¼ finals.
30.06.90 (17.00) Florence, Stadio Communale
ARG – JUG 0:0 (0:0, 0:0, 0:0) p 3-2
(-39000) Röthlisberger SUI, Hansal ALG, Jonini TUN
ARG: Goycoechea – Ruggeri, Simon, Olarticoechea (51 Troglio),
Serrizuela – Giusti, Burruchaga, Basualdo, Calderón (89 Dezotti) –
Caniggia, Maradona (c)
JUG: Ivković – Spasić, Hadžibegić, Jozić, Vulić – Šabanadžović,
D.Brnović, Sušić (60 Savićević), Stojković – Prosinečki, Vujović (c)
Penalties: 1:0 Serrizuela, (1:0) Stojković, 2:0 Burruchaga, 2:1 Prosinečki,
(2:1) Maradona (save Ivković), 2:2 Savicević, (2:2) Troglio (out), (2:2)
D.Brnović (save Goychoecea), 3:2 Desotti, (3:2) Hadžibegić (save Goychoecea)
booked: Serrizuela, Olartichoecea, Simon / Šabadžanović
sent off: Šabadzanović (31)
Bitter sweet case, Yugoslavia. Elimination by penalty shootout is something to lament, but not not really to feel disappointment. Speculative mythology builds on such moments: ‘if we had won, sky was the limit’. Perhaps. ‘If we had won, Yugoslavia would be here now – football would have saved it from disintegration and civil wars’. Highly unlikely. Reality: Yugoslavia did well and with bit of luck may have had do better. But the team was not exceptional – it was at par with the rest, no more. At least, nothing to be ashamed of.
30.06.90 (21.00) Roma, Stadio Olimpico
ITA – IRL 1:0 (1:0)
(+73000) Valente POR, Ulloa COS, Pérez COL
ITA: Zenga – F.Baresi, Bergomi (c), de Agostini, Ferri – Maldini, Donadoni,
de Napoli, Giannini (64 Ancelotti) – R.Baggio (72 Serena), Schillaci
IRL: Bonner – Morris, Staunton, McCarthy, Moran – McGrath, Houghton,
Townsend, Aldridge (78 Sheridan) – Sheedy, Quinn (54 Cascarino)
1:0 Schillaci 38
booked: de Agostini / Moran
The Irish did much better than anybody expected. Predictable performance – big hearts, excellent fighters, well motivated – which paid off to the delight of every Irish in the world and those cherishing underdogs, instant heroes, especially considering their limited skills and resources. Jack Charlton summed it all: ‘now I can sit and enjoy a beer with the boys’. Well deserved beer for all.
01.07.90 (17.00) Milano, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro)
GER – CZE 1:0 (1:0)
(+73000) Kohl AUT, Listkiewicz POL, Mikkelsen DAN
GER: Illgner – Brehme, Kohler, Augenthaler, Buchwald – Berthold, Littbarski,
Bein (84 Möller), Matthäus (c) – Klinsmann, Riedle
CZE: Stejskal – Kadlec, Kocian, Chovanec, Hašek (c) – Bilek (70 Nemeček),
Kubik (81 Griga), Moravčik, Straka – Skuhravý, Knofliček
1:0 Matthäus 24 p
booked: Klinsmann / Bilek, Straka, Knofliček
sent off: Moravčik (70)
Czechoslovakia fought well, holding its ground to the end. Nothing to be ashamed of, nothing excellent either. The players knew very well that good World Cup was going to give them good contracts with western professional clubs and did not miss the opportunity.
01.07.90 (21.00) Napoli, Stadio San Paolo
ENG – CAM 3:2 (1:0, 2:2, 3:2)
(+55000) Codesal MEX, Mandi BHR, Mauro USA
ENG: Shilton (c) – Pearce, Walker, Butcher (74 Steven), Parker – Wright, Waddle,
Platt, Gascoigne – Lineker, Barnes (46 Beardsley)
CAM: N’Kono – Ebwelle, Massing, Kunde, Tataw (c) – Pagal, Libiih, M’Fede
(63 Ekéké), Maboang (46 Milla) – Makanaky, Omam-Biyik
1:0 Platt 25 h, 1:1 Kunde 63 p, 1:2 Ekéké 65, 2:2 Lineker 83 p, 3:2 Lineker
105 p
booked: Pearce / Massing, Milla, N’Kono
Cameroon excelled and perhaps with just a bit of luck would have reached semi-finals. They were equal to the leading teams of the world – African football was no longer a joke, nor even ‘developing’: it was equal. With a little twist… a rather as comment on the state of game in 1990: a retired 38 years old player came to the World Cup and was one of the best on the field. Not even Maradona shined in 1990 as Milla shined. Wonderful in itself. Cameroon also played very well as a team and achieving equality with the leading countries, Camerron achieved it in full: they were the second most brutal team in the finals. Equality also meant ugliness, that was the sad reality.