The Asian Cup – the 9th Asian championship. The finals were played in Qatar and 10 teams qualified to them – Saudi Arabia as current Cup holders, Qatar as hosts, and the top 2 teams from the 4 qualifying groups, which were also played in round-robin tournaments. 20 teams participated in them.
Group 1, played in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
1.UAE 5 4 1 0 12- 1 9
2.CHINA 5 3 2 0 10- 0 8
3.North Yemen 5 1 3 1 5- 5 5
4.Thailand 5 1 2 2 5-12 4
5.Bangladesh 5 0 3 2 1- 9 3
6.India 5 0 1 4 0- 6 1
Group 2, played in Kuala Lumpur, Malyasia.
1.KUWAIT 4 3 1 0 9- 0 7
2.JAPAN 4 2 1 1 6- 3 5
3.Jordan 4 1 3 0 2- 1 5
4.Malaysia 4 1 1 2 4- 6 3
5.Pakistan 4 0 0 4 1-12 0
Group 3, played in Katmandu, Nepal.
1.SYRIA 4 3 1 0 8- 2 7
2.IRAN 4 2 2 0 6- 1 6
3.North Korea 4 2 1 1 3- 2 5
4.Hongkong 4 0 1 3 0- 5 1
5.Nepal 4 0 1 3 0- 7 1
Group 4, played in Jakarta, Indonesia.
1.BAHRAIN 3 2 1 0 4- 0 5
2.SOUTH KOREA 3 1 1 1 5- 3 3
3.Indonesia 3 1 1 1 1- 4 3
4.South Yemen 3 0 1 2 1- 4 1
The finals were played in Dhoha, December 1988.
Group 1.
1.SOUTH KOREA 4 4 0 0 9- 2 8
2.IRAN 4 2 1 1 3- 3 5
3.Qatar 4 2 0 2 7- 6 4
4.UAE 4 1 0 3 2- 4 2
5.Japan 4 0 1 3 0- 6 1
Group 2.
1.SAUDI ARABIA 4 2 2 0 4- 1 6
2.CHINA 4 2 1 1 6- 3 5
3.Syria 4 2 0 2 2- 5 4
4.Kuwait 4 0 3 1 2- 3 3
5.Bahrain 4 0 2 2 1- 3 2
In the semifinals South Korea prevailed over China in overtime 2-1 (93,102 Lee Tae Ho; 100 Mai Chao] and Saudi Arabia won in regular time over Iran 1-0 ( 20 Majed Abdullah).
Third place match: Iran and China finished 0-0 and Iran won penalty shoot-out 3-0.
The final was played on December, 18 and ended in a scoreless tie: Saudi Arabia – South Korea 0-0. In the penalty shoot-out Saudi Arabia prevailed 4-3.
Asian football was getting stronger too – at least at the top level.
South Korea, with its few European-based professional players was hold at bay by inspired Saudis.
And the Saudis triumphed at the end.
South Korea ended with silver medals. Bad luck, but good performance.
Saudi Arabia won its 2nd consecutive Asian Cup.
Important victory, of course, especially if taken into perspective – although still unknown outside their continent, the Saudis were rapidly developing and they already established themselves as continental power. Soon the world would see they were not just an exotic team.
The final stage was to be played in Rabat and Casablanca. The road to it was thorny, as ever: Ethiopia, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Lesotho, and Mauritius withdrew at the preliminary round. Zambia and Rwanda withdrew at the first round. Libya withdrew at the second round. Ethiopia played the home leg against Tanzania and won 4-2, but then withdrew. Rwanda did not play a single match – they qualified to the first round because Lesotho withdrew, then they withdrew and did not play against Malawi. Libya did pretty much the same – as a stronger team, they did not played at the preliminary round, but started in the first – and directly qualified, because Zambia withdrew. Then they had to play against Algeria in the second round and this time Libya withdrew. It was the usual African story – teams refused to play for political reasons, for lack of money, because of domestic troubles, because of petty quarrels. A bunch of Nigerian best players were excluded from the national team by decision of the country’s President – the reason was failure to arrive at training camp. Then, in the last minute before the finals, they were forgiven and included hastily in the squad again. But eventually all finalists became clear at the second qualification round: Algeria without playing – Libya withdrew, Cameroon – Sudan 2-0 and 0-1, Malawi – Cote d’Ivoire 1-2 and 0-2, Nigeria – Sierra Leone 3-0 and 0-2, Senegal – Zaire 0-0 and 0-0, Zaire won 4-2 penalty shoot-out, Zimbabwe – Kenya 1-1 and 0-0, Kenya qualified on away-goal.
