The countdown is getting ever closer to that first kick-off between the hosts and Mexico, which will open up the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. For the first time, Africa will stage the world’s biggest show and over four weeks and sixty-four matches, we really will find out who is the best in the world.
It also gives me the opportunity to lookback at some classic FIFA World Cup moments from down the years, a mixture of romance, drama, controversy, disgusting foul play, heartbreak and joy. Every picture, every match tells its different type of story. In this five-part series, I will be looking back at my top 50 FIFA World Cup memories, starting, ranging from 1958 to the most recent tournament in Germany four years ago. These are in no particular order. Here are the first ten:
Mexico 1970: The Great Brazilian Line-Up
Over the years, Brazil has produced some amazing teams and some of the best talent to grace the game, such as Ronaldo, Socrates, Zico and Romario. However, nothing comes close to the 1970 team, which turned up and outclassed everyone in the scorching heat of Mexico. Many class it to be the best attacking line-up in history, featuring the likes of Carlos Alberto, Rivelino, Jarirzinho and of course, Pele, in his fourth and final World Cup. In the final, Italy were no match for them, overpowered 4-1, with Alberto scoring of the greatest goals in World Cup history. It was their third World Cup in twelve years and therefore, they were able to keep the original Jules Rimet trophy. This was a fitting reward for an outstanding unit.
Spain 1982: Algeria Become Victims of German/Austrian Alliance
The opening day of the 1982 World Cup finals saw one of the greatest upsets in the competition’s history, as unknown Africans Algeria defeated the mighty West Germany 2-1. This meant that the European champions were in grave danger of being eliminated in the group stages, and met an Austria side in their final group game, knowing a draw would eliminate them. With Algeria having played Chile the day before, they could only be knocked-out if West Germany won by 1 or 2 goals. Sure enough, after ten minutes, West Germany scored through Hrubesch. For the remaining 80 minutes, the two teams put on a demonstration of ‘let’s kick the ball aimlessly around.’ It finished 1-0 and both teams qualified, much to the disgust of the Spanish supporters and the Algerians, who protested against the result. FIFA rejected the claim, but insisted afterwards that all final group games would have to be played simultaneously, to avoid this shambles happening again.
USA 1994: Leonardo’s Loss of Temper
18 minutes into a rather insipid second round contest had taken place between Brazil and the United States, when AC Milan left-back Leonardo produced a dangerous piece of horrific foul play. The normal charming Brazilian got frustrated when the experienced Tab Ramos pulled his shirt on the touchline. Consequently, he threw out a vicious elbow, which fractured Ramos’s skull, forcing him to spend the next three months in hospital. Leonardo was sent off and though apologised to Ramos afterwards for not intentionally going out to hurt him, his character definitely took a stain from this moment of madness.
Germany 2006: Italy’s Semi-Final Stunner
The hosts were on a crest of a wave, when they encountered Italy in a absorbing semi-final contest in Dortmund. End-of-end action was guaranteed and that’s what happened, with the game flowing one way, then the other. Sadly, no goals came, until the 118th minute, when Palermo left-back Fabio Grosso unleashed a stunning strike from the edge of the box, which Jens Lehmann had no chance of saving. It was a heartbreaker for Jurgen Klinsmann and the German team, who won many admirers, particularly for their quarter-final elimination of Argentina the previous week. Moments later, Italy broke away again, with Alessandro Del Piero lashing home a second. Italy’s stunning late show was taking them to Berlin, leaving German fans distraught at having come so close, yet so far.
South Korea 2002: Senegal Send Shockwaves across the Globe
The opening match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup was expected to be a cruise for the reigning World and European champions, France. Against unfancied Africans Senegal, Roger Lemerre’s superstars were expected to have no dramas, despite the absence of Zinedine Zidane through injury. However, the unpredictable element for football reared its head again, as the debutants made their name in Seoul. El-Hadji Diouf caused problems all day and his teasing cross after half an hour, set-up chaos in the Les Bleus backline. Papa Boupa Diop capitalised, stroking home the only goal. Cue celebrations in Dhaka as Senegal send shockwaves across the globe. For France, it was the start of a tournament to forget.
France 1998: Michael Owen Comes Of Age
At 18 years of age, Michael Owen had already made a name of himself in the FA Carling Premiership, ending joint top goalscorer in the 1997/98 season for Liverpool. His impact in the World Cup finals in France was even more dramatic. He came off the bench and scored in England’s group defeat against Romania in Toulouse. However, it was Argentina who felt the full force of Owen, as he came of age in St. Etienne, scoring one of the greatest ever goals in World Cup history. With the score at 1-1 in the 15th minute, he collected a through ball from David Beckham, shook off Chamot, ghosted past Roberto Ayala, then coolly finished past the advancing Carlos Roa. It was a moment of magic; a star was well and truly born.
Argentina 1978: Clive Thomas Takes Centre Stage
English referees have never had a great deal of luck at the major tournaments, normally embroiled in the centre of controversy. This was the case in 1978, when a group game against Brazil and Sweden saw Clive Thomas take centre stage. In the dying stages, with the game tied at 1-1, Brazil had a corner, which Zico headed into the back of the net. However, Thomas blew the whistle when the ball was being kicked into the area, to the consultation of the Brazilian players. Had the goal stood, Brazil would have won 2-1, but it finished 1-1 and that meant Austria topped the group. Brazil’s adventure ended in the quarter-finals and was left to reflect on what might have been.
Italy 1990: The Republic of Ireland’s Great Adventure
Big Jack Charlton had steered the Republic of Ireland through to their first World Cup adventure and they gave themselves a historic story throughout in Italia 90. Creditable draws with England and Holland in the group stages meant that they advanced to the second round, and a nervy contest in Genoa against Romania. After two hours of uninspiring football, the game would be decided on penalties. Pat Bonner saved the fifth Romanian penalty and Arsenal’s David O’Leary kept his nerve to steer Ireland home to a 5-4 penalty success. Despite not winning a game up to this point, Ireland had earned themselves a date in Rome in the quarter-finals. They were to be undone by the hosts in the last eight, overcome by a 1-0 defeat, through a Schillaci strike. Nevertheless, they returned home to Dublin as national treasures.
Mexico 1986: Manuel Negrete Sets the Azteca Alive
One of my all-time favourite goals ever was scored by Manuel Negrete in the 1986 World Cup. With Colombia failing to meet FIFA standard, Mexico was asked to step in and host the finals for the second time in sixteen years and it put on a carnival of a tournament. Against Bulgaria in Round two, Sporting Lisbon star Negrete controlled a high ball superbly, linked up with Javier Aguirre and with the ball still in the air, produced an amazing scissor kick from the inside of the penalty area into the bottom corner of Borislav Mikhailov’s net. It was simply magnificent; Mexico won 2-0 as Negrete set the Azteca Stadium alight.
USA 1994: The Divine Ponytail Blows It on the Big Stage
Many believe that Italy had been very lucky to reach the 1994 World Cup Final and it was largely down to their ‘Divine Ponytail’ star, Roberto Baggio. The Juventus talisman had scored key goals in the knockout stage against Nigeria, Spain and Bulgaria, to take Arrigo Sacchi’s men to the final against Brazil, in the heat of the Pasadena Rose Bowl. After quite probably the dullest final on record, stalemate at 0-0 left this to be the first World Cup final to be decided on penalties. With Brazil 3-2 up, the saviour of Italy, who had limped through the game with a hamstring injury, had to score to keep the shootout alive. Baggio sent Taffarel the wrong way, but blew his penalty high into the stand and Brazil had their fourth World Cup.
Part 2 Next Week!
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