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.