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 four, and in the no particular order. Here are the next ten memories:
Germany 1974: Zaire’s Unforgettable Experience
African side Zaire, now known today as Congo DR, touched down in Germany to become the first black African team to participate in a FIFA World Cup. Before the beginning of the tournament, their dictator was confident of Zaire producing a good show and warned the team of severe consequences, should they end up embarrassing him. Scotland, as expected gave Zaire more respect, only winning 2-0. On the other hand, Yugoslavia were far more clinical, destroying the clueless backline to record a 9-0 walloping, which today remains a record World Cup victory. The controversial Zaire dictator told the team that they wouldn’t see their families again, should they get beaten against the world champions by four clear goals. Facing a free-kick 25 yards out, with eight minutes to go and trailing 3-0 – defender Mwepu Ilunga took desperate action and clearly showed he had never read the FIFA rulebook. On the referee’s whistle, Ilunga charged out of the wall and booted the ball away. He received a comical yellow card – but the team successfully defended the resulting free-kick, only lost 3-0 and remained alive. Despite not winning a game, or even scoring, they had given us an unforgettable FIFA World Cup memory.
Mexico 1986: France 1-1 Brazil – A Match of High Quality
In steaming Guadalajara, France and Brazil played out one of the greatest games in World Cup history. In the early exchanges, the South Americans dominated and inherited the lead on 18 minutes, when Careca finished off a top-quality team move. Five minutes before the break, the talented French drew level, through the birthday boy, Michel Platini. In the second half, Brazil regained control, but failed to beat an inspire Joel Bats in the French goal. This included Bats saving a late penalty from the substitute, Zico. Les Bleus took command in the extra thirty minutes, but no-one could break the opposition down, so penalties settled the outcome. Socrates missed Brazil’s first kick, but then Platini fired his kick over the bar. Eventually, Julio Cesar struck the post with his penalty, allowing Luis Fernandez to smash home the winning penalty. France won 4-3 on spot-kicks, in one of the most memorable games in history.
Japan/Korea 2002: Ronaldinho Embarrasses Seaman
England came up short in the stifling heat of Shizuoka, and David Seaman was left with egg on his face. England gave their fans real belief of causing a major upset, when Lucio slipped and Michael Owen cashed in to fire Sven Goran-Eriksson’s men infront. Rivaldo levelled on the stroke of half-time. Then, five minutes after the break, Ronaldinho produced a moment of magic, though whether he meant it or not, remains up for debate. He caught Seaman off his line and the free-kick he took looped over the Arsenal goalkeeper and into the net. Although Ronaldinho later saw red, for a dangerous challenge on Danny Mills, Scolari’s team had done enough and once again, England had fallen short on the big occasion.
France 1998: Dennis Bergkamp’s Moment of Utter Genius
Having knocked England out on penalties four days ago, all English fans were rooting for Holland in a tempestuous quarter-final and it was the Dutch who came out on top, due to a moment of genius from a player full of genuine class. Patrick Kluivert and Claudio Lopez had exchanged goals in the early stages and as the game continued, tempers started to fray. Artur Numan and Ariel Ortega both saw red in the Stade Velodrome, and it looked like this match was destined for extra-time. Step forward Arsenal’s Dennis Bergkamp, who controlled a 60-yard long ball from Frank de Boer, before stepping inside his man and thrashing the ball past the despairing Carlos Roa. It was pure brilliance.
Argentina 1978: Argentina Delight the Homecrowd
By the late 70’s, it was crystal clear that not everything was well in Argentina, with the country on the brink of civil war. Consequently, it needed something to cheer and in the form of its football team it managed this. As hosts, a lot was expected of them, but they still came into the game against the masters of ‘Total Football,’ Holland, as minor underdogs. Mario Kempes opened the scoring for Argentina, cancelled out by Dick Nanninga infront of a hostile crowd in Buenos Aires. In extra-time, Argentina took command of the game, with goals from Daniel Bertoni and Kempes, his sixth goal of the tournament, making him the top goalscorer. Frustrated by the delaying tactics by the Argentines, the Dutch team refused to take part in the post-match celebrations. It was their second successive World Cup final defeat, as Argentina delighting their Homecrowd.
