Group D. France, Austria, and Northern Ireland. France was expected to win, overwhelmingly so, for they were perhaps the next exciting team after Brazil so far. And improving from match to match too. Austria was limited, but tough enough for some trouble, but going ahead was to be a miracle. Northern Ireland was seen without any chance – the team depended on enthusiasm and they overperformed so far, but this energy was spent. Northern Ireland did more than normally capable of, so the team reached its end.
France – Austria. Platini and Lacombe were injured and replaced. Austria had no such problems . Hidalgo appeared worried before the game, when he emphasized that his team lacks strikers like Krankl and Schachner. To a point, he was right: Rocheteau customary missed most opportunities and was not comfortable at the center-forward position. Six was tired. Soler, usually a substitute, was a double of Rocheteau – missing almost every striking opportunity. But the midfield more than compensated for the traditional weakness of the French strikers – Giresse, Tigana, and Genghini had fantastic match, feeling frier without Platini next to them.
Genghini scored from a free kick in the 39th minute and although this was the only goal of the match, there was no uncertainty about the winner. France flied. Austria was nothing much and many observers blamed their rigged match with West Germany – it looked like Austria lost its rhythm and after walking for 90 minutes aimlessly was simply unable to come back to some meaningful football. France was superior and the closest team to the kind of football Brazil played. A delight, despite the small 1-0 victory.
The second match – Austria – Northern Ireland – brought to life a peculiar problem of the new championship format: it was possible to calculate and scheme during an actual match and save some efforts. Austria did not recover fighting form, but brave Northern Ireland, the original outsider, played another wonderful match.
Hamilton scored in the 28th minute and the first half ended with Northern Ireland leading 1-0. Pezzey equalized in the 50th minute, and got the lead with a second goal, but the Irish were still stronger and pushed forward. And equalized in the with another goal by Hamilton in the 75th minute. At this moment calculations made the match meaningless. Austria was out not only with a tie, but even if they won. Norther Ireland had to beat France to go ahead, no matter how this match finished – even if they lost, they had a chance to reach the semi-finals. Suddenly, the new formula was absurd: winning meant nothing for one team, and losing also meant nothing for the other. The match finished 2-2.
Northern Ireland – France. Platini was back and France needed only a tie. The Irish had to win to go ahead. Hidalgo was not to risk playing for a tie against hearty opponent, but made change of the playing scheme, which proved very effective: Platini was moved ahead, not a typical center-forward, but a forward coming from the deep back – British defenders had no experience with such approach. Rocheteau was moved to his normal position as a winger, so instead of wasting scoring opportunities he had to deliver sharp passes to the center of the field.
France attacked from start and their inventive combinations were too much for the simple Irish players. Of course, the Irish fought as best as possible, but were simply outplayed. In the 71st minute the match was practically finished – France was leading 3-0. Armstrong still scored in the 76th minute, for no matter what Northern Ireland did not give up, but Giresse scored his second goal in the 81st minute anyway. 4-1 and France reached the semi-finals to the delight of everybody liking attractive attacking football.
France 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4 4
Austria 2 0 1 1 2 3 −1 1
Northern Ireland 2 0 1 1 3 6 −3 1
The group finished as expected, which was just fine, for France really deserved to go ahead. Northern Ireland outdid itself at this championship and captured the sympathy of many – the boys played bravely, giving the best, even more than their best. Austria was nothing much and because of the shameless fixed match with West Germany many people felt they deserved to go out just in the name of restoring justice. Objectively, it was felt that the team already reached the limit of its potential and already was on the road down. The key players were few, they aged, and there were no new players pf the same class. France was a revelation and seemingly getting stronger with each next match, but it was a team with weaknesses, put under scrutiny now, when Brazil paid so high prize for relatively minor details: France lacked good goalkeeper. Ettori, French observers pointed out, was too emotional under pressure and not a great keeper, but Baratelli and Castaneda were no better either, similarly nervous. The problems with strikers were old and there was no solution to them. The team was unable to find and keep its game under pressure from start – the match against England was a heavy warning. Yet, this was the team most people rooted for – the most exciting team after Brazil and the best hope that artistic football will win.