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World Cup 1986

Despite being aware of 1978's jamboree in Argentina and watching the 1982 version in Spain, I think that the 1986 World Cup in Mexico (the third Spanish speaking host on the bounce) is the one that I remember following most closely. I was 16 and in the middle of my 'O' Levels. With the late starts for many of the games I was very grateful that we were minding a video recorder for the weeks that it was on - as was the fashion of the time!

Originally due to be held in Colombia, the event was switched to Mexico because of the difficult internal situation in Colombia at the time. So Mexico became the first team to host the World Cup twice, following on from their 1970 tournament.

The number of teams taking part was kept at 24, but the format of the tournament was changed following the 1982 World Cup in Spain. This time there would be 6 groups of four, to be followed by rounds of 16, 8, 4, 2 and the final and third place play-off. The sixteen would be the top two in each group plus the 4 best third placed teams. UK qualifiers were Northern Ireland, Scotland (after seeing off Wales in the European groups and then Australia in the play off between Europe and Oceania) and England.

First Round

There were a few surprises in the first round, probably most notably, the performance of Morocco in winning group F, England's group. England qualified in second place, after poor performances against Portugal (0-1) and Morocco (0-0) before redemption came versus Poland (Gary Lineker's hat-trick in a 3-0 win). Poland also qualified as a best third place team. The other groups went pretty much to form, with Argentina and Italy being joined by Bulgaria from group A (Maradona was already on fire - more of which later). Mexico and Paraguay were joined by Belgium from group B. Group C saw the USSR and Franc exert far too much power of Hungary and Canada (in their first World Cup). Brazil and Spain qualified from group D - Northern Ireland and Algeria's single points coming in their meeting with each other.

And finally, Scotland's wretched run in the first round of World Cup finals continued as they were eliminated from the group of death. Denmark were already comfortable before the last two games saw them play West Germany and Scotland up against Uruguay. All three had a chance to qualify and as their group finished last they knew exactly what was needed. West Germany lost to Denmark, but qualified anyway with 3 points, whilst in their game with Scotland, Uruguay knew that a point would see them through. Scotland needed a win and they would be through. No chance! Uruguay started as they meant to go on - Jose Batista creating a World Cup record by getting sent off inside 60 seconds for a foul on Gordon Strachan. The game ended in a very disappointing 0-0 which saw Scotland go out.

Second Round - Round of 16

The Second Round saw some great contests. Perhaps the best game was the seven goal thriller between Belgium and the USSR - the Belgians a.e.t. won courtesy of Nico Claesen's goal and despite Igor Belanov's hat-trick. European Champions France put paid to Italy's dreams of retaining the trophy in a 2-0 win, whilst in another all European tie, we saw a mini shock as Spain thumped Denmark 5-1 - Emlio Butragueño announcing himself on the world stage with four of the five goals. England and Brazil both enjoyed comfortable progress versus Paraguay (3-0) and Poland (4-0) respectively. Finally, West Germany were given a real run for their money by Morocco, the Europeans coming through 1-0 with a Lothar Matthaus goal in the 87^th minute.

Quarter Finals

Of the four Quarter Finals, three games went to penalty shootouts, whilst the other is one of the most talked about football matches in the entire history of the game. Hosts Mexico played out a scoreless draw with West Germany before losing their nerve to lose the shootout 4-1 having missed 2 out of the 3 that they took. In a titanic power struggle between Europe and South America, France and Brazil played to a 1-1 draw before the French were too accurate from the spot, winning 4-3. Another 1-1 draw in the all Europe tie between Belgium and Spain was followed by a 5-4 victory in the shoot out for Belgium.

In the Azteca Stadium, Mexico City Argentina and England were set to play each other for the first time since the Falklands War of 1982. Coupled with memories of the Battle of Wembley from 1966, this game was charged before a ball was kicked. What happened during the game was just the spark to the petrol. At half time the score was 0-0 although Shilton was the busier of the two keepers. After 51 minutes everything changed. Maradona had made a run into the England penalty box - more in hope than expectation, but a scuffed clearance meant that he was in a one v one against Shilton. Of course the great Shilts had the twin advantages of a) about 7 inches and b) the right to be able to use his hands, but Maradona thought better and using his left hand, punched the ball over Shilton and into the England goal. Despite English objections the goal stood, so 1-0 to Argentina.

Four minutes later he was at it again. Only this time, there was no disputing the validity of the goal, or the efficacy of Maradona. Taking a pass from Hector Enrique inside his own half, Maradona proceeded to run past about thirty Englishmen (alright it was only 4) before running round Shilton to make it 2-0. I remember Barry Davies's BBC commentary - something along the lines of 'Oh, you have to say that's magnificent.' (That's how you do it, Jonathan Pearce). But the game wasn't finished. The late Bobby Robson still had wingers Chris Waddle and John Barnes on the bench and after 64 and 74 minutes respectively, he brought them on. Barnes's impact was the greater as after 80 minutes he crossed for Lineker to score his sixth goal (and therefore to win the Golden Boot) and minutes later he repeated the feat only for Lineker's lack of inches to see his header go over the bar. So that was it, Agentina 2-1 England - all played out in 90 minutes of drama in front of a crowd of 115,000.

Semi Finals

A slightly lopsided line up with three European teams and Argentina. In the battle of the old enemies West Germany easily defeated France 2-0 with goals from Brehme and Voller. A similar scoreline saw Argentina see off Belgium with you-know-who grabbing both goals one of them simply stunning, almost like he'd just been warming up against England.

World Cup Final 1986

It's strange and maybe true, but this was a great game of football, yet it seems oddly anti-climactic. Yes, Argentina were two up and cruising when Karl Heinz Rummenigge pulled one back on 74 minutes, and it was 2-2 minutes later when Rudi Voller scored, and then 3-2 when Jorge Burruchaga scored the winner, but the real high point of this tournament was a week previous as Diego Armando Maradona had cemented his place as one of the two greatest players of all time.