A True World Cup: 24 teams at England '66

[Kurt_Steiner]

Algeria vs Australia

England vs Spain

Scotland vs Wales

Hungary vs Argentina

Yugoslavia vs Belgium

Northern Ireland vs France

Brazil vs Soviet Union

Czechoslovakia vs Japan

 

[helvet3]

I think either Brazil or France are going to win this.
As for your future plans,

Spoiler

I'm all for keeping Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia united in the future. While avoiding the separation of Czechia and Slovakia would be easy, avoiding the breakup of Yugoslavia is harder, but not impossible. Still, a good World Cup run wouldn't be enough to keep the country united, since it wouldn't solve the issue of the federal structure of the state and the current economic downturn. Furthermore, while it's possible to keep Yugoslavia as a federal liberal democracy after 1989, a return of the monarchy would not only be less likely than getting hit by a meteor, it'd be so unpopular that it would mean the certain death of the union.

 

[QTXAdsy]

I think either Brazil or France are going to win this.
As for your future plans,

Spoiler

I'm all for keeping Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia united in the future. While avoiding the separation of Czechia and Slovakia would be easy, avoiding the breakup of Yugoslavia is harder, but not impossible. Still, a good World Cup run wouldn't be enough to keep the country united, since it wouldn't solve the issue of the federal structure of the state and the current economic downturn. Furthermore, while it's possible to keep Yugoslavia as a federal liberal democracy after 1989, a return of the monarchy would not only be less likely than getting hit by a meteor, it'd be so unpopular that it would mean the certain death of the union.

Thanks for your suggestions, any idea you might have as to how I could make it work would be welcomed in a PM. Next update will hopefully be soon.

 

[QTXAdsy]

1982 FIFA WORLD CUP
Part 2
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It wouldn't be long after the last group games that the knockout stage would begin in earnest. The Group stage had brought up a number of shocks and with the last 16 brought up a number of unlikely fixtures and no more strange where they than in the opening match between Algeria and Australia. Following their stunning success in the group, many thousands of Algerians had made the journey across the Mediterranean sea to Barcelona while a few Australians had made a long and daring journey from the other side of the World in the hope of seeing their team repeating their heroics in Brazil.

The Algerian team prior to the kick off with Australia
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While their opponents might've had a slight advantage and were favourites to go through, the African side had a lot support behind them with the Camp Nou filled with green that was there for Algeria. With that in mind, Algeria had nothing to lose and gave the Socceroos a game and it would be Algeria that opened the scoring in the second half, however Australia would get back in the game with a equaliser though neither could find a winner and the game went into extra time.

The Australian team after they scored
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In extra time, Algeria began to really come into their own during the game and they would stun Australia when they scored their second that sent their fans in the stadium and many more in their home country to celebrate like they nothing they thought possible and they would hang on to a victory that would make them the first African side to ever reach the last eight of the World Cup.

The Underdog team that everyone wanted to see go through had done it and this wasn't just in Algeria they celebrate, African celebrated for what they felt was the start of more success to follow, question now was could they go all the way? For Australia, it was a dismal defeat and they made the long journey home and wonder what were they going to do to get better from this though for now, they had to let Algeria celebrate their moment of joy.

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Later that day, Yugoslavia would take on Belgium and this would be quite a difficult match to decide on who would win as both had been rather ropey in the group stage, mostly with Yugoslavia. However this was a good chance for one of them to finally find some forum and as the game started, Belgium looked the more promising though despite seeing much of the ball, they failed to get a shot on target and this would get worse when Yugoslavia opened the scoring in the 24th minute.

Things would get worse as Yugoslavia scored another just after half time and they even though Belgium got back with a goal, their opponents struck back with a goal which in the end an two-face Yugoslavian team managed to win 3-1 in a result that not many expected and suddenly Yugoslavia were in their first Quarter-final since 1962, almost exactly twenty years prior.

One Yugoslav play during the game
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The Belgians were left in disarray and weren't quite sure what to know what had just happened and they just nothing else to do than to make a hasty exit from Spain. With that already, two unlikely teams were already in the last eight and now the question now was who else were to join them?

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The following day saw Northern Ireland were making their return to the knockout stage for the first time since 1958 which just happened to be the French [1] and in a rather strange set of circumstances, they were back again ready to play to see who would go further. Those hoping for an upset were to be left empty handed as poor Northern Ireland would be ripped apart in a stunning performance by the French in which after 70 minutes would have them cruising at 3-0 up and heading onwards for the final.

Northern Ireland vs France in 1982
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The plucky Irish would score in the 75th minute which seemed to give them a slim chance of hope, however the French scored a fourth and final goal which would spell the end of Northern Ireland's run in Spain [2]. As bad as a loss it was for the Ulstermen, they had done their little nation proud by being the smallest country at that World Cup to reach the knockout stage and they returned home as heroes and they could look back on with great fondness as to what had been a fun adventure.

For France, now the hard work really would begin as there lay bigger teams ahead...

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That evening would see Spain and England lock horns in Madrid and after Spain's bad loss to Northern Ireland in the group stage, they didn't want another British team to not only give them grief but also potentially dumped them out of the World Cup in their own backyard so that meant the pressure was on. It would be a stuffy game that would follow in which neither side seemed to make a breakthrough for about 80 minutes of the game and there was a feeling that extra time might be looming.

England attempt to find a loose ball in order to find a late winner.
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It would be here in the last ten minutes that England's experience in previous World Cup's would help them as about five minutes from the end, Trevor Francis would header downwards a shot that went in the back of the Spanish net and would not only get the breakthrough for England but also dump the host nation out of their own World Cup [3]. It was a sad ending for the host nation who felt they had a chance of going all the way but alas that was the end of the road.