Cote d’Ivoire 3 0 3 0 2- 2 3
4.Zaire 3 0 2 1 2- 3 2
3.Egypt 3 1 1 1 3- 1 3
4.Kenya 3 0 1 2 0- 6 1
Nigeria and Algeria ended 1-1 in Rabat and Nigeria prevailed at the penalty shoot-out 9-8. Interestingly, they scored both goals in the game – one in their own net gave the lead to Algeria and only 4 minutes before the final whistle Maatar equalized.
In Casablanca the hosts lost to Cameroon – Makanaky scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute. One may easily imagine Moroccan disappointment. It was not the last either – in the match for the 3rd place Algeria managed 1-1 in regular time, although they equalized only 3 minutes before the end. Nader scored for Morocco in the 67th minute and before the end Belloumi equalized. Algeria prevailed in the penalty shoot-out 4-3.
Nigeria had a certain bite, but
always displayed relatively innocent approach – not clear and well followed tactics, often replacing it with individual improvisations. Yet, they scored a beautiful goal in the first half which was disallowed – if somebody was in offside at all, certainly he was not the scorer.
Cameroon was better organized, patient, and wise – it was not just that Cameroon had World Cup experience; rather that they had more European based professionals well adapted to tactical football.
Eventually, without dominating the game, they got what they wanted – a penalty was called in the 55th minute, Konde scored it, and Nigeria had no answer to that. At the final whistle it was still 1-0 Cameroon. In any case, African football was getting noticed at last – the final was televised in Europe and Italian broadcast can be seen today on Youtube. TV also showed lingering deficiencies – weird for the late 1980s, but Cameroon seemingly did not have enough shirts for everybody and substitute Abena had one with hastily improvised number on top of the originally made number.
This may be – or may be not – Nigeria 1988.
However, this is the Nigerian squad just before the beginning of the final. Strong performance, a team surely ascending, but still not a winner. There were players who became well known international stars in the 1990s – Rufai, Yekini, Keshi, Eboigbe – but at the moment the Nigerians were unknown. Combination of factors worked against them – first of all, they lacked European professional experience. Discipline was a problem – there was almost anecdotal accident, when Rufai and Keshi went to trials in England and hearing that they were threatened with punishment hastily returned to Lagos at the last moment. Rufai went directly to the camp and was fine. Keshi, however, went first to his home town to visit family and was late. Since government meddled in the affairs of the national team players were punished not by football authorities, but by the state itself – such interfearances, quite common in Africa to this very day, hardly helped making a strong and consistent squad. On the other hand players always acted frivolously – Keshi, always described as great patriot ready to sacrifice his own interest for the good of his country, still chose to visit home before reporting to training camp. Even when knowing very well that he will be punished for lateness. Yet, it was a team with talent.
Cameroon won its 2nd African title – of course, they were strong football country for a long time now, but the 1990s established them strongly outside their own continent. Like most African countries they used European coaches, but the work of Claude Le Roy somewhat easier because of great talent, which steadily was moving to play professionally in Europe. Roger Milla was aging and approaching a kind of retirement, but Bell, Tataw, Kunde were at their peaks and Kana-Biyik was rapidly rising start. If there was a thorn in this team – apart from the usual governmental meddling, broken promises and suddenly evaporating money – it was the long and bitter rivalry between the great goalkeepers Thomas N’Kono and Joseph-Antoine Bell. Unfortunately, of the same age, very different personalities and not friends – in their rivalry the whole bowl of African problems simmered for years: different ethnicity, different politics, pride, showmanship, everything. The men rarely clashed directly with each other – and had respect for the rival’s playing abilities – but coaches suffered criticism fueled by the keeper they ignored and groups of players supported either one of the other keeper not just because he happened to be in better form. So here was the 1988 chapter of the long epic: Bell was the regular, N’Kono not in the squad at all. Anyhow, everything ended well and Bell was the current hero at home.
