A Brief History Of The FIFA World Cups (Part Two)

A Brief History Of “Chile 62″

The motto of the World Cup Chile 62 was “porque no tenemos nada, lo haremos todo” (because we have nothing, we will make everything). This due to the earthquake which struck Chile in the months leading up to the world cup that left this South American country with all to do in order to be ready on time yet it was to their credit that the job was completed on schedule.

Chile 62 was the first world cup in which defensive play became a factor in the game as before this was something teams almost never thought about to the extent that matches like the France 6 Germany 3 which decided third place in the previous cup were not so rare. It being in Chile 62 that teams began to worry not so much about winning but not loosing, perhaps thinking that one should win if one scored two goals or more. This tournament in fact putting an end to world cups like the one in 54 which saw Hungary score 27 goals in 5 games while Germany scored 23 in 6 games or like the one in 58 which saw Fontaine of France score 13 goals in 6 games or a final in which 7 goals were scored.

Chile 62 was also rare in being the one that led to FIFA passing a rule that if a player played for one country he could not do so for another one. This due to players like Czechoslovakia’s Kubala who ended up playing for not only Czechoslovakia but Hungary and Spain while Hungary’s Puskas even scored a goal for Spain in Chile 62 against Mexico to give them a 1-0 victory. Chile 62 was also a world cup in which unfortunately many of Europe’s best players of the time either did not really play as well as was expected of them such as Yashin of the USSR or Spain’s Gento or did not play at all. As was the case with Di Stefano, who despite being fit in training was not allowed to play for Spain and perhaps because of this became arguably the best player never to have played in a world cup.

Another interesting factor about Chile 62 was the way Brazil won their opening match against Mexico by 2-0 while Uruguay won theirs against Colombia by 2-1 while Argentina was theirs against Bulgaria by 1-0 yet these three teams despite winning were still severely criticized in their own countries. Chile 62 was also unique in being the only world cup so far in which 6 players finished tied for top goal scorer at 4 goals a piece. The list of these players including Vava (Brazil), Garrincha (Brazil), Albert (Hungary), Ivanov (USSR), Jerkovic (Yugoslavia) and Sanchez (Chile). Regarding the manner in which the tournament was played, this was also the first world cup in which teams did not have to play each other twice in the first round to determine which of the two went on to the quarterfinals.

As for Italy, they would be eliminated in the first round for the third time in a world cup but at least they managed to qualify; after not having done so in 58 for what would be the first and last time. Italy in this world cup would also play a most memorable game against Chile which was so violent and full of dirty fouls that it will forever be remembered as the “battle of Santiago”. It being in this match that Italy not only lost by 2-0 but had two men sent off while Chile’s Toro knocked out an Italian player with a left hook and was allowed to stay on the field. Chile 62 however had other moments of interest such as:

1. Colombia 4 USSR 4 (First Round)

This match apart from being one of the greatest ever played was also and still is the highest amount of goals two teams have drawn level at. It was also in this game that Col for Colombia scored the first and so far the only Olympic goal ever scored in a world cup. An Olympic goal being one where the ball goes straight in from the corner spot without being touched by another player.

2. Czechoslovakia 3 Yugoslavia 1 (Semifinal)

This match broke a record for the lowest attendance for a world cup semifinal. As the number of fans in attendance was about 8,000.

3. Brazil 4 Chile 2

This was the first time two South American teams faced each other in a world cup semifinal.

4. Brazil 3 Czechoslovakia 1 (Final)

Brazil’s Vava became the first player ever to score goals in two different finals.

The world cup Chile 62 saw many a great performance yet perhaps the most outstanding was by Garrincha who was able to win the world cup for Brazil. This naturally being with the help of Amarildo who through out most of the tournament played for the injured Pele. As a footnote to this cup, Chile beat Yugoslavia for third place yet has not won a world cup match ever since. This despite having played in four world cups since.

A Brief History Of “England 66″

The world cup “England 1966″ was the first one played in an English speaking country along with being the one which to many will be remembered for a very controversial victory by the home team; for many reasons that go beyond their third goal in the final. For Italy the world cup in 66 will probably be remembered as the lowest point in their football history yet it did help to wake them from the complacency they had lapsed in to, as it was thanks to a loose to North Korea that they realized that any team could beat any other team. This being more so the case if they ran while their opponents walked on the field as if there mere presence were enough to score goals. England 66 however will also be remembered as a world cup of very defensive play and few flashes of brilliance yet it did have its moments.

