FRANCE 98 – Spain 1982

No nation has ever had so much time to prepare a World Cup tournament. FIFA appointed Spain as the host nation to the 12th World Cup as early as 1964, leaving the Spanish Organising Committee 18 years to get ready for the 1982 finals, which would play host to 24 teams rather than 16, as had been the case previously.

Under the new rules, thirteen teams qualified from Europe, three from South America, two from Africa, two from Asia/Oceania, two from CONCACAF (Central and North America), and the list was completed by Spain the host nation and Argentina the World Cup holder. Certain alterations were also made in how the tournament was organised, the new format incorporating three distinct phases: a first round with 6 groups of 4 teams from which the top two teams qualified for the second round; a second round with 4 groups of 3 teams from which the top team qualified from each group; and finally the semi-finals and the Final.

Although twenty four teams now qualified for the finals, the Netherlands, runner-up in ’74 and ’78, was not among them—the Dutch having been knocked out in the qualifiers by an impressive French side coached by Michel Hidalgo, which, in turn, only qualified for the second round under duress.

The same first round difficulties were encountered by two other tournament favourites: the West Germans—beaten 2-1 by Algeria—sneaked into the second round following an “arranged” victory over their Austrian neighbours; and the Italians only made it past Cameroon on goal difference.

Suspense at Seville

But after shaky starts, France, Germany and Italy really came into their own, winning all their second round matches, while England and Brazil foundered—the latter knocked out by the Italians in a stupendous game.

In the first semi-final, the Italians (thanks to 2 goals by a revitalised Paolo Rossi), proved too strong for Poland in a one-sided game. The other semi-final, however, on 8 July 1982 in Seville, was a completely different story. This fabulously dramatic but ultimately cruel game has become one of the most talked-about encounters of all time. And one which will be eternally regretted by the French. The Germans took the lead through Littbarski, before Platini brought France level with a penalty. In extra-time the Blues led 3 -1 but Germany fought back to equalise and then won the game on a penalty shoot-out.

The multi-talented Squadra Azzurra easily beat Germany in the Final (3-1), helped by another goal from their inspiration, Paolo Rossi. Dino Zoff, the forty-year-old Italian captain, was presented with the World Cup trophy by the King of Spain, Juan Carlos. And so Italy became, after Brazil, the second country to win three World Cups.

Marius TRESOR: the disappointed hero

Who will ever forget it? Seville, 8 July 1992. Germany and France are tied 1-1 in extra-time when Marius Tresor, unmarked on the German penalty spot, swivelled and volleyed home a stupendous goal just inside the upright, leaving Harold Schumacher helpless. The French led 2-1 and then 3-1 thanks to a goal by Alain Giresse. They were only 20 minutes from the World Cup Final. But, as we now know, it wasn’t to be. “I scored 4 goals for France in my international career” says Trésor, “and even though this is the one everyone remembers, it’s not my personal favourite. I prefer the goal I scored at the Maracana stadium against Brazil.

As for Seville, I have mixed feelings when I look back. On the one hand satisfaction at having reached the semis, but also enormous regret. It was the greatest disappointment of my career. It was us that should’ve been in the Final… At the outset I never imagined we’d get as far as we did. But then again the players knew one another very well having played together, for the most part, in the 1978 World Cup. After we were beaten by England (3-1) we reacted as a team. Everyone agreed we couldn’t play that badly again. And so with each new game we played that much better.” Until…