Roger Milla, however, was becoming a national symbol – he did not score at the final, yet, he was brought down in the penalty area after which Cameroon scored. He managed two important goals earlier: the winning goal against Egypt and the equalized against Nigeria in the group stage. That is, all goals Cameroon scored in the group, practically giving vital 2 points to his team and thus qualifying it to the semifinals.
Ketashvili clears the ball. It was fairly equal match with Brzilians the more dangerous at first.
Of course, the Brazilians were more technical and the Soviets – rougher, but well organized. The world was getting used to someone called Romario.
1-0 Brazil in the 30th minute. Who scored it? Well, the new guy… what’s his name? The Soviet journalists were unable to get his name right even in their articles on the final – he was called in one and in the same piece Funes, Romario, and Romario Funes. A whole Brazilian line of strikers, three in one. Well, Romario was already the top scorer of the Olympics, but new boys are rarely called right.
The Soviets were far from beaten – in fact, they gradually got the upper hand, but still had to do defensive work and fret. Left to right – Viktor Lossev, Evgeny Kuznetzov, Vladimir Lyuty, Aleksey Mikhailichenko, Arminas Narbekovas, Gela Ketashvili.
Brazil tried to slow down the flow of the game, but the Soviets were pushing forward and eventually equalized. In the 61st minute Mikhailichenko scored the awarded penalty – it was not only the mysterious Funes-RomarioFunes-Romario making strong impression: between the goalposts was another new discovery, Taffarel. Perhaps the best player at the final. He saved a lot, but could not save the penalty. It was 1-1 at the 90th minute.
In the extra time younger Brazilians got tired and physically stronger Soviets eventually scored a second goal – Vladmir Lyuty here is just about to pass a header to Yury Savychev, who scored 2-1 in the 105th minute. The result stayed unchanged to the end, except both teams were left with 10 players after Tatarchuk was redcarded in the 110th minute and Ademir was expelled in the 118th minute. Another 5 players got only yellow cards during the final – the Soviets eventually complained from brutal Brazilian play, but they got more yellow cards.
Brazil finished with silver medals, once again unable to win the gold, but the team was more than promising – few players was seen as future big stars, Taffarel and Romario in particular. More importantly, this Brazil squad was a solid and well prepared team, something which was never the case with their Olympic selection.
USSR was more experienced and may be a bit better playing team than Brazil and they won the Olympic title. It was well deserved victory – USSR and Brazil were the best teams at the finals, it was not simply a matter of chance.
So, USSR won its 2nd Olympic title after a very long and sometimes frustrating wait. Sitting from left: G. Ketsahvilil, O. Cherednik, I. Sklyarov, A. Janonis, I. Dobrovolsky, Z. Ordzhonikidze – doctor, A. Narbekovas, V. Tatarchuk, Yu. Savichev, O. Prudnikov, V. Lossev. Top row: V. Miklyeav – press officer, D. Kharin, V. Tishtenko, E. Kuznetzov, I. Ponomarev, O. Borodyuk, O. Tukmanov – team chief, V. Salkov – assistant coach, V.Lyuty, A. Byshovetz – coach, S. Yarovenko, G. Gadzhiev – assistant coach, S. Fokin, O. Mikhailichenko, S. Gorlukovich.
The only surprise was the elimination of Yugoslvaia. Standing from left: Prosinecki, Lekovic, Asanovic, Lesjak, Vasilijevic, Jaksic. First row: Stevanovic, Mitrovic, Bogdanovic, Suker, Petric.
Zambia was the pleasant surprise in the group phase, but the road was blocked by Germans. This is the squad beating Italy 4-0.