For England, their team had now gained a great deal of respect to think about their chances and for now they had the hope that they would be able to go on a good run to go further in the World Cup and try and do one better than winning third place at the World Cup, Surely experience would help them get the line this time now?

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The day after saw an all British affair in Seville with Scotland taking on Wales with the latter being in the Knockout stage for the first time since 1958. Oddly, it was the first time that all the British Home Nations had managed to get into the second round during a World Cup, however it was looking to be an uphill struggle for Wales as tradition had shown Scotland always getting the better of the Welsh and Scotland were made the favourites to go through.

Scotland vs Wales in 1982
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From the get go, Scotland would dominate the game and it would be Dalglish would open the scoring for Scotland barely after 15 minutes of play. However the Welsh weren't going to give up so easily and that goal would actually make Wales come into their own during the game in which by the time the first half ended 1-0 to Scotland, the Scots were quite lucky to hold onto that score with how much Wales had been trying to score.

During the second half, Wales would get their reward with a sweet volley from Rush and the game became a tense affair with perhaps Wales finally about to get a big victory over the Scots at last. However Welsh hearts would be broken in which just eight minutes before the end would see Scotland score the winner that would see them move onwards to the Quarter-finals. In some ways many felt a little bit sorry for the Welsh for trying so hard yet coming up short, however they would return home as heroes and much was now being said for the Welsh clubs in England to return 'home' for a new Welsh league...[4]

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One thing that is always certain no matter how good or mixed the team might be is that Brazil are always one of the favourites to win the cup and in Malaga the South American giants would see off the Soviet Union, however this wasn't before the Soviets scored first in the 34th minute and throughout most of the game the Brazilians struggled to get back in the game and an upset was looming. That was until in the last fifteen minutes that Brazil would score twice to ultimately knock the Soviets out and progress for the Quarter-finals [5].

Brazil vs USSR in Malaga
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While for most of the Brazilians, it was good to see their side make it through it had shown that once again there were moments that their team might've been taking things too lightly and that they would have to pull themselves together if they were going to prove the hype that they were the team to beat.

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Not much was expected of Hungary when they prepared to take on Argentina and the end result would prove to be what many thought as Argentina would destroy the Hungarians 4-1 with the Hungarian goal coming near the end which proved to be nothing more than a mere consolation goal [6]. The match itself would see the young Diego Maradona come into his own after make a few cameo roles at the last World Cup and he would score twice during this game.

Argentina vs Hungary in the last 16
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While they had been rather a disappointment in 1978, there was feelings across Argentina that 1982 would be their year as now they were going make sure that they weren't going to let the chance to win the World Cup pass them by this time though there was the feeling that they might be under some pressure that could work against them if not too careful...

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To say the final last 16 match would be a mismatch would be an understatement, it would have the more experience Czechoslovakian team taking on an in experience Japan team who in truth had nothing to lose as their first World Cup had gone better than what anyone had dared hope it would. To perhaps no one's surprise, the Czechs would rip apart the Asian team 4-0, two goals being scored in each half, which would see the Czechs go forward into the last eight.

The Czechoslovakian team before the game with Japan
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While the European team might've been clear winners here, it was Japan who would celebrate more as they returned home to a hero's welcome and a sign that football was now really becoming a true global sport and who was to say before the end of the century that maybe, just maybe, that an Asian team were might get the chance to not only host a World Cup but maybe even win it...?

Nonetheless, it would soon be time for the Quarter-finals and it as always, the tougher games would begin...

Final results of the last 16 of the 1982 World Cup

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• [1] Funny coincidence that the two should meet again in the knockout stage like this.​
• [2] Game is pretty much the same as OTL.​
• [3] England do slightly better here as the OTL result was a 0-0 result, with a bit more experience in playing in two World Cups before it gives them the edge here.​
• [4] If you've read 'All To Play For', you might know where this is going... ​
• [5] Same result as OTL.​
• [6] Same result as OTL.​

So there we are, think you were expecting the results as such. Anyway, Quarter-final fixtures as such:
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Algeria vs England

Scotland vs Argentina

Yugoslavia vs France

Brazil vs Czechoslovakia
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So then, hope you are enjoying TTL's 1982 and do you think we'll see a team from outside Europe and South America getting their hands on the cup? Until then, look out for the next update!

 

[MatthewFirth]

Algeria vs England

Scotland vs Argentina

Yugoslavia vs France

Brazil vs Czechoslovakia

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Algeria vs England

Scotland vs Argentina

Yugoslavia vs France

Brazil vs Czechoslovakia

 

[QTXAdsy]

1982 FIFA WORLD CUP
Part 3
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Over two days, the Quarter-Finals would be played and the opening match would be with England and Algeria, the latter being the team many wanted to try and go all the way and perhaps put Africa's foot in the last four the first time. Despite those hoping for such a thing to happen, standing in their way was England who had the advantage of not only having the players many thought would win the game, but that there was also the fact they had an extra day of rest compared to Algeria, plus it didn't help that Algeria had to play extra time. Millions of Algerins watched the game live and with the game being a day before Algerian Independence Day as well as the 20th anniversary of said independence, there was a lot riding on this.

The Algerian team for the Quarter-Final with England
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The first half would actually be quite a frantic game as Algeria showed their opponents that they didn't fear them and even gave them a few scares with an attempt on goal that was saved in the 23rd minute. However this defence could only last as long as it could've done and England would finally break through in the 38th minute thanks to Trevor Francis which would see England go in at the break leading 1-0.