1. North Korea 1 Italia 0 (First Round)

This matched served to qualify North Korea in to the quarterfinals which made it the first Asian team ever to get so far in a world cup. This victory by North Korea was also the first ever by an Asian team in a world cup.

2. Portugal 5 North Korea 3 (Quarterfinals)

In this match North Korea’s Pak Seung-Zin scored what was then the fastest goal in world cup history. This game will also be remembered as one of the greatest of all time as Portugal fell behind 3-0 yet thanks to Eusebio, who scored 4 goals; managed to come back and qualify to the semifinal.

3. England 1 Argentina 0  (Quarterfinals)

This game will mostly be remembered for the expulsion of Argentina’s captain, Rattin by a German referee (Kreitlein) who claimed he did not like the way he was being looked at. This prompting Argentineans to label this game as “el robo del ciglo” (the theft of the century) due to not only the expulsion of their captain but the fact that a German referee had been chosen for England’s game against them while an English referee had been chosen for Germany’s game against Uruguay. All of which making it appear as if these two countries had made a pact to help the other. FIFA even created a rule to prevent such things happening in the future along with another one that no referee from a country that had something to gain or loose by an encounter between two nations could be chosen for that particular match.

4. Germany 4 Uruguay 0 (Quarterfinals)

This match was referred by Jim Finney from England who many suspected helped Germany because Kreitlein of Germany had helped England in their game against Argentina. It being Kreitlein’s expulsions of Uruguay’s Troche and Silva along with his having missed a hand ball in the penalty box by Germany’s Schnellinger which gave more weight to the arguments that there might have been an arrangement between England and Germany to help each other in their respective games.

5. England 2 Portugal 1 (Semifinal)

This game was controversial even before it started as it was originally scheduled to be played in Liverpool yet was changed to Wembley stadium due to interference on the part of English officials.

6. England 4 West Germany 2 (Final)

England became champion for the first time and are still the only champion to have played in only one final. This game will mostly be remembered for England’s third goal and first in the period of overtime which followed the match. As it was believed and has recently been proven by computer graphics that Geoffrey Hurst’s shot at the 111 minute mark of the game did not actually go over the goal line. England however did score a forth goal in this game which made the score 4-2 yet some claim this goal also should not have been allowed. As some fans had even made their way on to the field (believing the game was over) while England’s Hurst was still running down the field; on his way to putting the ball in the German net. In fact, it was the English announcer who even claimed the game to have ended before the ball actually went in the German goal. Another factor to be remembered in this final was Hurst, who became the first and so far only player in world cup history to score three goals in a final.

England however won this world cup even if it was with some controversial moments which to date has been not only their only championship in world football but their only appearance in a major final. This being the case since they have yet to play in the final of a European Cup. England 66 unfortunately also went down in history as a world cup with very little in the way of great play given that creativity was replaced by nasty defending. For Italy, however it marked a turning point in their football. As it led them to see that changes would be required on their part if they were ever to return to their glorious past.

As a footnote, it was Portugal who in this tournament won 5 games which gave them 10 points and placed them among the top 10 teams in the overall standings of the world cup. This despite having only played in one world cup.

A Brief History Of “Mexico 70″

The world cup Mexico 70 is one which is mostly remembered for great football, strong teams and memorable games which in the opinion of some make this the greatest world cup ever played despite the goal scoring average not being among the highest. I however ask if it is fair to compare this world cup to those of the past which were not even televised? This perhaps being a question of debate yet Mexico 70 did enjoy being the first world cup which was not only transmitted world wide but with the benefit of instant replays.