West Germany took the bronze medals and perhaps that was a bit of consolation for Jurgen Klinsmann and Frank Mill after the European fiasco.
The new rules forced even the Eastern Europeans to change their ways – not able to field their first teams anymore, now they organized true Olympic teams, entirely different from their first selections. The new rules were still either unclear or left some gaps for beating them, for the Soviets listed a squad with plenty of players older than 23: originally, 12 of total 20. Only one of the team played at the European finals – Mikhailichenko. Two players apparently were added later and played as regulars – Losev and Gorlukovich. The Olympic team was coached by a rival of Lobanovsky – Byshovetz, a fellow Ukrainian, but hardly a great fan of Lobanovsky, so there may have been some frictions between the two regarding players – may be some were ignored for ‘belonging’ to the rival. This working both ways, for the Olympics were late this time – starting in September, when the qualifications for the 1990 World Cup started as well. In any case apart from Mikhailichenko nobody else was much needed by Lobanovsky at the moment, so it was a true Olympic team. The other finalists acted according to their own vision – Europeans and South Americans more or less made made young squads with an eye to the future: promising players who may make the national team in time, reinforced by some old guys. The West Germans, for example, included Frank Mill, who made the national team for years, but played rarely for it. Klinsmann was in the team too. Brazil included Bebeto and Romario from the young prospects. Italy preferred dependable second stringers, having no chance to play for the first team – the goalkeeper of Juventus Tacconi, for instance. Argentina chose players who did not make the national team. Countries from other continents played with what they had at hand, which was more leaning towards their first teams for Asians and Africans and unknown young players for USA and Australia. Yugoslavia was closer to the West European approach – second stringers, a star or two, hopeful youngsters.
The Irish were praised.
Jackie Charlton made a lot out of seemingly nothing, but his style was considered primitive – it was mostly the big hearts of the underdogs praised. In terms of tactics… it was a giant step back to the very outdated kick and run. However, this approach worked and Eire had a good chance even to reach the semi-finals.
Lobanovsky left mixed feelings – a great and well known coach, certainly, but may be blinded by his stubborn mentality. Placing Alleynikov in the center of his defense was a mistake – which Lobanovsky repeated a month after the European final in friendly at home against Finland. The match ended 0-0 – a friendly and also Olympics were coming, so it was hard to experiment, but why playing the same team in a mere friendly? Why not trying other players, why trying again Alleynikov in unfamiliar position? Stubborn…
Erwin Koeman watching Zavarov building an attack – fairly equal match, both teams dangerous and creative.
Alleynikov blocks Gullit’s attack – that was the tiny difference… Alleynikov tried hard, but Gullit was too much for him and with time – able to get away from Alleynikov.
And in the 34th minute Gullit scored with a header, which the Soviets thought came after offside. But there was no offside… Alleynikov was the last man, not van Basten. Tiny mistake, but fatal.
For the Soviets got a penalty in the 59th minute and Belanov missed. Or van Breukelen saved… In any case Belanov did not have a great tournament and even the way he took the penalty confirmed the critics were right: he kicked it differently than his usual approach and thus helped van Breukelen. It is easy to analyze penalties and blame players after the fact – the main point is that USSR lost its chance for come back and then even Lobanovsky lost his cool by fielding another defender. True, Holland was incredibly dangerous, but the result was 0-2 and there were 20 minutes to play – why not enforcing the attack? In the last ten minutes physical condition became crucially important and the Dutch appeared to be fresher and stronger than the Soviets. Holland won, USSR was worthy opponent, the final was great show, that was real football pleasing everyone. Even Lobanovsky, in his peculiar manner, acknowledged that – ‘I think the viewers were pleased with the final. We had more chances and entirely controlled the game in the second half, but in football who defends better and manage to use his scoring chances wins. I wanted my players to be very active and press the opponents from start in order to dominate with other kind of football, I think we managed to do that.’ Such words from Lobanovsky’s mouth were a major complement, even sounding like he was not going to put his team to the usual hell – he praised it after a lost match! Michels, however, differed – he claimed his team achieved dominance, enforcing his style with great focus and skill. The most important thing, according to him, was not to give even a minute to play free to a team like USSR, it would be lethal. Frankly, Michels gave more accurate explanation than Lobanovsky – Holland was slightly stronger. But the match was highly entertaining and that was perhaps most important: two great teams clashed and played their best.
