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.

World Cup 1982 - Day Eight

Sunday 20^th June 1982

GROUP TWO, Estadio El Molinon Gijon. (17:15)

WEST GERMANY   (1)   4   (Rummenigge 9, 56, 66, Reinders 81)

CHILE   (0)   1   (Moscoso 89)

West Germany: Schumacher; Kaltz, K-H Forster, Stielike, Briegel; Littbarski (Reinders), Dremmler, Breitner (Matthaus), Magath; Rummenigge, Hrubesch

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

West Germany had to pick themselves up from the embarrassment of losing to minnows, Algeria in this stadium in their first match.  Chile could consider themselves unlucky when losing to Austria, but it meant this was a ‘must win’ game for both teams. 

The Germans took the lead when Rummenigge’s shot from outside the area, dribbled under the Chilean keeper’s body and into the net.  Osben looked to have it covered and but it was a poor attempt at a stop.  The Germans were bolstered by the start they had and both Hrubesch and Rummenigge had chances to add to their lead before the break.  In the 56^th minute, Rummenigge scored his 2^nd of the game to double the Germans lead and then 10 minutes later he cut in from the right, played a one-two with Magath, before knocking the ball past Osben for his hat-trick.  With less than 10 minutes to go, Uwe Reinders, who’d come on for Pierre Littbarski, also cut in from the right and beat Osben on his near post.  It was Reinders first goal for his country.  Moscoso got a goal back for Chile right at the end, but the Germans had got back to winning ways.  Moscoso nutmegged Manny Kaltz before firing past Schumacher.

GROUP FOUR, Estadio San Mames, Bilbao. (17:15)

CZECHOSLOVAKIA   (0)   0

ENGLAND   (0)   2   (Francis 63, Barmos og 66)

Czechoslovakia: Seman (Stromsik); Fiala, Barmos, Vojacek, Jurkemic; Berger, Radimec, Chaloupka, Vizek; Janecka (Masny), Nehoda

England: Shilton; Mills, Thompson, Butcher, Sansom; Coppell, Robson (Hoddle), Wilkins, Rix; Francis, Mariner

England were back in Bilbao where they’d beaten France 3-1 in their opening game.  The Czechs had been surprisingly held by Kuwait and needed a win here.  England were the better team throughout the first half but missed a host of chances with Wilkins forcing a good save from Seman with a thunderous volley.  Mariner blasted over when he should’ve hit the target and Robson was also wayward with a header.

In the second half, England continued to create chances and finally the deadlock was broken in the 63^rd minute.  Wilkins took a corner on the left and Seman somehow let the ball slip through his hands and Francis was at the back post to turn it in.  Then within 3 minutes, Mariner’s ball into the area trying to find Francis, and Czech defender, Barmos, stuck out a leg and diverted the ball into his own net.  England were comfortable 2-0 winners and had booked their place in the next phase.

GROUP FIVE, Estadio Luis Casanova, Valencia. (21:00)

SPAIN   (1)   2   (Juanito pen 14, Saura 66)

YUGOSLAVIA   (1)   1   (Gudelj 10)

Spain: Arconada; Camacho, Alexanco, Tendillo, Gordillo; Alonso, Zamora, Sanchez (Saura); Juanito, Satrustegui (Quini), Lopez-Ufarte

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

Spain had almost suffered the ultimate humiliation when they nearly lost to Honduras in their opening game.  Yugoslavia had played out a goalless draw with Northern Ireland and so all four countries in this group were still level after their first matches. 

Yugoslavia made the first breakthrough with a goal after just 10 minutes.  A free-kick on the right wing was headed in by Gudelj who was unmarked in the area.  Four minutes later Alonso surged forward and was brought down by Stojkovic which looked outside the area, but the referee pointed to the spot.  Lopez Ufarte, who’d scored against Honduras, put it wide but the referee ordered a re-take as the keeper was yards off his line.  Juanito then decided he better take it and he put the keeper the wrong way.  Yugoslavia reacted well as Petrovic, Slijvo and Surjak forced Arconada to make important saves.

In the second half the Yugoslav dominance continued as Vujovic had several chances to go back in front, but just couldn’t find the net.  Then in the 66^th minute a corner from the right for Spain was flicked on at the near post by Quini and Saura arrived late at the back post to put the ball in.  Spain had been 2^nd best for much of the game, but they eventually ground out a win to get their World Cup started.