During the second half, the momentum had swung in England's favour thanks to that goal and Algeria were now starting to look a little bit ragged and England would double their lead thanks to Woodcock in the 64th minute which looked like that would be the game for England. However Algeria would get a goal back some five minutes later which might've caused an unlikely comeback for the Africans, however Woodcock would score his second and England's third in the 77th minute which finally put an end to Algeria's brave adventure [1].

England players celebrate on the goal that sends England through to the Semi-Finals.
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Despite their loss, Algeria had made Africa proud and had proven to the world that expansion in this World Cup had been the right choice as now it looked like the door was open for other nations to take Algeria's lead and see if they could go all the way. For Algeria, they returned home as heroes and their brave run did make many think that it would be an African team winning the World Cup by the end of the century. Who was to doubt that thought after Algeria? [2]

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Later that evening, it would Argentina taking on Scotland and to some, it was clearly going to be a walkover for the South American giants, however this Scotland team was stacked with talent [3] and were willing to give La Albiceleste a game despite most of the crowd in the Camp Nou cheering on the Argentines despite the Tartan Army having a lot of the stadium.

The game would see Argentina start well with Scotland clearly the second best team on the pitch and looked to score soon. However a mistake in the Argentine defence saw John Wark breakthrough on the counter to strike home a goal that saw Scotland lead the game against the run of play and a fear went around many people in Argentina that another Quarter-Final exit was about to happen yet again.

Wark after he helped Scotland take the lead
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However Scotland's joy would be short lived as a few minutes before the end, Maradona would fire in Argentina's equaliser and it felt that normal service had resumed and as it went to half time, Scotland found themselves under the cosh. It did feel like that it would only be a matter time in the second half that Scotland would give away another goal if Argentina kept on pressing for a goal.

As expected, it wouldn't take long for the South American team to take the lead thanks to a goal from Ardiles in the 64th minute that would the only goal in the second half as Argentina didn't do too much and spent all of the half keeping the Scots out as Scotland tried everything they could to get a goal back but in the end came up short as Argentina held on to progress to the last four.

The Argentine team after taking the lead over Scotland
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It was a frustrating end for Scotland but truth be told was that the Quarter-Finals was where the Scotland team were likely to finish up and that the better team had won. Now the question was could Argentina get into the final if they could beat whoever awaited them in the final?

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The day after would see the other two ties with Yugoslavia and France up first. It would be a rough game as despite looking like an attractive team, the French were being constantly not able to get into their stride due to the rough play of their Yugoslavian opponents and the game would see a number of fouls being taking place with it looking clear that the idea was to take the game to extra time and maybe onwards to penalties.

A Yugoslav player on the ball during the Quarter-Final
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Despite how flawed this idea might've been, it worked as Yugoslavia dragged and pulled this French side all the way to extra time and even during that period, France just could not find a way through a stubborn Yugoslav defence. However it would be a penalty from Platini in the 113th minute that finally gave the French a much deserved lead and finally the victory which brought an end to Yugoslavia's World Cup run.

French players celebrate their victory
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France, who had never been this far since 1958, were now looking like one of the favourites for the World Cup now, however there was a question of that after such a gruelling game of extra time, could they be fully fit for the Semi-Final?

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The final Quarter-Final would bring together Brazil and Czechoslovakia together in what was in fact a reunion in time for what was the 20th anniversary of the final then which had seen them face each other back then. Though the Czechs had a fairly decent team to boot, Brazil was always Brazil and everyone had them down to win the game and many wouldn't have to wait long until the 25th minute when Zico helped Brazil get the lead. However the game wasn't going to be all plain sailing for the favourites.

The Czech team lined up before the game with Brazil
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For all of the first half and for the start of the second half, Brazil were clearly the better team however they had only scored once which wasn't that comforting for the supporters and this lack of goals would be what Czechoslovakia needed to get a goal back in the 59th minute and it was here that Brazil found themselves under pressure for most of the second half with the plucky Czechs looking a better side yet couldn't find another goal and the game went into extra time.

Extra time would be a true thriller as after a tense opener, Czechoslovakia shocked Brazil by getting a goal in the 97th minute and looked like the team was going to be the dark horse. However this would be short lived as not long later and in quick succession, the Brazilians answered back with two goals which not long helped them regained the lead but saw them win the game and move onwards to the last four.

Happy Brazilian players celebrate after they win in extra time
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A game not many gave the European side a chance had brought up perhaps the most thrilling game of the tournament and had shown that the Brazilians could work under pressure and comeback from what could be grim circumstances. The Czech team returned home with their heads high by being the team that had given Brazil a major fright and now they could focus on doing well for next time.

With that game, all Quarter-Finals were played and the last four now contained Argentina, Brazil, England and France. A pretty stacked last four by all accounts and now the World Cup could become tense with no one knowing how it might end up. In a few days on two barmy Spanish evenings, the two Semi-Finals would be settled for a place in the final.

Final results of the 1982 Quarter-Finals

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• [1] Algeria not only do far better than what they got in OTL, they also get to the last eight a whole eight years earlier for African sides an you can see how the football landscape is looking different here now.​
• [2] Speaking of eight years later, England play an African team eight years earlier though without much drama.​
• [3] How this Scotland team didn't do better than what they should've done in OTL 1982 stuns me...​

There we are, think you expected those results as such and no real surprise there; anyway as always:
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England vs Argentina

France vs Brazil
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Damn, what a last four that is. Who will win? Another question as with the regards to Algeria, how do you think that following an earlier Cameroon like run, how do you think African teams will be treated ITTL with say perhaps more respect and not there to make up numbers? Going to be interesting when we get to 1986 to see how African teams do there. Until then, stay tuned!