Mexico 70 was also a world cup which brought about important changes to the game. The first of which being yellow and red cards given to players who committed infractions with the yellow card being used as a caution while the red card meant expulsion from the game to the player to whom it was presented. Another change in this world cup was that for the first time teams were allowed to substitute players during the game. It being two the number of players which teams were permitted to replace (unlike today’s three) with those on a list which they presented before the game of players eligible to enter the game. This system creating a situation where only players on this list could enter the game yet with time it changed to what it is today; where any player on the team who has not been suspended may enter the field of play in somebody’s place. For my part however I find it strange that FIFA would have waited so many years to install a system that allowed players to be substituted. It in fact putting an end to those days in which teams were sometimes forced to play short handed when a player had been injured; who either left the field or simple remained on it in spite of doing literally nothing other than standing in place.

To these changes however there was another one which was also of consequence and this one being that the system of goal difference would be used to separate two teams who finished equal on points; as opposed to before where teams were required to play an additional match.

For Italy this world cup was perhaps the most significant they ever played as it was the one to return it to its prewar glory of the thirties. It being the first time since 1938 that Italy not only went past the first round in a world cup but as far as the final and though theirs would be to loose to Brazil; the efforts of this team brought back much pride in Italian football which had taken battering after their 1-0 loose to North Korea in the previous world cup. Italy looking back had a great team which so far has been the only one in its history to ever win the European Championship yet it was their performance in Mexico 70 which put our football back among the world’s best. Italy lost to Brazil by 4-1 yet did have their chances in a game that was not as lopsided as the score would suggest and many (myself included) are of the idea that it was fatigue from their previous overtime encounter with Germany that took too much out of them to be able to win against a very strong Brazilian team. This a team which is believed by many to have been the greatest in Brazil’s history.

The world cup Mexico 70 which was also the first one to be held in neither Europe or South America without a doubt had many fine memories and outstanding moments some of which are included in this list.

1. Mexico 0 USSR 0 (opening game)

This is the game where the first ever substitution of a player took place. It being when Anatoliy Puzach came in for  Viktor Serebryanikov after 45 minutes of play.

2. Italy 4 Germany 3 (Semifinal)

This was a legendary match which included almost everything a game can, from a last minute equalizer by Schnellinger for Germany at the end of regulation time to five overtime goals.

3. Brazil 4 Italy 1 (Final)

It was this game which proclaimed Brazil champion for the third time, it being this factor which meant they got to keep the Jules Rimet trophy as their own property yet as a footnote; it would get stolen in 83 and has yet to be recovered. Brazil’s Pele became the first and so far only player to be on three teams to win the world cup as he was also a member of their squad which won the world cups in both 58 and 62 yet despite this factor he would not be the first player ever to play in three finals. This being the case since he did not play for Brazil in the 62 final.

Italy made it to the world cup final in Mexico 70 which surprised many at home yet despite this they were not so warmly welcomed back home when they failed to beat Brazil in the final. As an added fact to this Italian squad, it was their substitute goalkeeper, Dino Zoff who would go on to captain their world cup winning team in Spain 82.

A Brief History Of “Germany 74″

The world cup played in Germany in 1974 was the first one in which teams competed for the FIFA cup instead of the Jules Rimet cup. This cup having been won by Brazil for keeps in Mexico 1970 when they beat Italy in the final by 4-1. The world cup 74 in Germany was also the first in which teams getting to the final would be required to play seven games as opposed to the six they had played in the previous world cups. All due to a system in which the 8 teams that qualified in to the quarterfinals would be put in to two groups of four where the teams to come in first from each group would go in to the finals while the teams to come in second from each group would play for third place. All of which making it necessary for 38 games to be played instead 32 as had been the case in the previous world cup.

Germany 74 was the last time Italy did not get past the first round in a world cup. As theirs was a team which was aging however other teams and events; such as the following made this tournament memorable. As for myself personally though I did not see any of the games of this world cup live I did see repeats of the games on television in the months leading up to Argentina 78.

1. Brazil 0 Yugoslavia 0 (Opening Game)

This was the first time in the history of the world cups in which the defending champion (Brazil) played the opening game. This breaking the tradition that it was the host nation which was given the honor.

2. West Germany 1 Chile 0 (First Round)

In this game Chile’s forward Carlos Cazeli became the first ever player in world cup history to be sent off the field with a red card.

3. Yugoslavia 1 Scotland 1 (First Round)

As a result of this game, Scotland became the first ever team to be eliminated in the first round of a world cup without actually loosing a game and having only conceded one goal.