USSR finished second. Strangely, a photo of the team playing the final is very difficult to find – even Soviet publications at the time printed another formation of earlier game. So did many other magazines in Europe. Thus, a picture of the squad from the final is a rarity. Standing from left: Dassaev, Khidiatullin, Alleynikov, Demianenko, Mikhailichenko. Crouching: Ratz, Belanov, Zavarov, Gotzmanov, Protassov, Litovchenko.
Holland was the new European champion and perhaps this team deserved most to win, but it was euphoric victory for many reasons. First of all, they eliminated West Germany which was a revenge for the lost final in 1974. Second, Holland finally washed away the stigma of losing finals. Third, they had again a great generation and team, after years of decline, and once again were leading the continental football. The days of the great total football were revamped. There was a direct link with the glorious past too: Rinus Michels and Arnold Muhren. There was also some irony in that – the legendary Ajax, built by Michels, achieved more success without him and in that team Arnold Muhren was mere reserve, rarely playing – now he was European champion, something none of his famous teammates achieved. There were some more elements speaking in favour of Holland’88 when compared to Holland’74 and ’88: a strong goalkeeper, first of all, and no problems in defense. Back in 1974 Michels had to improvise, but now he had good players at hand. There was more than enough talent, even spilling over the basic eleven – Wim Kift and John Bosman saw little action, for Marco van Basten was fantastic. Aron Winter had to wait for his hour in the future too. Versatility was also very helpful – both Rijkard and Ronald Koeman started as midfielders, but had no problem moving back to central defense . Or back to midfield, particularly Rijkard. Similarly, Gullit played midfield or striker, depending on the needs of the moment. It was a dream team and even the peculiarities of the Dutch Federation could not prevent it from winning – the old tradition with quickly replaced coaches was still intact: back in 1974 Michels was hired just for the World Cup finals, then it was the same in 1978 with Ernst Happel, and now was almost the same as before – Michels officially came to coach the team a few years earlier, but Leo Beenhacker coached the team most of the time until the finals came. And with the end of Euro’88 Michels was gone, just like in 1974 and 1978. And Johan Cruijff was nearby… as the likeliest replacement of Michels and once again he was not in the team. One rumor said that Michels himself blocked Cruijff’s appointment, fearing that his favourit pupil will outshine him. Anyhow, all that was in the backyard and what was in front was triumph and joy – and rightly so.
The Dutch won a big trophy at last.
And posed for the last photo as if to rub more salt to West German wounds – their photo with the European Cup is suspiciously similar to the photo of West Germany with the World Cup in 1974.
A battle of giants, one may thinks from a photo like this one, but it was mostly Holland. Germans scored first, though – from a penalty in the 55th minute. After that they moved back defending the result and wasting time as much as they could.
But there was a second penalty – this time against them and Ronald Koeman coolly equalized. Back in 1975 it was the opposite. The Dutch did not stop attacking, of course, and two minutes before the end of regular time the inevitable happened.
Kohler made a tiny mistake and van Basten made it 2-1 Holland. The reverse of 1974 was completed. Note that at Euro 1988 for the first time the rule for extending the game to compensate for lost time during the game was enforced: it was up to the referee to add minutes, not many, but some, so about 3 minutes were added – they were not enough to change anything. The mighty Germans lost at home. After the game Beckenbauer hinted his displeasure with the referee, but the fact was simple – his team was outplayed. In the Dutch camp the mood was more than triumphal – starting with Michels, the general was taking a revenge for 1974.
Franco Baresi is in control here and Gennady Litovchenko painfully watching, but in fact it was the other way around.
Italy was on the receiving end in both ways – went it came to rough defending.