World Cup 1982 - Day Five

DAY FIVE

Thursday 17^th June 1982

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

AUSTRIA   (1)   1   (Schachner 21)

CHILE   (0)   0

Austria: Koncilia; Krauss, Degeorgi (Baumeister), Pezzey, Obermayer; Weber (Jurtin), Hattenberger, Prohaska, Hintermaier; Schachner, Krankl

Chile: Osben; Garrido, Bigorra, Figueroa, Valenzuela; Dubo, Bonvallet, Moscoso (Gamboa), Neira (Rojas); Caszely, Yanez

After the drama of yesterday, this day was quite tame.  Austria and Chile met in Oviedo and Walter Schachner’s goal in the 21^st minute decided the game.  Krauss, the right-back, crossed from the right wing and Schachner headed the Austrians in front.  Chile hadn’t won a group match since they hosted the event in 1962, but they fought back and earned a penalty when Caszely beat the offside trap but was brought down by Pezzey.  He stepped up confidently to take the kick but put it wide.  Chile had plenty of chances to equalise, but as the game wore on Austria just missed a host of chances themselves, with Schachner and Krankl guilty.

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

CZECHOSLOVAKIA   (1)   1   (Panenka pen 21)

KUWAIT   (0)   1   (Al-Dakheel 58)

Czechoslovakia: Hruska; Fiala, Barmos, Kukucka, Jurkemic; Panenka, Berger, Vizek; Kriz (Bicovsky), Janecka (Petrzela), Nehoda

Kuwait: Al-Tarabulsi; N. Mubarak, Al-Mubarak, Mayouf, M. Mubarak; Al-Houti, Al-Buloushi, Al-Anbari, Karam (Marzouq); Sultan, Al-Dakheel

In England’s group Kuwait played their first ever World Cup finals match.  Czechoslovakia, who’d qualified from Wales group, were the opponents.  After a bright start from Kuwait, Vizek was obstructed in the area and who else but Antonin Panenka took the spot-kick and put the Czechs 1-0 up.  Kuwait took until the hour to get back on level terms.  They’d shown a willingness to shoot from anywhere and this was well demonstrated when Faisal Al-Dakheel fired the equaliser in from 30 yards.  At 1-1 Kuwait just kept pushing for the winner as the Czechs became increasingly desperate.  But it ended 1-1 and Kuwait had done much to garner support of the locals, a result which suited both England and France.

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

NORTHERN IRELAND   (0)   0

YUGOSLAVIA   (0)   0 

N.Ireland: Jennings; J. Nicholl, C. Nicholl, McClelland, Donaghy; M. O’Neill, McCreery, McIlroy; Hamilton, Armstrong, Whiteside

Yugoslavia: Pantelic; Gudelj, Stojkovic, Jovanovic, Zajec; Petrovic, Hrstic, Sljivo; Vujovic, Susic, Surjak

Northern Ireland, making only their 2^nd ever appearance at a finals, after 1958, were up against Yugoslavia who missed the tournament in 1978, but set a record 9-0 winning score in 1974.  Billy Bingham selected Norman Whiteside who broke Pele’s record as the youngest player to make an appearance in a World Cup finals match.  He was 17 years and 41 days old.

Nearly everything the Yugoslavs did went through current Bosnian manager, Susic, but Pat Jennings in the Irish goal was in fine form.  Armstrong and Hamilton both went close for the Irish but neither side could convert their chances and now both games in this group had been drawn, which was great news for Honduras and Northern Ireland.

World Cup 1982 - Qualification (CONMEBOL)

CONMEBOL

With Argentina qualifying automatically as holders, the other 9 countries were divided into three groups with the winners going through to the finals in Spain.

GROUP ONE: Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela

GROUP TWO: Colombia, Peru, Uruguay

GROUP THREE: Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay

GROUP ONE

Bolivia, Brazil and Venezuela

The matches in this group were played between February and March 1981.  Venezuela were the hosts for the first game of the group as Brazil were the visitors to Caracas.  No goals going into the final 10 minutes when Brazil earned a penalty.  A scramble in the box saw Serginho’s shot saved by one of the Venezuelan defenders and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.  Zico stepped up and scored to give Brazil a 1-0 win.

A week later, Venezuela travelled to La Paz to play Bolivia.  Goals from Aragones, Aguilar and Reynardo gave Bolivia a comfortable 3-0 win, and put paid to any hopes Venezuela had of qualifying.  Brazil then visited La Paz, and took an early lead when Eder’s cross from the left wing was turned in at the far post by Socrates, after just 6 minutes.  But midway through the first half Bolivia had a corner on the right and Brazilian keeper, Waldir, completely misjudged it and Carlos Aragones had the simple task of heading the ball in for the equaliser.  Then on the hour-mark a swift attack saw Reinaldo strike from about 25 yards out and that proved the winner for Brazil.  They later had Cerezo sent-off, but still managed to hold onto the win.