 

[MatthewFirth]

England vs Argentina

France vs Brazil

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

England vs Argentina

France vs Brazil

 

[QTXAdsy]

1982 FIFA WORLD CUP
Part 4
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The last four of the 1982 World Cup would all be decided on penalties, but that wasn't all saying that the two Semi-Finals were drab affairs, quite the opposite, they would go down as two of the great World Cup games ever in terms of thrills, goals and controversy. The first Semi-Final in front of a packed crowd at Camp Nou would see England and Argentina fight it out for a place in the last four and memories of the 1966 'robbery' by the Argentine media were all the rage in the build up [1].

Regardless, what followed was a truly eyewatering game which started off with Maradona getting a goal in the 17th minute before less that ten minutes later that Bryan Robson would come up and score to make the game level. The game itself could've seen two more goals for either team if it weren't for rather questionable refereeing from the Israeli referee which saw said goals disallowed.

England vs Argentina at Camp Nou, 1982
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Both sides would really go for it yet nether could find a winner in ninety minutes and the game went into extra time. What followed would be a dramatic game as in the 92nd and 98th minute, Woodcock would fire England into a 3-1 lead thanks to quickfire goals which looked like they were going into the final, however Argentina would not give up and two quickfire goals from them would tie the game at 3-3 and this dramatic game would now move onto penalties.

It would be here however that the start of England's penalty woes would begin [2] as two misses from Wilkins and Thompson would hand Argentina the victory which they won 5-4 on spot kicks and saw them make their first final since 1930 and England had once again fallen short. For one Maradona who remembered as a young boy when England beat Argentina in 1966, the sight of him showing emotion of what he felt was justice was seen by all.

During the closing minutes of extra time
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As Argentina celebrated what was perhaps one of the greatest World Cup victories they had managed to pull off, the English were too exhausted after such a game and would've perhaps wanted to go home but had to play one more game, yet another third-place match, though it was unclear if they had the stomach for a game. For their victorious opponents, Argentina would descend on the Spanish capital in what was what they felt was a long, overdue victory.

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After such a dramatic match, few wonder if the next Semi-Final game with France and Brazil the following evening would match such a game. Many had Brazil, as ever, as the favourites to join their South American rivals in the final though that was perhaps a little bit unfair on their opponents who had talent that could perhaps match Brazil and in some alternate universe, this might've been the dream final for many [3].

The game would be quite a tight affair in which neither side found a way to break through and compared to the frantic game before, this felt quite poor with many people who were expecting goals to flow were perhaps wondering when things would finally start. Neither side would find the back of the net in the first half and the players would walk off to the sound of whistles and jeers from a mostly Spanish crowd who wanted action.

France vs Brazil in the Semi-Final
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The deadlock would finally be broken in the 67th minute after a French defence mishap and it looked like Brazil would start adding more goals to give them distance between them and the French. However the French would not give up and tension started to mount as the lead remained slender and France began to push Brazil into their own half and it would be the very last minute of added time that the French won a corner and their star man, Platini, would header in a goal that sent a nation into delirium and another covering their eyes in horror. The game now went into extra time...

With the shock of losing that late goal, Brazil now looked weak and unable to regain their composure and all the talk of this Brazilian side being the real deal was begin to look foolish and the game would go all the way to penalties and this would be a rare event for the Brazil team as they may have won games, but could they win on a shootout? The answer would be a 'no'; France would win the shootout 4-3 and a great upset had happened which would see France move into their first final [4].

Platini after scoring his late goal near the end of the game
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Much like with England, Brazil now had the task of playing in a third-place match themselves but with how they felt, they were gutted and wanted to go home to lick their wounds. The French now would face Argentina in a final in which regardless who won would see a new name on the cup, question now was who would it be when the two teams met in Madrid in a few days time...

Final results of 1982 Semi-Final

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• [1] Look back on 1966 ITTL.​
• [2] As a rule up to at least 2018, England suffers from penalty woes! ​
• [3] TBH, that would've been a great final to see...​
• [4] France get to the final which they should've gotten two plus one certain player doesn't suffer a horrendous injury...​

There we are, two madcap Semi-Finals which would've been something to have seen. Anyway we are now near the end of 1982 and 1986 is getting closer and we will get a new host as well as some off field events...however I'm getting ahead of myself.

Until then, stay tuned for the final update of 1982!

 

[QTXAdsy]

1982 FIFA WORLD CUP
Part 5
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After the two dramatic Semi-Final games, many felt that they weren't going to top them with both the Third-Place match and Final with much drama those two games had contained. It would later seem that such thoughts were going to be proven right during the Third-Place game with England and Brazil and this wasn't down to the fact that the two didn't have a rivalry per say due to the amount of times they had faced each other, but rather they were sick to the teeth of playing each other over the last few World Cups in a row [1].

England prior to the match with Brazil
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The game itself would not only be a let down compared the Semi-Finals, but just a turgid game in general in which both sides looked like they didn't want to be there which wasn't helped that this was merely a pointless game in which most didn't really care and the fact both had been left tried after their last games all added to it. That said though, England did actually look the better team due to having the better chances throughout and hit the crossbar twice in the first half alone. A far cry to how this Brazilian team were really like.

