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. Coming up is Part three, and in the no particular order. Here are the next ten memories:
France 1998: England’s Exit Results On a Nation Turning On Beckham
At 2-2 in a tense and exciting World Cup second round match between Argentina and England, a moment of madness from David Beckham ruins the chances of Glenn Hoddle’s Three Lions reached the quarter-finals. Around four minutes into the second half, Diego Simeone pushes Beckham in the back, giving away a free-kick in the process. What happened next was petulant, as Beckham flicked a boot at Simeone’s thigh, the Argentine doing no favours by producing a dramatic reaction. However, it was right under the nose of Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen, who promptly sent Beckham off. England were knocked out again on penalties, and the next few months would turn out to be very difficult for Beckham, as we, as a nation, turned on him and blamed him fully for England’s exit in France 98.
Mexico 1970: Bonetti’s Blunder Blows England’s Chances
Another hard luck story for England at the World Cup was during the finals in scorching Mexico. Our boys touched down for the 1970 finals as defending champions, and despite being bravely beaten by a far superior Brazil in the group stages, Alf Ramsay’s men were confident of holding onto the Jules Rimet trophy. In the quarter-finals, there was a showdown with our bitter enemies from West Germany. 2-0 up at half-time, England was coasting, before Chelsea reserve goalkeeper Peter Bonetti, deputising for the ill Gordon Banks, let Franz Beckenbauer’s tame effort squirm through his body. It was a calamitous moment, and from then on, England collapsed. Gerd Muller scored the winning goal in extra-time, as West Germany got their revenge for being beaten in the final four years ago. Thanks to Bonetti’s blunder, England’s world champion’s reign had come to a sticky end.
Spain 1982: Justice is Served & Tardelli Becomes a Folk Hero
The 1982 World Cup final in Madrid, saw Italy come up against West Germany. West Germany and particularly, Harold Schumacher were villains of the World Cup that year, following the clear fix against Austria in the group stages, and that bruising crunch on Patrick Battiston during the World Cup semi-final in Seville. Italy went onto win the final 3-1, their third World triumph, their first since World War II. Justice had been served and the moment of that game which stands out, was Italy’s second goal, which was scored by Marco Tardelli and his emotional celebration afterwards, which made him a true folk hero.
USA 1994: Maradona Sent Home In Disgrace
By USA 1994, Argentina were still heavily dependent on the performances of an ageing Diego Maradona, in their quest for success. Having been banned in 1991 for twelve months, testing positive for drugs whilst playing in Serie A with Napoli, there was major pressure on him to clear up the tarnished image he had received. In Argentina’s opening match, a 4-0 drubbing of Greece in Detroit, Maradona scored a wonderful goal on the stroke of half-time, reminding us of his fantastic genius. He then went to the US cameras, producing one of the most memorable and wackiest celebrations of all time. After the South Americans second match, a narrow win against Nigeria, Maradona was randomly chosen for a drugs test. He failed it and was banned for eighteen months, sent home in disgrace. He could only watch on in tears, as Argentina limped out of the competition in the last 16, 3-2 against unfancied Balkan outfit, Romania. This was a sorry way for one of the World’s best to finish his playing career. See you as manager in South Africa then Diego!
Japan/Korea 2002: France, Argentina & Portugal All Bite The Dust
The group stages of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in the Far East saw many of the world superpowers humiliated on the premier stage. World and European champions France limped out of the competition, with one point and no goals in Group A. Pre-tournament favourites Argentina lost to England in Sapporo in Group F and then were held by Sweden in their decider, which took the Swedes through and sent the South Americans packing before the knockout stages for the first time ever. Italy only just managed to scrape through Group G, needing a critical leveller from the inconsistent Alessandro Del Piero to rescue a draw against Mexico and Portugal, highly-rated with stars such as Luis Figo lost their temper, their discipline and were eliminated by co-hosts South Korea. The group games here certainly did not disappoint, as the established managed to bite the dust.
Germany 2006: The Battle of Nuremberg
Look up ‘The Battle of Nuremberg’ on Wikipedia, and you will find a website dedicated to this. No not a famous battle in the Second World War. Instead a tempestuous second round clash between Portugal and Holland. Russian referee Valentin Ivanov produced a shambolic display, failing to keep control of the game, by brandishing a record 16 yellow cards. Four players (Costinha, Khalid Boulahrouz, Deco and Giovanni van Bronckhorst) were all sent off, as this game turned more into a WWE fighting contest, not a football game. It was cynical, dirty and ugly confrontation and showed football up to its worst attributes around. Oh, and by the way, Portugal won 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Maniche, but no-one seems to remember that!
Argentina 1978: Holland Stunners Leave Zoff Hapless
In the World Cup semi-final between Holland and Italy, Dino Zoff was left hapless by two absolute stunners, which sent Holland into another World Cup final. Italy took the lead in a tense and thrilling match, courtesy of an early own goal from Erny Brandts. Five minutes after the interval, Brandts made up for this, with a stunning strike from just outside the penalty area, and then with fifteen minutes left, Arie Haan hit and even better belter, which left Zoff sprawling and Holland into the final. Sadly, as in 1974, they would come up short again.
Japan/Korea 2002: Ronaldo’s Final
Four years earlier, Ronaldo had disappeared into obscurity, after his laboured display in the final against France. In 2002, he put those demons to rest in Yokohama, with two goals to secure Brazil’s fifth World title. Before the match with Germany, a lot had been made of the battle between Ronaldo, the player of the tournament and Olivier Khan, the goalkeeper of the tournament. In the 67th minute, Kahn split a tame shot from Rivaldo and Ronaldo pounced quickest to slam the ball into the net. Twelve minutes later, he coolly placed a second strike past Kahn and his rehabilitation was complete. This was truly Ronaldo’s final.
Italy 1990: The Indomitable Lions from Cameroon
Cameroon stunned the World stage in Italia 90, and ended up being one of the plus points of a tournament full of vicious fouls, poor matches and regular penalty shootouts. After the glamorous Milan opening ceremony, the Africans beat world champions Argentina in the opening match, courtesy of a goal from Omar Biyik. This was despite their kick-the-opponent attitude, which saw two players rightfully dismissed. In the second game, they beat Romania 2-0, courtesy of two goals from 38-year old super sub Roger Milla. The Milla corner flag dance soon became a planned routine, shown again with another two goals in the second round against Colombia. Only did their clumsy tackling and Gary Lineker’s spot kick efficiency saw the Indomitable Lions knocked out in the last eight by England. However, they had made their impact on the world scene, and in amazing fashion.
Sweden 1958: Pele Bursts onto the World Stage
In the 1958 World Cup finals, Brazil won their first Jules Rimet trophy, overcoming hosts Sweden 5-2 in an end-to-end final. It marked the birth of the world’s greatest player, Pele. An unknown 17-year old, he took centre stage in the second half of this final, with two spectacular goals. Pele’s first goal was a stunning, precise lob over the Swedish goalkeeper Bengt Gustavsson, and then followed it with a precise volley. With the game tied at 1-1 before his impact, the game really belonged to Pele and the trophy to Brazil. It was the start of a marriage made in heaven – Pele & Brazil.
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