And when it was a matter of dangerous attacks. The inevitable happened in two minutes – Litovchenko scored in the 60th minute and in the 62nd Protassov made it 2-0. The last Italian chance was in extra time , but it was only a matter of mercy. Ferri tried to score from a free kick, but it was no trouble for Dassaev and in any case it was all over. Their was massive praise for the Soviets after the game – ‘Bild’ called them ‘the caviar of football’. Even Lobanovsky was happy for a change and said he had no pretenses to any of his players for the first time at this tournament. He also added that if the result was against his team he would have been satisfied with his team after such great play, but that certainly was a lie. Vicini made the usual excuses – his team was too young and could not survive such terrific pressing for 90 minutes. Apollogies to the fans, but better next time.
Beckenbauer said that his players lost most one-on-one challenges, that was the biggest handicap, but he was sure he will correct that and will qualify the team to the 1990 World Cup finals.
Vicini said that his young players got important lesson and experience and will have great team for the 1990 World Cup, possibly greater than the World champions of 1982. As we know, it is easy to promise the future.
England 0, Republic of Ireland (misspelled!) 1. Jacky Charlton prevailed over his own countrymen at their own game, playing it better than they did, and became instant Irish hero. So far, there were hostile banners against him at Irish matches, but now it was all different.
Vagiz Khidiatullin tackles Marco van Basten, Anatoly Demyanenko close from behind to help. The first half team USSR survived the Dutch storm, Dassaev played one of his greatest games and the result was 0-0 – although it may have been 3-0 Holland. Perhaps that was crucial – the Dutch did not score.
In the second half the Soviets showed their own teeth and now the roles were slightly reversed – it was Ruud Gullit trying to clear away the ball from dangerous Oleg Protassov. The tired old wisdom ‘if you don’t score, the opponent will’ came true again: Ratz scored for USSR in the 54th minute. Now the Dutch were furious, but still unable to score – the ball bounced away from the goalpost once, Dassaev saved miraculously, the ball missed the net by a hair or was deflected just a tiny bit by a defender. However, the Soviets did not play only defense – they tried to attack at every opportunity and perhaps had a case for penalty not given to them. As a whole, they managed to keep the Dutch from scoring, but the game was highly entertaining and both teams played excellent football.
It was 1-0 Holland just before half time. In the 56th minute Robson equalized, but Marco van Basten kept scoring.
Van Basten celebrates a hattrick. England was out, once again failing at big finals.
Strangely, this photo somewhat shows the game best: modest Irish somewhat pushing forward and the Soviets backing up and keeping away from the ball.
To their own peril – in the 39th minute Ronnie Whelan scored beautiful goal and now looked like Eire was going to be the sensation of the finals, winning a second match. The Soviets played a rather formless and clueless game to the end, but since they had classy players managed to equalized in the 75th minute. The Irish controlled the match to the end, but there was old problem which a team with traditionally limited resources is never able to overcome: scoring troubles. Even scoring one goal was often a matter of good luck, but two… the match ended 1-1 and nobody was unhappy – both teams quite satisfied with the point.
The match just went as the picture shows – the Dutch domineered, but their great supremacy did not result in goals. Modest Irish mostly fought to prevent the Dutch from scoring, but used well their rare opportunities and came closer to scoring than their mighty opponent.
Then it was matter of resources… Michels increased the Dutch striking power in the second half by replacing Erwin Koeman and Muhren with Kift and Bosman. It worked – in the 82nd minute Kift kicked the ball and Bonner cracked – 1-0 Holland. After the game Michels said the goal was lucky. Jack Charlton shared the same opinion, but from the losing end.
Igor Belanov – here watching Kenny Samson getting the ball – was not the fast and dangerous torpedo, but it was attributed to a new role in midfield. Yet, the Soviets were very much together, perfectly organized and attack-oriented.
They got the upper hand and it was clear England was not going to win. At the end, it was 3-1 for USSR.
More or less, defense prevailed and won. Hard battle and no fun. By now hardly anybody expected great show from opening games, yet in the same time everybody wished exactly a great show.