However despite these chances, England were sloppy in their finishing and thus couldn't find the back of the net in either half and as the game reached into the finally twenty minutes with neither side finding a way through, surely this pointless game wasn't going to go to extra time or penalties. Thankfully for Brazil, and frustrating for England, Brazil would find the back of the net with what would be the winning goal that saw Brazil win the rather awful game.

One happy Leandro celebrates after Brazil win the Third-Place match
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Though it was a game that many weren't going to look back on with any great regard, though many felt that this Brazilian team with all that talent deserved better however the Third-Place medal was mere small consolation and they had at least gotten something out of this World Cup [2]. For England, they now had one certain Bobby Robson taking over as manager for them and who knows how well he might be able to do for England?

Final result of 1982 Third-Place match

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With the Third-Place game being such a poor game, many hope that the final would be much better affair and it would a unique match up with Argentina and France, the former playing in their first final since 1930 [3] and France having never played a final before. Either way, a new name would be carved on the trophy and for many who wanted this, it was looking to be (hopefully) an exciting affair.

The French team for the final with Argentina
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The game would get off to a flyer in the 12th minute when Platini came up to score first which certainly threw the cat among the pigeons which might've caused a scare for Argentina. However that man, Diego Maradona, would respond by score soon after to bring the game level and despite both sides going for it, the first half ended 1-1. That said, it was a far better game that that Third-Place game before.

The second half would see more goals happen with Maradona scoring in the 57th minute that helped Argentina turn the game around for them and it looked like that would be it, however it got better in the 72nd minute when Ardiles scored the third goal for Argentina that seemed to confirm that the World Cup was going to Argentina for the first time at long last. France would get a goal back towards the game though it was nothing more than a consolation goal and thus, Argentina were champions of 1982.

The victorious Maradona with the cup
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All in all, it had been an excellent game and for first timers, France hadn't done too badly though fell apart against a team that really wanted it more [4]. Across Argentina, it was celebrations as not only was it their first World Cup victory, but also just two days after their Independence day, plus a whole year following the collapse of the Junta [5] which made the victory all the more sweeter and now they hoped with the team in mind they could defend it for 1986 in Columbia .At least, that was the plan at first...

But that was for later, the present saw that the expansion to 32 teams had been a success and it was decided that this would be the standard for now and talks of further expansion were pretty much eliminated. Though who knows...?

Final result of the 1982 World Cup Final

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• [1] You would be sick to death of seeing each other in the World Cup all the time if know what I mean by this point.​
• [2] In contrast to OTL in which the Brazil team of that year came away with nothing, here things are a little better for them.​
• [3] Argentina never get to the '78 final here and France get to a final much earlier than OTL.​
• [4] Argentina only fell apart after hearing the news of the Falklands War victory, plus being in such a group of death with Brazil and Italy. No Falklands War here helps a lot.​
• [5] The Junta still falls apart though earlier here, without a World Cup victory in 1978 and no Falklands War, it still doesn't end well for them. Plus I haven't gotten into the state of British politics without said war.​

There we are, 1982 has ended and Argentina finally get their hands on the cup. If you've read 'All To Play For' this score line does seem the same before the retcon, speaking of which I need to get back to it to fix a few things that are long overdue. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this WC and here are the teams for 1986:

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Now I know you're thinking that not only is it different with expanded teams and different host this time, but also many teams, mostly from Europe who qualified in OTL don't here but why? With the former you know why by now but for the other two points...well, find out as we go to the United States and and early return for the Americans to the WC ITTL

See you next time!

 

[MatthewFirth]

Colombia were due to host OTL but withdrew, does this still happen ITL, and if so, obviously a revote somehow favours the USA instead of Mexico?

 

[Grootson]

Keep it up QTXAdsy! The timeline's looking great. Now onto the final standings and the map of results:

Final standings

Map of results

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[QTXAdsy]

1986 FIFA WORLD CUP
Part 1
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When the World Cup was agreed to be expanded to 32 teams, it would had several side effects to it which meant more stadiums being needed with the job in mind. While Spain had more or less the stadiums needed for the task in mind, things would start to become more problematic as soon as Columbia was awarded to host the 1986 World Cup. Despite having high hopes to put on a good show, it would turn out that they had bitten off more than they could chew as combined the much needed teams needed as well as economic concerns the country was going through, it was decided on the 5th November 1982 that they would decline to host the World Cup and on the 20th May the following year after a vote to be new hosts which came down between Argentina, Mexico, Canada and the United States, the latter would get to host it much to everyone's shock[1].

The chose to award the World Cup to the United States, which at that time had no real professional league to speak of and wasn't even a football, or rather soccer, minded country seemed like a strange one however there would be a number of factors which one was that the United States who not only had the stadiums already in place that were used for American football teams but that having the World Cup coming to America would have some major effects in bring football, or rather soccer, to greater audience and the appeal of the US dollar [2]. Some though were felt that FIFA was more interested in money in which the loudest criticism came from the organisers of the Argentine bid who felt that they were in much better shape to host it compared to the embarrassment of being stripped of it in 1978 and that the United States was not right for it. Argentina would get it's chance later on but that's another story...[3]

The expansion had seen many nations that might had no previously been interested in football had now taken a great deal more interest in the game and the United States were no different with games being shown live during the 1978 World Cup and interest had only grown by the time the following World Cup had taken off Stateside so the timing to host the World Cup seemed perfect for FIFA to help interest in the sport to grow further [4].

