World Cups remembered: Spain 1982
Thursday 7 June 2018 10:23, UK
England were back and Brazil sparkled but it was Italy who emerged triumphant thanks to a reborn Paolo Rossi.
England return, Brazil star but Rossi and Italy win
England missed out on the 1978 World Cup, and it took just 27 seconds for Ron Greenwood's men to make their mark on their return to the big stage.
A quick throw-in from Steve Coppell, a flick on by Terry Butcher and there was Bryan Robson at the far post to hook the ball home against France.
The French equalised in the 24th minute but Robson headed home a superb second and Paul Mariner wrapped it up with a third. Magnificent. What a start.
But that was to be the high for England.
Uninspired 1-0 wins over Czechoslovakia and Kuwait followed and the lack of goals was again apparent as England drew 0-0 with West Germany in the first game of the three-team second group phase.
It meant Greenwood's side needed a 2-0 win over hosts Spain to reach the last four - surely an impossible ask now the goals had dried up.
However, England had a trump card, make that two trump cards, up their sleeve - the deadly double act of Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking.
The star pair had been injured for the early part of the tournament but it was now or never and Greenwood put them on the bench for the showdown with Spain.
With the nation roaring at Greenwood through their televisions to bring them on, the England boss finally relented with 20 minutes left. Brooking picked up the pace from the start but a pumped-up Keegan looked far too anxious.
He had a golden chance to give England hope but somehow headed an absolute sitter wide of the post. And then it was all over.
Greatest
What a team Brazil were. Zico, Socrates, Junior, Falcao and best of all, by a million miles, Eder!
Watching Brazil was sheer bliss and surely this team were destined to go down as one of the greatest in history as they headed into the game with Italy needing just a draw to reach the semi-finals.
Playing what Dave Bassett might call "too much fanny dangle" at the back, Brazil defended like idiots and allowed Paolo Rossi to fire home a hat-trick and dump them out.
Rossi had previously been banned for his part in a match-fixing scandal and had looked poor in the opening games of Spain '82, but suddenly he came over all ruthless.
Italy tonked West Germany 3-1 in the final - Marco Tardelli's passionate celebration of the second goal reminding us of how great football is for stirring the emotions and, of course, it also meant a loser's medal for villain of the piece, Harald Schumacher.
The German goalkeeper wasn't even booked for his assault on Patrick Battiston.
The World Cup '82 will also be remembered for Northern Ireland. Although 17-year-old Norman Whiteside was the centre of attention, Billy Hamilton and Gerry Armstrong became favourites with their buccaneering runs and the two combined to score that memorable winner against hosts Spain.
As for Scotland, fans were again I was left with a real sense of disappointment. Despite taking the lead against Brazil and beating New Zealand, Alan Hansen and Willie Miller ran into each other near the touchline, Russia broke away and scored and the Tartan Army's trip to sunny Spain was all over.
Player of the tournament: Eder
It's obvious to pick Rossi, whose six goals in the last three games drove Italy to World Cup glory, but the real star has to be the brilliant Brazilian Eder.
Despite bearing a passing resemblance to Barry Manilow, Eder was one of the most skill full players, a real old school Brazilian. His left foot could be lethal, thumping a glorious goal against Russia and almost breaking the crossbar against Argentina. Or it could be like velvet, caressing the ball over Alan Rough in the 4-1 rout of Scotland.
Zico and Socrates also took the eye in 1982 but sullied their reputations four years later in Mexico. Eder had vanished by then, leaving us all to wonder just what magic he could have conjured if Brazil had gone all the way to the 1982 final.
Goal of the tournament: Eder v Scotland
It has to be Eder and that fantastic goal against Scotland. Incredibly, the Scots had gone in front with a great strike by David Narey but the goal merely stirred Brazil into action. Zico equalised, the lumbering Serginho made it 2-1 and the game was up.
But if ever a moment emphasised the gulf in class, it came in the 63rd minute. Although Alan Rough served the popular myth at the time that all Scottish goalkeepers were rubbish, not even Gordon Banks, Lev Yashin and Peter Shilton all rolled into one could have done anything about Eder's exquisite strike. Running onto a pass, Eder, not breaking stride, feathered the ball over Alan Rough and into the net with the most gentle ripple.
Match of the tournament: Italy 3, Brazil 2
No guesses here - Italy 3 Brazil 2. After beating old rivals Argentina 3-1, Brazil needed only a draw against the so far unimpressive Italians to reach the semi-finals. In hindsight, that scenario probably didn't suit them. Although Italy took an early lead Brazil were soon back on level terms as a wonderful turn by Zico set up Socrates to slot past Zoff at his near post.
But the alarm bells rang louder when careless defending allowed Rossi to race away and put Italy back in front. The Italians held out until half-time and as the second 45 ticked away, Brazil's plight was becoming desperate. But with time running out, Falcao cut inside and hammered a left-foot shot past Zoff. His screaming face and bulging veins left one of the most lasting images of the tournament.
The goal deserved to be the crucial moment but Rossi had other ideas and punished more slack defensive work by firing in his hat-trick moments later. Zoff made one last-gasp save on his goal-line and amazingly, Italy had pulled off what no-one thought possible.
Home nations
England came second in a testing qualifying Group 4 that included Romania and eventual table-toppers Hungary. England's victory over Hungary in their final outing proved vital in sealing the runners-up berth.
They went on to top Group 4 in Spain after beginning with an opening win over France. A double from Bryan Robson and a strike from Paul Mariner downed Les Bleus. Victory over Czechoslovakia and Kuwait wrapped up first place.
But in the second round, when a second group stage was played out, things went pear-shaped for England. A 0-0 draw with West Germany was followed by the same scoreline against Spain, confirming England's exit.
Northern Ireland emerged as runners-up in qualifying Group 6. They finished above Sweden, Portugal and Israel. The Northern Irish started their campaign with a 0-0 draw versus Yugoslavia before again being held, this time versus Honduras after Gerry Armstrong had handed them the lead.
They then rocked Spain via a 1-0 triumph, again Armstrong was on target, to ensure they claimed top spot and advanced to the second group stage.
But from there they struggled, first drawing 2-2 against Austria and then being dumped out by France, who were 4-1 victors.
Scotland booked their place at Spain 1982 after they finished top of qualifying Group 6 ahead of Northern Ireland. Things started promisingly for the Scots when they put five past New Zealand but that result was followed by a 4-1 loss versus the brilliant Brazilians.
Scotland crashed out after snatching a 2-2 draw against USSR, who advanced at their expense due to their better goal difference.
Wales came so close to booking their place at the 1982 World Cup finals but ultimately fell short by virtue of goal difference, as Czechoslovakia progressed at their expense.