Venezuela then beat Bolivia for a rare win for them, and this meant Bolivia would now have to win in the Maracana and hope Venezuela could do the same, otherwise Brazil would stroll through to the finals.  When Bolivia arrived in Rio, they gave Brazil a penalty after 20 minutes when a through ball from Junior found Reinaldo unmarked in the box and for some inexplicable reason, the Bolivian keeper, Jimenez, came charging out and completely wiped the striker out.  Zico then coolly converted the penalty.  In the second half, Reinaldo’s shot came back off the bar and Zico was there to score his 2^nd of the night.  Bolivia actually came back into it when Junior brought down the right-back, Trigo, in the area and Carlos Aragones converted the penalty to make it 1-2.  Then with 5 minutes remaining, Brazil had a free-kick on the edge of the ‘D’ and Zico curled it over the wall and past Jimenez to complete his hat-trick.  That 3-1 win secured qualification for the Brazilians.

A week later they welcomed the Venezuelans to Goiania.  After 30 minutes, a free-kick on the right from Getulio was headed in by Flamengo striker, Tita to give Brazil the lead.  10 minutes into the second half, Junior took a free-kick on the left near the touchline.  His ball floated into the area was headed in by Socrates.  2 minutes later Getulio crossed from the right and Tita got up and powered a header towards goal.  It was saved on the line where Zico then tried to score from the rebound and his shot was also blocked on the line, before Tita eventually knocked in that rebound.  Then in the 72^nd minute, Ze Sergio’s run down the left wing came to an end when he was tripped in the area and Zico, also a Flamengo player, again scored from the spot to make it 4-0.  With just 6 minutes to go, the third Flamengo player in the team, Junior, made a trademark run from the back and Zico found him, sending him clear to easily beat the keeper and Brazil had rounded off a perfect campaign with a 5-0 win.

QUALIFIER: Brazil

GROUP TWO

Colombia, Peru, Uruguay

This group completed its games between end of July and mid-September 1981.  Peru would be considered the favourites after their performances in Argentina 1978, yet they were on a run of no win in their last 10 internationals.  First up was a meeting between Colombia and Peru in Bogota.  Peru had a great chance to take the lead in the first half when they were awarded a penalty, but Cubillas saw his shot saved by the Colombian keeper.  In the 64^th minute Peru failed to properly clear a corner and Herrera’s shot from the edge of the area gave Colombia the lead.  They looked like they were going to hang on but then Guillermo La Rosa rose above the defence to head home the equaliser 4 minutes from time.  1-1 was the result and proved this group was going to be tight.

Two weeks later Colombia travelled to Montevideo to take on Uruguay.  Uruguay hadn’t lost at home since West Germany beat them 1-2 in June 1977.  Ruben Paz put them ahead after 20 minutes, only for Sarmiento to equalise just before half-time.  Herrera then put Colombia in front on the hour and looked as if they were going to pull off a shock.  But with 10 minutes to go, Julio Morales brought the home side level and then with just 2 minutes to go, he converted a penalty to give Uruguay a dramatic 3-2 win.

Colombia then travelled to Lima knowing anything other than a win would ruin their chances of going through.  Peru took a 5^th minute lead when Barbadillo headed a cross in at the far post.  Then in the second half, Uribe converted a penalty and Peru won 2-0.  That was Colombia out and so the double-header between Peru and Uruguay would decide the winner of the group.  Their first meeting was in Montevideo.  Peru had the better of the first half and with 6 minutes of the first period left, went in front when La Rosa fired them in front.

Two minutes into the second half a great run from Velasquez took out most of the defence, and when he let in Uribe, the Peruvian fired the visitors into a 2-0 lead.  Victorino got a goal back for the home side but Peru pulled off a crucial and important 2-1 win to put them in pole position in the group.  In September the two met again, in Lima.  Uruguay needed to win but just couldn’t break down the home side and the game ended 0-0 to put Peru through.  Colombia and Uruguay then played out a 1-1 which was academic.

QUALIFIER: Peru

GROUP THREE

Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay

Group Three played their matches from late May to late June 1981.  Ecuador took on Paraguay in Guayaquil.  Klinger scored the only goal of the game and Ecuador won 1-0.  A week later at the same venue Ecuador and Chile played out a 0-0 draw.  Ecuador then travelled to Asuncion for the return fixture with Paraguay.  A win would see them very close to their first ever appearance in the finals.  After a goalless first half, Paraguay scored 3 times in the second half through Anoli, Morel and Romero.  Ecuador pulled one back but Paraguay’s 3-1 win gave them renewed hope.  If Paraguay could beat Chile they’d really open the group up.  But in Asuncion a goal from Yanez on the counter-attack with 20 minutes to go, gave Chile a vital 1-0 win.  Chile and Ecuador both had 3pts with Paraguay on 2pts.  In Santiago, Chile met Ecuador.  If the Chileans could win they’d win the group, but even a defeat would still give them a chance as they had a game to go.  Goals in each half from Rivas and Caszely gave Chile a 2-0 win, and had won the group.  Then a week later Chile confirmed their group win with a comprehensive 3-0 win at home to Paraguay.

QUALIFIER: Chile