Venues of the 1986 World Cup
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While this all sounded good, having the United States as the host did bring up question about if there might be boycott of nations seen as such the Olympic games in 1984 which the Untied States had also hosted and with that still fresh in the mind, would lightning strike twice? However despite these fears, the Warsaw Pact nations stated that they would still go regardless and this was during a period in which Perestroika was taking effect with relations between the United States and Soviet Union starting to look friendly and hoped that there wouldn't another boycott.

Indeed, the idea of having football teams from the Warsaw Pact playing on American soil was felt that it would be a watershed moment to show that the Cold War might've been coming to end and with the Soviet Union, Hungary, Poland and Bulgaria qualifying, it felt that this could be special. More amazing was during the draw in December, which took place in New York's Madison Square Garden, in which despite rumours that FIFA would keep the United States and Soviet Union apart in the draw, they were drawn together in the same group which the audience gathered gasped then applauded and this could be something very special.

However some felt that it was all a little bit too perfect and on the 15th April, a month before the World Cup was due to start, the United States bombed Libya [5] which drew much criticism from the international community, especially those from the Warsaw Pact who then made the shock announcement that they would be boycotting the World Cup which brought the whole tournament into chaos and many wonder if this World Cup was cursed from the moment that Columbia were awarded it.

It was a blow in East-West relations and also FIFA had a problem to try and fill in vacant spots for nations that will willing to take part in what was pretty much a repeat of the 1950 edition in which many nations dropped out from competing [6]. However it was later found out that the bombing had proved to be a perfect excuse for those nations not to attend as secretly, many of those nations didn't really want to go and thus it felt all that hard work had been for nothing, however the good news was unlike the 1950 World Cup which saw an odd number of teams, there were many teams happy to fill the spot left vacant.

The teams of the 1986 World Cup after new teams take the place of the boycotting nations
​

UEFA would see the most teams to replace as taking the place of the Soviets, Poles, Hungarians and Bulgarians would be Yugoslavia, Wales, Netherlands and Switzerland, all of whom had failed to qualify and were more than happy to fill the gaps left. The other team that had to be replaced was Libya who despite having qualified, had dropped out for obvious reasons and so Ghana, the team that had been beaten by Libya in the final round of qualification [7] would go in Libya's place. However because of the late timing for these nations to get ready, some felt that they wouldn't be prepared and to prevent from another redraw which would've caused headaches, the teams were placed depending on their ranking such as Yugoslavia taking the the USSR's place.

While this crises had been averted and the football could begin, it was widely known by many that FIFA were left furious by the boycott and many felt that had the Soviet Union been awarded to host the 1990 World Cup instead of Italy [8] then it could've been a case of them being stripped of hosting rights and given to Italy regardless. In hindsight, the 1986 would have the most dramatic build-up for all the wrong reasons though the idea of the United States and the Soviet Union playing in the same group would be the ultimate 'what if moment to many...

However despite all the madness behind the scenes, it was finally time to begin the 1986 World Cup.

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Argentina vs Australia in the opening match of the World Cup
​

From Pasadena, the opening ceremony would be a colourful occasion which the Americans put on a show for the world to see as after that, Argentina and Australia would play in the opening match in which despite being heavily outgunned, the Australians only lost 2-1 and would sneak into second place with a victory over Belgium and a draw with South Korea which once again, the Socceroos and had it to the knockout stages once again.

For Argentina, the world champions would dominate the group with victories over Belgium and South Korea to top the group and unlike the West Germans in the last World Cup, they didn't make an humiliating early exit and showed their worth in the hope of defending their crown and with the talent of on certain Maradona, they did feel like they could do just that.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment was Belgium who despite looking quite promising in the qualifying rounds would fall at the first round with the second game loss with Australia being their downfall. Nonetheless the group was largely how many felt it would go, though all eyes would be on the champions for obvious reasons...

Final rounds of Group A of World Cup 1986
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The Portugal team prior to the game with the USA
​

When the draw was made, it would have seen the United States and Soviet Union in the same group which caused a stir to say the least, however it also featured Libya and a cruel irony saw them being bombed and thus both them and the USSR would withdraw and in their places saw Yugoslavia and Ghana fill the gaps. The only side that didn't drop out was Portugal, though it turns out that despite being more prepared that their rivals, it would be a World Cup to forget as in their opening match with the hosts, Portugal suffered a terrible defeat in which was the USA's first victory at the World Cup since 1950. Portugal's flop of a run would see them go out thanks to a defeat to Yugoslavia despite a win over Ghana which was nothing more than a consolation for them.

Many didn't felt that the Americans would go out in the first round though that unlikely victory over Portugal spurred them on to go on unbeaten in the group with draws with Ghana and Yugoslavia following which the last group game with Yugoslavia being a celebration for both sides as they had done enough to qualify for the last 16 with it being historic for the hosts as it would be the first time that they had gotten out of the group stage for the first time [9].

Yugoslavia, despite their problems in getting to America would win the group much to everyone's surprise and would Yugoslavia be the dark horses this time round? For Ghana, it would be their first World Cup in 20 years [10] though their lack of preparation time showed as they finished bottom of the group. Nonetheless it would be looked on as a quite a surprising group.

Final result of Group B at the 1986 World Cup

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Brazil vs Algeria at the 1986 World Cup
​

To say Group C was an oddball group would be saying a lot that featured the very experienced Brazil team, a very non-experience Canadian team making their first appearance [11], a plucky Algerian team and a unknown Dutch team. To no one's surprise, Brazil won all their games to top their group, though perhaps the shock was seeing Algeria making into second place with the Dutch falling in third place on the tightest of goal difference which saw they go home early.

