they played with big hearts, often overperforming against similar teams.
Scotland was the better team from the start and was leading 3-0 by the 33rd minute. This time they were not to make the old mistakes, it looked like. But they returned to the old habit… and in the 65th minute the result was 3-2. Luckily, the Scots woke up again and scored 2 more goals. 5-2. New Zealand made a pleasant debut, was nothing much, but fought as much as they could. Scotland… hard to tell. They left the impression that were going to repeat 1974 and 1978 – which meant that their best games would be against the stronger teams.
Brazil – Scotland. Everything felt on its places – Brazil was flying, Scotland was unable to stop the assault. On the surface, it was even strange: Brazil seemingly was using more than risky tactic – 3-2-5. Scotland was outplayed and this time Brazil needed no official help, although once again they allowed an early goal and Scotland was leading until the 33rd minute.
It was the start of the second half, which decided the match – Oscar gave Brazil the lead in the 49th minute and there was no stopping after that. 4-1 at the end. Brazil already qualified for the next stage. Scotland lost its goal-difference advantage.
USSR – New Zealand. The Soviets were too nervous, although they were obviously the favourite. New Zealand settled in the plausible outsider role: not giving up, determined to give their best, giving their best. Which was not much, unfortunately – Soviet journalists counted 5 big misses by Shengelia alone, but it was not going to be forever.
The Soviet superiority eventually materialized into 3 goals. 3-0 at the end. USSR was ahead of Scotland and needed only a tie, but really it was all or nothing for both teams.
Scotland – USSR. Scotland had no other option, but to win. USSR obviously came on the field looking for a tie – they fielded 5 defenders and stuck to their own half, leaving the occasional counter-attacks to Blokhin. Scotland run full froward and their assault worked at first – Joe Jordan scored in the 15th minute. Later, however, Scottish pressure was not so effective and the typically British simplistic approach was not the key for a win.
The Russians were perhaps a bit lucky to equalize, but they did. True, in the second half, when both teams abandoned all caution and the Soviets, now on the losing end, jumped into attacks. In the 84th minute Shengelia scored a second goal, but Scotland did not give up and equalized in the 87th minute. And the match ended 2-2. For the Soviets it was the most difficult match and observers noted that the team was not even nearly close to the kind of football displayed against Brazil. Yet, they clinched the 2nd place in the group. Scotland confirmed their status for the unluckiest team ever – for a third consecutive World Cup they exited after the first round, paying the heavy price for not taking seriously enough the group outsider. Kind of that. Perhaps with better tactical approach, slowing the tempo, and concentrating on mid-field battle they would have been able to cancel out the Soviets, but British football did not recognize slow tempo and lingering in the midfield.
Brazil – New Zealand was mere protocol for both teams – on paper. Other team would have fielded reserves to provide some rest to the starters, but Brazilian mentality was unable even to grasp such an idea. Which was great for the humble New Zealanders – this match left most kind memories for the unknown players, who not only played against the world famous stars, but were treated with respect, as equals.
Of course, the difference in class showed early and Brazil won 4-0, but the winners played seriously and the match was nice to watch. New Zealand left pleasant impression, Brazil seemingly was getting better and better after each match.
Brazil 3 3 0 0 10 2 +8 6
Soviet Union 3 1 1 1 6 4 +2 3
Scotland 3 1 1 1 8 8 0 3
New Zealand 3 0 0 3 2 12 −10 0
The final table was exactly the same as expected to be before the start of the tournament – Brazil superior and first, USSR and Scotland battled for the 2nd place, the Soviets got it with a bit of luck, New Zealand – the outsider, which at least played without fear and trying bravely to be a match for vastly stronger opponents.