The Maracana. Brasil’s preemptive monument to a victory that was meant to be, should have been, so nearly was, but, thanks to Alcides Ghiggia, never became.
The 1950 World Cup was Brasil’s big break through. They had never won (never even come close) but this was their year as it was being hosted magnificently by themselves.. It was the first world cup after World War II, and today the format appears strange. Instead of a knockout, the first group stage was followed by a second, in which the winner’s of the 4 initial groups competed. This meant that the final second group stage game was effectively the final.
It was the World Cup Final we all wanted to see. The stylish Brazilians versus the tactically astute Italians. It was a borefest from the kick-off to the final whistle. Then we had the penalties and even they were a disaster but when Roberto Baggio strolled up to take his penalty the world waited in anticipation and waited for the talented Italian to stroke the ball home and give Arrigo Sacchi’s men a faint chance of capturing the 1994 World Cup. Unfortunately Baggio decided to attempt to put away the perfect penalty only to see his effort go sailing over the bar and finally we could all switch off the tv after the worst World Cup Final in the history of the world.
Something odd seemed to have happened in the 1954 World Cup, its almost as though the collective defence of all the teams present had one hell of a hangover before they took the field. The 26 matches accrued 140 goals, thats an average of 5.38 goals per match, AN AVERAGE! So we all know that Hungary lost the final to West Germany, a result that shocked many, not least because in the group stages of the competition the Mighty Magyars defeated the Germans 8-3, yes you read that correctly, 8-3!
When this incident occurred many were fooled into thinking that Rivaldo was made of twigs. How else could it be explained that a barely hit football kicked by Turkish international Hakan Unsal which made contact with the Brazilian’s legs led to the Barcelona legend clenching his head as though he was having an aneurysm.
On closer inspection, i.e. by using ones eyes and not ones toes, it was abundantly clear that a shockingly poor bit of play acting was in evidence. So bad was the acting that it was rumoured that Rivaldo was offered a role on Hollyoaks as a blond busty waitress in the hit television soap opera. Mr. Unsal still has nightmares about the Skeletor lookalike.
Think of the country North Korea, or you prefer the ironically titled Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and you will instantly be greeted with mental images of their despotic tyrant of a leader Kim Jong-il. So why not instead replace those thoughts with the incredible performance put in by the North Koreans at the 1966 World Cup where the relative unknowns managed to progress through a tough group that included the Soviet Union, Italy and Chile. In the knockout stages they incredibly took a three goal lead within the first 25 minutes against Euesbio’s Portugal, only to be beaten 5-3 at Goodison Park. Here is the nation’s defining achievement of the tournament as they valiantly defeated Italy at Ayresome Park.
Without wishing to come over all Danny Baker on the game of football, there are some moments of sheer wonder that transcend the game as we know it. They are rare instances where something happens on the field of play that has no rightful reason to be taking place. An occurrence that makes you do a double, or even triple, take. The kind of trick or flash of brilliance that makes even those with no interest in the football (and there are some weirdos who really don’t care for the beautiful game at all) marvel at.
This is Pele at his best. You could call it cheeky or even a case of showboating, and indeed you would just shout abuse at any other lesser exponent of the game who attempted to copy this. In many ways the fact that this trick didn’t quite succeed only seems to make it even more of a delight to watch, as though in some way the fact that the Brazilian failed to score proves that perfection is in many ways a lofty peak no one can ever reach.
Ramón Quiroga, Peru’s keeper at the 1978 World Cup, was born in Argentina. We can discuss at length whether he was bribed to concede a great many goals in this crucial match or whether it was in fact his back line who were offered a large sum of money to run around like headless chickens, but instead of discussing these issues why not sit back and watch as we watch a succession of very soft goals end Brazil’s dream of reaching the World Cup Final. Take a note of just how many Peruvians are present in the box for every goal and take a close look as not one of them attempts to actually prevent yet another goal.
You will be hard pressed to find a more surreal incident in World Cup memory, or indeed in the history of the game at any level at any time in history, than this one. Quite what Zaire defender Ilunga Mwepu was thinking when he ran from the defensive wall and clattered the ball 60 yards down the pitch is still unknown. You can see how the referee and all those around Mwepu look genuinely shocked at what has just transpired. Defenders up and down the country in Sunday league matches no doubt repeated this trick to comic effect the following weekend!
If ever you wanted to see just what an impact on the human brain scoring an all important goal can have then this would be your best example. Putting away the crucial second goal that helped secure Italy the 1982 World Cup against West Germany the then Juventus midfielder was clearly pleased, so pleased that he appears to have lost control of his bodily functions and a legend was born. Side note, this goal also made sure that violent cheats never prosper as the resultant 3-1 Italian win helped make sure Harald “I just assaulted a Frenchman” Schumacher didn’t win a World Cup winners medal.
anonymous802761 wrote on Ryan Giggs Signs New Man United Contract (1):Dont want to say it but I think he should of retired at the nd of this season,hes been poor for the last couple of seasons by his standard. Until Giggs Scholes (again) retire we...
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