The Dutch would blame their failure to progress on the lack of preparation needed before arriving at the World Cup, though it was pointed out that had Algeria not scored a second goal against Canada then the Dutch might've gone though despite a 2-0 defeat to Brazil. For Algeria, it felt that the spirt of '82 was with them and their underdog nature won them a place in the hearts of the American public.

For the Canadians, it would be a first appearance to forget as their inexperience showed and finished rock bottom with no goals or points to show for it. Nonetheless, it had been quite an interesting group that many wonder what would happen next for both teams...

Final results of Group C at the 1986 World Cup

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The French team of 1986 prior to their match with Chile
​

For many, Group D looked like a hard one to call with France expected to go through with Spain and Chile fighting it out for second place with poor Israel seen as the whipping boys of the group. Many expected that France would doo well and they would win their group with maximum points with the game with Spain being seen a classic. However it was the final group game with Chile and Spain which was considered as one of the greatest matches of the World Cup in which it was seen as a victory for either side would see the victorious team going through.

The game would end in a thrilling 3-3 draw in which both sides went for it but in the end, it would be Spain that went through thanks to goal difference and Chile felt frustrated that they had come so close yet so far to making it as part of last 16. For Israel, compared to their 1970 adventure which had seem them come up just short of reaching the knockout stage [12], they pretty much were a flop here and went home without a trace.

Group D would though be a group that many felt was how it would play out and now many wonder if France could do one better and this time win the World Cup?

Final results of Group D at the 1986 World Cup

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England vs Scotland in Group E at the 1986 World Cup
​

If the sight of the USA and USSR in the same group caused a stir, then so too was the placing of England and Scotland in the same group at a World Cup for the first time. The two British teams were blessed to have quite a soft group in which England and Scotland got victories over Paraguay and United Arab Emirates respectably. However it was in the second group match between the two British sides that suspicious ran high as the two teams played in a dull 0-0 draw in which the feeling was that the two teams had colluded with each other to help better their chances in which the Paraguayans cried foul the loudest over this. The game itself, being played out in Washington, wouldn't go down well with the American public with cries of 'Cheating British Bastards' being heard on a live broadcast.

Despite this infamous moment, both British teams won their final group games in which Scotland took care of Paraguay while England thrashed UAE which saw both England and Scotland going through, though they would be accused by many over that game in which despite both sides denying such claims, many in Paraguay felt they had been cheated out despite losing to Scotland in their final group game.

Nonetheless with both British teams going through, the two of them wouldn't be able to face off each other unless they both got to the final and who was hoping that a repeat of the 1966 final, exactly 20 years ago, could be possible here in the States...?

Final results of Group E of the 1986 World Cup

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The Moroccan team prior to their game with Northern Ireland
​

Group F was looked on as the weakest group as other than Italy, the other teams seemed to have not much in them though some felt that Japan, after making it out of the group stage in the last World Cup might be able to do it again here. However what many had expected that this would see the rise of Morocco who would beat Northern Ireland in their opening match to then record a shock 1-1 draw with Italy to then finally beat Japan in a thrilling 3-2 victory.

For Japan and Northern Ireland who had managed to surprise many by getting out of the group stage in 1982 would end up with a just a point between them and would end up going home early. Italy though would be a vast improvement over the last time by winning the group and progressing to the knockout stage though it is fair to say that the Italians were helped on by many thousands of Italian immigrates during their American adventure.

Morocco though were the main story of the group who had played some great football and who was to say that with more African teams going through, was the balance of power of the European and South American teams starting to slip?

Final Group F results of the 1986 World Cup

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Mexico and West Germany prior to kick off
​

Group G was looked on with many thinking that West Germany and Mexico would progress and the Germans were keen not to make an early exit like last time. However Mexico would have the largest away support during the 1986 World Cup and such support would only help them win the group via goal difference while the West Germans would go into second place.

The other members of the group would be Switzerland and Iraq, however both didn't really set the world on fire as both got routed in their opening matches and only the Swiss could get a victory over Iraq in the second match before both lost again to Mexico and West Germany. However Iraq would get their first goal against Germany and it would prove to be crucial as that goal helped the Mexicans leapfrog the Germans to win the group.

There were really nothing much else to say other than what many thought how the group would end up like. After which, both sides felt quite confidant that they both could see each other again for the final...that is, if both managed to get there first...

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Danish players celebrate after scoring a goal over Wales
​

The final group, Group H, was looked on as the weakest group though it would bring out one of the more unlikely cult like teams to ever play at a World Cup, Denmark. The Danes would beat the Welsh in a tight 1-0 victory before destroying the Uruguayans in their second match 6-1 before getting a 1-1 draw with Tunisia. Wales like some other teams were hampered by the lack of preparation that they needed and finished in third place a point behind Tunisia which saw the African team go through.

Uruguay would though end up have a violent brawl of a match with the Welsh in their final group match in which both sides needed a victory to go through or have any chance at all though it would see one certain player get sent off in the quickest time possible. Both sides ended up fighting it out in a poor 0-0 draw which saw both make an early exit out of the World Cup.

However on the happy side, the 1986 World Cup would see something quite historic that due to Tunisia making it out of the group stage, it was the first time that three African teams had made it to the knockout stage and for three out of four for Africa's representatives that was quite a historic achievement which showed that football had now reached to an international appeal bigger than what anyone expected.

Final Group H results of the 1986 World Cup
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With that, the Group stage was over the knockout stage could start and with huge crowds at all the venues, it was already looking like the 1986 World Cup was going to break attendance records and they hadn't even gotten to some of the more bigger games just yet. Who knows what lay in store for many teams' American Adventure?