USA 1994: Aldo Loses His Temper on the Touchline
Four years on from their dramatic adventure in Italy, the Republic of Ireland were once again, left to carry the flag for the British Isles in America. Jack Charlton’s men produced the most amazing start, defeating Italy in Giants Stadium, courtesy of a wonder strike from Aston Villa dynamo, Ray Houghton. More drama followed in their next match though, as they went 2-0 down to Mexico in the heat of Florida. John Aldridge had been waiting to come on as a sub, when Mexico’s Garcia Aspe scored his second of the contest. A mix-up in communication between the FIFA and American officials left Aldridge waiting and waiting and waiting. Cue a lot of frustrated and f-rated words. He eventually got on the field, and scored a consolation. The 2-1 defeat wasn’t enough to stop Ireland reaching the last 16 in 1994, but sadly, their tournament here will be best remembered for Aldridge’s temper strop.
Germany 2006: Switzerland’s Amazing Defensive Feat
On an absolutely dreary night in Cologne, Switzerland made unwanted World Cup history, by becoming the first ever side to be eliminated from the competition, without conceding a goal. The Swiss have never been the most exciting team to watch, but their efficiency was being proven, when they beat Togo and South Korea, gained a creditable 0-0 result against a below-par France and end up winning Group G. However, their lack of cutting edge was discovered in a lame last 16 meet-up with Ukraine. Neither side wanted to win, both played for penalties. The expected 0-0 draw was followed by Switzerland’s inability to find the back of the net from twelve yards. They missed all three penalties; Ukraine converted three of their four and advanced to the quarter-finals. When they begin their 2010 effort against Spain, you will have to go back to June 1994, to find the last time Switzerland conceded at the finals, ironically against the Spanish.
Spain 1982: Kuwait’s President Loses the Plot
A farcical incident occurred during a 1982 World Cup group encounter between France and Kuwait. France had been leading 3-1 and were comfortably heading for victory, when midfielder Alain Giresse brokethrough. Kuwait stopped playing, convinced that Giresse was offside, having heard a whistle from the crowd. Soviet referee Miroslav Stupar allowed the goal to stand and play didn’t resume for eight minutes when president of the Kuwaiti Football Association stormed onto the pitch, attempting to take his players off. His persistence saw Stupar eventually disallow the goal, to the understandable fury of the French. When play resumed, Maxime Bossis did scored a credible fourth and France ended up winning 4-1. Stupar lost his international refereeing credentials and the president of the Kuwait FA copped a $10,000 fine.
USA 1994: Saeed’s Glory Run
Nobody fancied Saudi Arabia, on their first World Cup expedition to do much, instead of just making up the numbers. However, they were real battlers and produced one of those unforgettable goals, in their final group match against Belgium. Needing a draw to just progress to the knockout stages, Saeed Owairan began a mazy dribble, which to begin with, even he looked confused with what to do. So, with little option, he kept running, and running and running, scaring the Belgian backline. Eventually, he slotted the ball into the roof of the net of Belgian keeper, Michel Prudehomme. It was a stunning moment and provided Owairan with global Asian status. He peaked that year, with numerous awards in Asia and Africa, and appeared on some famous Pepsi commercials. Less than eighteen months later, Saeed was in jail, caught dancing and drinking with a bird on Ramadan. It was a pitiful fall from grace, but few can argue that his strike against Belgium remains as one of the best in World Cup history.
Italy 1990: England’s Penalty Trauma Begins
Turin, July 4th 1990 and England and West Germany have just played out a captivating World Cup semi-final, which after two hours, has ended 1-1. Andreas Brehme’s deflected free kick was cancelled out by an opportunist effort, from Gary Lineker. Then, there was ‘that’ late challenge from the player of the tournament, Paul Gascoigne on Thomas Berthold. Cue the famous waterworks and Gazza’s tears, as he realised that he would miss the final, should England get there. Then, with the penalty shootout tied at 3-3, Stuart Pearce’s unconvincing effort was kept out by Bodo Illgner. With Gascoigne unfit to take the final penalty, Chris Waddle stepped up and blazed the ball out of the Stadio Delle Alpi, and skywards into the direction of Luton Airport! With it, West Germany advanced to their third consecutive final and it was a case of what might have been for Sir Bobby Robson’s Three Lions.
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