World Cup 1982 - Day Twelve

DAY TWELVE

Thursday 24^th June 1982

GROUP TWO, Estadio Carlos Tartiere, Oviedo. (17:15)

ALGERIA   (3)   3   (Assad 8, 30, Bensaoula 34)

CHILE   (0)   2   (Neira pen 59, Letelier 74)

Algeria: Cerbah; Guendouz, Merzekane, Larbes, Kourichi; Mansouri (Dahleb), Fergani; Assad, Bensaoula, Madjer, Bourebbou (Yahi)

Chile: Osben; Galindo, Bigorra, Figueroa, Valenzuela; Dubo, Bonvallet (Soto), Moscoso, Neira; Caszely (Letelier), Yanez

In their first ever World Cup, Algeria had been a revelation.  Beating West Germany in their first match they then lost to Austria, but victory against Chile could see them get through to the second phase, something which would’ve seemed remarkable when they arrived in Spain.  But they’d have to try and do it without Belloumi who was injured.  Chile had been disappointing, although a good win here could still see them go through.

Algeria were attacking from the start and it was hardly a surprise when they scored after 8 minutes from yet another move down the right.  Madjer crossed, Bensaoula layed it back for Assad to fire them in front.  Madjer then hit the post when he cut inside on the left and floated a shot with his right foot which hit the far post and he was unlucky not to double their lead.  Bensaoula then also hit woodwork with a drive from 25 yards.  But Algeria were soon to score again.  Assad was put in and his left foot ‘poke’ was deflected in.  Just 4 minutes later they’d made it 3-0.  Bensaoula fired another shot from 25 yards out but this time it beat Osben.  3-0 up at half-time and they had one foot in the second phase.  Chile, to their credit, came back into it in the second half.  On the hour, Yanez was tripped in the box and Neira stepped up and scored to get them a goal back.  With 15 minutes still remaining, Letelier scored a good individual goal, rounding the keeper and beating three men on the line with a left foot shot.  In the end Algeria were deserved winners and now had to wait for tomorrow’s game between Austria and West Germany.  An Austrian win or draw would see Algeria through.

GROUP FOUR, Estadio Jose Zorrilla, Valladolid. (17:15)

CZECHOSLOVAKIA   (0)   1   (Panenka pen 84)

FRANCE   (0)   1   (Six 66)

Czechoslovakia: Stromsik; Fiala, Barmos, Vojacek, Radimec; Bicovsky, Stambacher, Vizek; Janecka (Panenka), Kriz (Masny), Nehoda

France: Ettori; Amoros, Janvion, Tresor, Bossis; Genghini, Platini, Giresse; Lacombe (Couriol), Six, Soler (Girard)

In Group Four, France had bounced back from their opening game defeat to England when they comfortably beat Kuwait.  But with Czechoslovakia being held by Kuwait the French only needed a draw from this one.  Czechoslovakia had been disappointing up to now and didn’t really get any better in this match.  France had the better of the chances in the first half with Lacombe and Giresse going closest.  In the 66^th minute the Czechs failed to clear in their defence and Lacombe went through, with the keeper coming out and only half-stopping the shot and Six was there to walk the ball into the empty net.  France should’ve made the game certain when Soler hit the post and Giresse fired over.  But with 6 minutes to go, Bossis brought Vizek down in the box and Panenka was calm under pressure when scoring from the spot, despite the referee re-spotting the ball and Platini walking in front of him at the start of his run.  The game ended 1-1 and the Czechs ended with 10 men as Vizek was sent-off for retaliating to some niggly challenge from Soler, and that probably summed up their tournament.  France were almost through to join England from this group, but a 4-goal win for Kuwait would put them out.

GROUP FIVE, Estadio La Romareda, Zaragoza. (21:00)

HONDURAS   (0)   0

YUGOSLAVIA   (0)   1   (Petrovic pen 87)

Honduras: Arzu; Villegas, Costly, Drummond, Bulnes; Maradiaga, Cruz (Laing), Zelaya, Yearwood; Betancourt, Figueroa

Yugoslavia: Pantelic; Gudelj, Stojkovic, Jovanovic, (Halilhodzic) Krmpotic, Zajec; Petrovic, Sljivo; Vujovic (Sestic), Susic, Surjak

This was the tightest group of them all.  2pts separating all 4 sides.  Honduras, like Algeria and Cameroon, had been a revelation.  Whereas the Yugoslavs could consider themselves unlucky to lose to the hosts, yet a win here could put pressure on Spain when they take on Northern Ireland the next night.  The game was goalless at half-time with Yugoslavia having the better of the chances, with Petrovic hitting the bar from a free-kick.  The game was entering the final minutes when substitute, Sestic beat a couple of Hondurans on the right wing, but as he weaved his way into the area, Villegas brought him down.  The referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty and Gilberto Yearwood protested so much he was sent-off.  Petrovic took the penalty and scored.  It was the third penalty of the day and gave Yugoslavia a crucial win but they had a nervous 24-hour wait to see if they were going through.  They would if Spain won.