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​

• [1] Mexico doesn't get awarded like in OTL with the United States getting it due to football's bigger appeal here.​
• [2] Knowing FIFA, quite plausible...​
• [3] Watch this space!​
• [4] Kind of similar how the 1994 World Cup was awarded, though much earlier here.​
• [5] As OTL event.​
• [6] As per OTL.​
• [7] The OTL Third Round is the Final Round ITTL.​
• [8] As we all know, the boycott of the Olympic Games did help tip the balance of Italy hosting the cup which the will do so here.​
• [9] USA get out of the group stage much earlier here than OTL, which was 1994.​
• [10] For TTL at least.​
• [11] As OTL.​
• [12] Check back for TTL's 1970 WC.​

And here are in the USA! Hope you enjoyed this update and for our American readers, we see soccer take off earlier here than OTL. Anyway, next games as follows...
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Argentina vs United States

France vs Algeria

England vs Morocco

Denmark vs West Germany

Yugoslavia vs Australia

Brazil vs Spain

Italy vs Scotland

Mexico vs Tunisia
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So who will go through all that? Plus, what are you liking about this TL so far compared to say, other football TL's? Also for a bit of fun if you remember on 'All To Play For', your 'memories' of TTL's 1986 World Cup at this point

Until then, stay tuned!

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Argentina vs United States

France vs Algeria

England vs Morocco

Denmark vs West Germany

Yugoslavia vs Australia

Brazil vs Spain

Italy vs Scotland

Mexico vs Tunisia

 

[King of the Uzbeks]

Argentina vs United States

France vs Algeria

England vs Morocco

Denmark vs West Germany

Yugoslavia vs Australia

Brazil vs Spain

Italy vs Scotland

Mexico vs Tunisia

 

[Ruperto Pesto]

Did Jock Stein die during WCQ in 1985?...there are two things...in Scotland vs Italy. Italy is in complete transitional team (like 1974 OTL), that's why in 86 OTL they went out quickly, so I see a similar point in here. So, if Scotland has a better suited team and Italy this issue...Scotland is serious candidate to get into best 8

The rest seems very predictable, but I would put some coins to Australia

PS: great picture of Hernan Diaz against Australia!, an interesting full back that in OTL was called several times by mananger Bilardo, when he was having problems at his club Rosario Central. Then he was transferred to River Plate in late 1989, and his career had a great quality leap...but Bilardo didn't call him to Italia 90...a pity, due this Argentina's team had an epidemic of injuries, and he could play as full back and defensive midfield... (well, BIlardo didn't call a 20 year old Diego Simeone neither despite he was called before too) then in USA 94, he was called but he spent more time in the bench...and later appeared Javier Zanetti at his position, so no one can match Pupi in there. Look for Argentina 2 - Germany 1 in 1993, the first goal an a great goal, was made by him.

Well, my mind went so far from the topic

 

[LEE GC]

It will be that Mexico will surprise in the 1990 World Cup

 

[LEE GC]

I think that at least Mexico manages to go to the quarterfinals beating Tunisia, Without a doubt they can reach more since they have their best player like Hugo Sanchez and other OTL players, maybe I'm wrong with what I said before and this World Cup will surprise.

 

[QTXAdsy]

Did Jock Stein die during WCQ in 1985?...there are two things...in Scotland vs Italy. Italy is in complete transitional team (like 1974 OTL), that's why in 86 OTL they went out quickly, so I see a similar point in here. So, if Scotland has a better suited team and Italy this issue...Scotland is serious candidate to get into best 8

The rest seems very predictable, but I would put some coins to Australia

PS: great picture of Hernan Diaz against Australia!, an interesting full back that in OTL was called several times by mananger Bilardo, when he was having problems at his club Rosario Central. Then he was transferred to River Plate in late 1989, and his career had a great quality leap...but Bilardo didn't call him to Italia 90...a pity, due this Argentina's team had an epidemic of injuries, and he can play as full back and defensive midfield... (well, BIlardo didn't call a 20 year old Diego Simeone neither despite he was called before too) then in USA 94, he was called but he spent more time in the bench...and later appeared Javier Zanetti at his position, so one can match Pupi in there. Look for Argentina 2 - Germany 1 in 1993, the first goal an a great goal, was made by him.

Well, my mind went so far from the topic

Jock Stein still dies sadly ITTL. Pretty much up until the boycott happening, qualification is pretty much like OTL. One difference is that the Scotland team is a little bit more experienced to getting out of the group stage at the very least though that said, that Scotland team had problems not just to Stein's death, but Dalglish pulling out did make that team flustered. Then again had Scotland not had that goal against Denmark disallowed, who knows? Poor Stein was under so much pressure from the media that it ultimately and quite literally killed him. Then again it is always a thought what if Stein hadn't died and we had a better time at the 86 WC

Plus after all these years, my Dad still says that Uruguay team was the most dirtiest team in a World Cup and there is a story that surprised me being that given what they did was that if England faced Uruguay in that WC, Scotland would have cheered for England which shows you how much that game left a bad taste in the mouth.

For Wales however, if you remember in 'All To Play For', we get a Welsh league earlier ITTL thanks to Wales making it to the 82 WC. I am convinced that if Wales qualified for that World Cup, and subsequently other tournaments throughout the '80's, then we would've seen a Welsh league happening earlier.

It will be that Mexico will surprise in the 1990 World Cup

That is they don't get banned first from qualifying...

Then again I would be interested to hear if you have ideas how they might avoid the ban?