Italy eventually opened the scores – after enormous double mistake, starting with Matthaus and ending with Herget, Mancini scored. Beckenbauer was furious after the match, blaming mostly Herget, and was right: the defender was not some green youngster, but veteran both in age and national team experience. But not only those two were to blame – as a whole, rather mysterious Italian team (at the time) was the stronger and better on the field. However, the referee stood against them – and it was not just Italian opinion. At the time the rules stipulated that a goalkeeper could make no more than 4 steps with ball in his hand. Zenga made more than four and the referee blew his whistle, giving the well forgotten nowadays ‘indirect kick’ inside the penalty area. All by the rules, but for years referees put a blind eye to this rule, recognizing its stupidity. Not just the Italians saw the referee as a more than pedant, but rather as maliciously biased against Italy. ‘Scandalous’ refereeing – that was the opinion of the British press too. However, the referee was formally right. Since one cannot score directly from such a kick, traditionally defending teams built huge walls, sometimes behind their goalie, if there was not enough space in front of him, to prevent quick short pass to staying near by teammate who could now kick the ball directly in the net. Italy made exactly that, but for some reason the wall fell apart in the last moment, yet, preventing Zenga to see where the ball was going and Germany equalized. Both goals were scored early in the second half, nothing else happened to the end, and the match ended 1-1, only to create a mountain of critical articles the next day.
Spain was visibly stronger and with time – Denmark seemingly tired and not up to the task.
It was not exactly huge Spanish dominance, but when it came to scoring Butrageno was the man. Denmark trailed behind, but they were able to respond twice with equalizers. However, Butrageno’s goal was crucial – it was the second Spanish goal and there was strong feeling for offside. After the match the Danes complained and the Spanish did not exactly objected the protest. But no matter the result, no matter what was said by coaches, the writing was on the wall: Denmark was in decline. Sepp Piontek, who shortly before the finals extended his contract to 1990 now said he was going to resign at the end of the finals.
Yet, killing the dead dog was not great – it was rather rough battle, the kind of football Germans usually win.
You fight, you win. But this time the Germans looked better. Beckenbauer made no bones about the victory – he was brief, saying that there was nos secret the whole idea was winning and the next game was more important. The he rushed to the waiting helicopter not to miss Italy-Spain. Morten Olsen, Soren Lerby and Preben Elkjaer-Larsen were resigned – they honestly said they were not the same players, it was not the same team as four years back, it was the end of their era. Almost nobody noticed that Peter Schmeichel played for Denmark in this game – and not because he was a flop, but because the team was dead.
The result was particularly unattractive match, played largely in the middle of the field. For a long time it looked like anti-football would win and Spain would extract vital point.
It is enormously hard to beat the Italians by their own kind of football – it took just the minimal mistake and disorientation from the Spanish defense and Vialli scored. One can blame Zubizaretta, who could have reacted better, but it is fruitless – Italians are masters of taking advantage from practically nothing. Go and try scoring after Italy gets the lead… After the game Munoz made his second surprise, stating that his initial tactics were not defensive, but Italy pushed his team into that. A laughable statemen, unless he was kidding himself. Briegel pontificated that Italy is the best team at this finals. Beckenbauer, always the diplomat, said the match was on high level and Italy was world class. But he was not going to change his tactics and will play against Spain the same way his team played against Denmark, aiming at a win. In translation… Spain was beatable, but mostly by fighting.
Young Klinsmann was making his name, troubling Zubizarreta.
Rudi Voeller had wonderful match this time – or at last, for he was one of the most criticized German players so far. Finally he played as it was expected from him and scored both German goals. Matthaus also played strong game at last. Spain had no answer. This time the German press liked what they so – and the Kaiser was again the Kaiser: ‘Franz, this was your best match’, wrote a Frankfurt newspaper.
Altobelli scored the first in the 66th minute.
Vialli – or De Agostini? – made it 2-0 in the 87th minute. Schmeichel was not yet the superstar we know today.