The semi-finals. Analyzes and speculations were in abundance, but it is always before the next round. It was victory of artistic football so far and that fueled discussions. The pressure was on the French – they were favourites before the finals started, but now the French press and public demanded victory. Portugal was perhaps underestimated, especially by the French press – it was considered that the team gave its best already.
France – Portugal. Cabrita promised a show and a great show it was. France came with 4-4-2 – Le Roux was back in defense. Rocheteau was out, Lacombe was in again, paired with Six. There was no solution for the problems in the attacking line. Cabrita responded also with 4-4-2, but his approach was more devilish: once again Fernando Gomes was a reserve. The great goalscorer was a starter only against Romania and it was hard to guess why: it could have been tactical decision.
The match was highly entertaining from start, despite the hot weather. France scored first, from a free kick in the 25th minute. May have been a slight mistake by Bento, but it was surprising kick – instead of Platini, Giresse, or Tigana, all of them near the ball, clearly giving the impression that one of them will strike, it was Domergue, coming from nowhere. It was vicious kick and on target. However, after the goal France gave the impression that would play with economy to the end, largely keeping its advantage, depending on its great midfield. Portugal had very different idea – Gomes started the second half and soon Nene came out too. Chalana played fantastic game and 16 minutes before the end of the match Jordao equalized. Extra time. France went into full attack and was penalized – once again Jordao scored after a great pass by Chalana, in the 98th minute. The mood darkened… the specter of the 1982 World Cup came back: France crumbled under pressure. But no – it was different France now. And equalizer was scored – once again by Domergue, in the 115th minute.
Four minutes later Platini scored and it was 3-2 France. Later he wrote that France was finally freed of the image of lovely losers. There was no time left and France reached the final to the delight of not just the French. It was the most deserving team, no matter how good Portugal was. Beaming Hidalgo said ‘We came back from hell in the last moment. I am proud of my players.’ Cabrita was not unhappy either : ‘I am proud to be in charge of such a team. Everything was possible in the last minutes, it happened to be not in our favour.’ It was wonderful semi-final and a great drama – everything a football fan hopes for.
Spain – Denmark. The atmosphere before the game was very different than the one surrounding France and Portugal – the Spanish camp was reclusive and silent. At the official and unavoidable press-conference the team countered all questions about the match with Denmark with single unanimous answer ‘The coach will think of something’. Since there was no divining what Miguel Munoz would be cooking, the press concentrated on speculations on what was known: tensions between different groups in the Spanish squad. Menotti, who along with other celebrities – Pele, Di Stefano, Masopust – attended the finals and was frequently interviewed, added duel to this topic. Danish camp the opposite – it was open to whoever wants to come and chat and the attitudes were scandalously relaxed: journalists found players lounging around with beers in their hands. Piontek, known as disciplinarian, seemingly did not care – he allowed free night after the team qualified and when nobody came home at the prescribed time, 5 am, simply moved lunch to 5 pm. Piontek did not hide anything – he stated that his team is best attacking and he was not going to change tactics, although his concept was prepared for beating West Germany. Spain he knew less, for he did not expect them to qualify. The whole approach was quite suspect, but Danish press was tolerant on one hand and on the other – international press was not critical, because Denmark was the surprising underdog, which already reached its peak.
The match started more or less as expected: Denmark went into attack, Spain deflected the initial assault, equalized the game and also went ahead. It was entertaining match, but different than the other semi-final: great football, but rougher. Yet, Denmark scored early, in the 6th minute, and that was perhaps the crucial moment: how will Spain react? Traditionally, Spain reacted by replacing football with fighting – but not this time. Tackles were rough, no doubt – so Elkjaer-Larsen ended the match with ripped shorts – but Spain did not forget to play football. There was panic and, most importantly, whatever bad blood existed between players, it did not show on the pitch. The second half almost repeated the first – Denmark stormed at first, Spain coolly fought back until equalizing the game and going into attack, which eventually produced a goal in the 67th minute – scored by the hero of the match against West Germany Maceda.
This was not to Danish liking and the response was a bit surprising – they became rougher. The match ended with 7 cards – one red, Bergreen – but never deteriorated to just ugly fighting. Those, who compared Denmark to great Ajax were right: it was the closest team ever to replicate the original inventors of total football – Ajax played great football, but never shied away from brutal tackles, if the opposition played rough or there was no other way to prevail. Ajax was wonderful, but never sentimental – Denmark was the same. The show was good, though, and fans were treated to the full drama of football – 1-1 after overtime. Penalty shoot-out. Here Elkjaer-Larsen missed, Sarabia scored and Spain won 5-4. Since Elkjaer-Larsen delivered particularly sloppy shot in the high air far away from the net, a lot was made of his kick – but there is little to blame him for: few observers paid attention on the ‘detail’: so far, all Danish penalties were kicked to the left of Arconada. It was a fair guessing that the goalkeeper would expect another one there, so the striker kicked it to the other side. Missed badly, but his guess was right. Anyhow, he was not blamed in Denmark – over there everybody was happy with the team and the achievement. Never before Denmark went that high and on top of that played excellent football.
The mood after the semi-finals was great – both matches were highly entertaining, all teams played very attractive football, there was no sour feelings from any side – the losers were happy, the winners – worthy.