4. East Germany 1 West Germany 0 (First Round)

This was the first and so far the last match to be played by a divided nation which could repeat itself if North Korea were to face South Korea in the upcoming South Africa 2010.

5. West Germany 2 The Netherlands 1 (Final)

In this game Holland’s Neeskins at 2 minutes in to the match scored the fastest goal in a world cup final. This goal coming on a penalty which was also the first given in a final. Another unique feature about the only Dutch goal of this final was that it was they who kicked off and no German player actually touched the ball till they were already trailing by 1-0. The First German goal also came on a penalty which made this the first final not only to have one penalty but two of them. The second German goal was scored by Muller, it being his 14th world cup goal which also made him the highest scorer in world cup history; surpassing the French player Fontaine. This final was also original in being the first ever in which no goals were scored in the second half.

Germany won the world cup which they organized in 74 with a great team which showed all the qualities of their football yet other teams such as the Netherlands and Poland would also leave a very good mark on this tournament. As for me personally though I did not see Germany 74 live, it would be sad to find out later that Italy had not qualified in to the quarterfinals yet better days would come in Argentina 78 for the “azurri”.

A Brief History Of “Argentina 78″

An article about all the strange and first time things which occurred in the world cup Argentina 78.

I have been a fan of football ever since the first world cup which I saw back in 78 when the tournament took place in Argentina which till now has been the last time it was held in South America. It being even back then that I had a mind for trivia and noting strange things or those which happened for the first time that to my way of seeing things made those games memorable such as the following facts.

1. Italy 2 France 1(First Round)

This was a game in which Lacombe for France scored the fastest goal in world cup history; just 35 seconds in to the match.

2. Argentina 2 Hungary 1 (First Round)

This was a game in which Hungary had two of its players shown the red card. This being the first time that more than one player was thrown out of a match.

3. Argentina 2 France 1 (First Round)

This was the first time a team ever substituted their goalkeeper. This happening when France was forced to replace their goalkeeper, Le Mande (for Baretelli) due to an injury he sustained after hitting his back on the goal post when going for a shot by Valencia.

4. Italy 3 Hungary 1 (First Round)

This was a game in which Italian forward Bettega, hit the post three times. This perhaps being a record.

5. France 3 Hungary 1 (First Round)

This was a game in which both the French and Hungarian team came on the field wearing the same color jersey which created a strange situation in which the match had to be delayed until one team got another uniform. This being not so easy as neither had one yet a solution was found as France played the game in the clothes of a local team.

6. Tunisia 3 Mexico 1 (First Round)

This was the first time an African team ever won a match in a world cup.

7. Brazil 1 Sweden 1 (First Round)

This was a game in which Brazil had a goal disallowed in the last minute of the match. This due to the referee claiming the game had finished while the ball was in the air; after it had been headed by Zico (for Brazil) and before it had crossed the Swedish goal line.

8. Peru 3 Scotland 1 (First Round)

This is a game remembered mostly for Scotland having one of its players (Johnston) suspended for using illegal substances. It being the first time a player had ever been suspended for using a banned substance.

9. The Netherlands 3 Scotland 2 (First Round)

This is the game in which Resenbrink scored the 1,000th goal in world cup history.

10. The Netherlands 5 Austria 1 (quarterfinals)

This is a game which to me seemed strange because Austria was being coached by a Dutchman while the Netherlands was being coached by an Austrian.

11. Brazil 3 Poland 1 (Quarterfinals)

This was a game noted for Brazil’s third goal scored by Roberto in which the ball hit the post three times on the same play before going in the net.

12. The Netherlands 2 Italy 1 (Quarterfinals)

This was a game in which the Dutch player Brandts, scored two goals. First one as an own goal for Italy and then a spectacular shot to make up for his mistake.

13. Argentina 6 Peru 0 (Quarterfinals)

This was a game which till this day many suspect bribery of the Peruvian team took place; as Argentina needed to win by four goals to go on to the final instead of Brazil.

14. Brazil 2 Italy 1 (For Third Place)

This was the game which decided third place yet Brazil became the first team ever to take this position without having lost one single match during the whole tournament.

