Group C – the other iron group: Argentina, Brazil, and Italy. From what was shown so far, Brazil had the edge. Argentina had a chance only if starting playing close to what made them world champions in 1978 – which was possible and hoped for – and Italy so far struggled tremendously just to reach this stage and unlikely to improve. The Italians were tough customer under any circumstances, but with their current form only a miracle was going to help them. Yet, the situation was the same as in Group B – small differences, no big favourite, anything possible.
Italy and Argentina opened the group – which benefited Brazil a little, for they would know what to play for and see the opponents in action, may be even canceling each other out. What not just the Brazilians saw was special in perverse way: both Argentina and Italy had long tradition of playing dirty, but apparently the Italians elevated their brutal skills to an art. The referee was severely criticized after the match, but it was often next to impossible to give even yellow card to artful murderers. Menotti recalled the only option the officials had: rule 12, stipulating that serial offender should be red-carded. But what exactly was a serial offender? Especially in those days, when a penalty was given only if the brought down player was actually dead and the Police showed undeniable evidence of the murder weapon. Football was clearly way back in the minds of both teams, but still it was clear that Argentina did not improve at all and Italy, quite surprisingly, did.
During the match emerged the anti-climax: Maradona once again produced nothing, thus confirming European doubts about his real class. Now, he appeared heavily inflated youngster, all image and no substance. Also Menotti made a mistake by moving him from midfield to purely attacking position. Next to him was Gentile – the ‘big hero’ of the match, who not only kicked Maradona every time the ball came near the Argentine, but had enough time to rip Ardiles’ jersey and commit some more atrocities here and there. Menotti counted 20 fouls delivered by Gentile to Maradona, but Bearzot only said that if Maradona played in midfield, as expected, Tardelli would have been his personal killer, not gentle Gentile. Gentile got yellow card, but only in the 41st minute and after 4 yellow cards were given to… strikers (Maradona, Ardiles, Kempes and sole Italian – Rossi). Their major crimes were arguing with and complaining to the referee… and what else the strikers could do when they were kicked all the time? In the little time left between kicks and arguing crimes and innocence, the Italians played a bit of football and scored 2 goals in the second half. Passarella scored one for Argentina, but it was the 82rd minute already and there was no time for more. Italy 2 – Argentina 1.
Argentina – Brazil. Argentina pushed from the start, but Brazil neutralized the initial assault and turned around the game quickly. Both teams were attacking-minded and although there was no lave lost between the old rivals, at least neither team tried to kill the game. Entertaining match in which Brazil shined and scored in the in the 12th minute – Eder missed a penalty, but the ball bounced back from the bar and Zico kicked it in the net. Argentina had a good opportunity near the end of the first half, but Valdir Peres saved. During the break Menotti changed his playing scheme: Kempes was replaced with Diaz for the second half and Maradona was moved back to midfield. Too late already – Brazil was still the more active, inventive, and dangerous team and in the 74th minute was leading 3-0. Argentina managed to score a goal in the 88th minute, but they were already ‘former world champions’ by then.
Maradona was red-carded, which put a sour end of his world cup: the opinion of him seemingly changed – not a great young star, but inflated persona, whose actual performance was less than ordinary. At the other side, Brazilians shined – Falcao made fantastic match. Serginho seemingly improved, Junior, Socrates, and Zico were perfect. Except Zico was injured and had to be substituted in the 85th minute. Brazil 3 – Argentina 1. Although Menotti said that Brazil needs to play better against Italy, than they played against Argentina, there was no doubt that Brazil will qualify to the semi-finals and most likely win the world cup.
Italy – Argentina. Only victory worked for Italy – and they were not exactly winners, neither by tradition, nor by what they showed so far. A tie worked for Brazil just fine, but this was not a squad playing for ties. It was all or nothing, a kind of game favouring Brazil. When the match started, it became clear that Bearzot managed to introduce a bit of change into his tactic: yes, Italy minded defense first of all, as ever, but were not so heavily entrenched in their own half, but concentrated in midfield, which helped them to organize much quicker their counter-attacks. Yes, they used personal cover as before – Gentile was attached to Zico, Oriali to Eder, and Collovati (later Bergomi) to Serginho – and Gentile was still dirty and brutal, but it was nearly as static approach as it was in the previous matches, so the Italians had more players involved with attacks. Meantime, Brazil came close to the ideal of total football, playing great and minding only the opposite net. May be because of that Italy was unable to kill the game, waiting for chancy opportunity, but also went into attacking play. Attractive match, in which Paolo Rossi became the central figure – and scored first very early, in the 4th minute. Brazil equalized in the 12th, thanks to Socrates. Then Rossi scored again – in the 25th minute. Crucial moment – Brazil was never the most cool team under pressure on one hand, and, on the other, minimal lead was usually automatic signal for the Italians to move back into iron defense, start wasting time, and disrupt the match by all possible means, mostly of the illegal kind. But Brazil was surprisingly cool, as if nothing happened, and continued to attack in high tempo, which Italy was unable to break at all and may be because of that Italy actually continued to play in rather attacking fashion.
In the second half Brazil managed to equalize again, thanks to Falcao, but Italy was more than worthy opponent – Rossi was unstoppable and score a third goal in the 75th minute. Brazil was unable to equalize and was out… Italy 3 – Brazil 2.
Italy 2 2 0 0 5 3 +2 4
Brazil 2 1 0 1 5 4 +1 2
Argentina 2 0 0 2 2 5 −3 0
Surprize ending of this group, but Italy deserved to win – they vastly improved their game at this stage, every next match better than the previous. Argentina was disappointment for the start of the championship and was rightly eliminated. Menotti recognized his own mistakes somewhat, but reluctantly. Brazil unfortunately lost, which was more than sad – they were the most entertaining team, the most creative, and tactically rich. But it became painfully after the match with Italy that times changed… Brazil had a big weakness: no good goalkeeper. 10 years ago it was not a problem for those introducing total football – Ajax and Holland had mediocre keepers and hardly mattered, for they not only were able to outscore everybody, but mostly because the ball rarely came near the net. Now such dominance was no longer possible and teams depending on physical play and constant pressure had a chance. The battle was moved entirely to midfield and any mistake could be lethal – either missed scoring opportunity, or letting the opposition some space. Too bad Brazil was going home. Italy played well and getting stronger, but they were not even nearly as fun as Brazil was. It came to the painful point that tactics win over creativity, improvisation, and desire to outplay and outscore the opponent.