15. Argentina 3 The Netherlands 1 (Finals)

This was the first time in which a substitute player scored a goal in a final which came when Nanninga did so for Holland to tie up the game at one a piece. Another outstanding factor of this final was that Resenbrink hit the post in the last minute of the game which probably would have given Holland the title; as the match would have ended 2-1 in their favor. A fact which makes perhaps The Netherlands the team to come the closest to wining a world cup without actually doing it.  This game was also noticeable for the delay at the start when Argentina protested over an arm protection over the arm of Holland’s Rene Van Der Kerkhof which the FIFA had already approved of. The Netherlands after the game became the first second place team to refuse to participate in the medal ceremony as well as the first one to loose two finals in a row.

In conclusion I will say that sometimes it is these perhaps little stories and facts which add to great games or perhaps just make matches of less quality more memorable.

A Brief History Of “Spain 82″

The world cup Spain 82 was the second one I ever saw played live and what in my opinion was one of the greatest of all times. This being the case since it not only was the first to include 24 teams but great matches like Italy Vs Brazil, France Vs Germany, Poland Vs. France and many others in a tournament which would set the record for most goals ever scored in a world cup; breaking the record set in Switzerland 54 by two goals. The world cup in Spain was also unique in being the first and so far the only one in which 12 teams qualified to the second round. This requiring a system where these 12 teams were put in to four groups of three with the teams to come in first place in each group going on to the semifinal. In all this however Spain 82 also had two factors which were rare and one of them being that no team left the world cup without at least scoring one goal and that three teams; Italy, England and Cameroon left the tournament undefeated. As for me, personally it would be the first time I would ever see my beloved Italy win a world cup though not the last yet other moments such as the ones listed below stick out in my memory.

1. Belgium Vs Argentina (1-0) was the first time the defending champions lost in the opening match of a world cup.

2. Hungary Vs El Salvador (10-1) was the first time a team scored goals in double digits and that a player coming in off the bench (Kiss) got a hat trick.

3. Italy Vs Cameroon (1-1) was the game which qualified Italy in to the second round yet they became the first team to accomplish the feat without having won a single game.

4. Algeria Vs Germany (2-1) was the first time an African team beat a European team in a world cup match.

5. Germany Vs Austria (1-0) was a game which many suspected was fixed by both teams so they might get a result which was mutually beneficial and allow them to qualify. It being apparent in the second half that both teams were playing just to keep the score. As whenever one team took possession of the ball they would blatantly pass it between themselves without making any attempt at moving forward while the other team made no effort to take the ball away from them. This match prompting FIFA to their decision that the last two games of a group had to be play simultaneously so neither team could know which result was the most convenient.

6. France Vs Kuwait (4-1) is a game remembered for a French goal being protested by a sheik from Kuwait who came on to the field of play (despite not having any official position on the team from Kuwait) and convincing the referee to disallow a goal which had been given to France. This being a goal which was taken away from Girese.

7. England Vs France (3-1)was the game in which Robson scored the fastest goal in the history of the world cup; just 23 seconds after the start. This goal even being faster than France’s goal against Italy in the previous world cup.

8. Spain Vs Yugoslavia (2-1) was a game in which Spain tied the game at one a piece with a penalty given for a foul easily committed at least one clear meter outside the penalty box. It also being a penalty which Spain originally missed but the referee had taken again given he felt the goalkeeper moved from his line before the ball was struck. For my part I felt that they should have simply saved themselves the trouble of the charade and just given Spain the goal which is basically what they did anyway.

9. Germany Vs France (3-3) was a semifinal match which was the first time in world cup history where penalties were used to decide the outcome. It being Germany who beat out France to reach the final.

10. Italy Vs Germany (3-1) was the first time a South American (from Brazil) referee was used for a final. Also the first time a penalty was missed (Cabrini for Italy not doing the honors) in a final and that the first half finished without any goals being scored. Another first was that at no point in the match was one of the teams winning by 2-1. This being the case since Germany scored the last goal of the game which also made it the first time the loosing team scored the last goal of the match. This goal being scored by Breitner; who became the first European player to score two goals in two different finals. In this match Italy’s Graziani also became the fastest player ever to be substituted during a final; when he injured himself just seven minutes in to the game.

In conclusion I will say that sometimes it is these perhaps little stories and facts which add to great games or perhaps just make matches of less quality more memorable.

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