1982 and beyond-alternate history of FIFA World Cups

[Jan Olbracht]

Group A

Italy being drawn with USA, returning to the tournament after 40 years long abscence, and Israel, which played at World Cup only once in 1970, not winning sinle match, gave rise to accusations, that draw was rigged. Italy, as expected, won all matches, not losing single goal. Scotland advanced as runner-up, thanks to victories over USA and Israel. Israel won first match at World Cup, defeating USA 2-1, but it happened to be not enough to advance to round of 16.

Table and matches of Group A

Group B

Defending champion Argentina started with unexpected 0-1 loss to Cameroon, but 2-0 victory over Soviet Union and 1-0 victory over Romania, combined with Cameroon's 0-4 defeat in last match of group stage against Soviet Union, ensured Argentina's advance from first place. Cameroon, equal on points but with worse goal difference, advanced as runner-up. Romania and Soviet Union failed to advance.

Table and matches of Group B

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Group C

Group C was won without much problems by Brazil. Brazilians won all matches without losing single goal. Mexico [1] advanced to knock-out stage as runner-up. Poland, equal on points but with worse goal difference, advanced from third place. World Champions from 1982 were not the same team as few years ago. Veterans, who won medals at World Cups in Germany and Spain, retired and there was no player on the horizon, who would replace Boniek as leader. Frequent changes of coach and rotation of squad also have not helped, but Poland luckily managed to advance to fifth World Cup in row, and draw with Mexico and victory with Austria, which played most of the match reduced to 10 men after Artner was send off, were enough to once again advance to knockout stage from third place [2]

Table and matches of Group C

[1] Mexico is not banned-Cachirules scandal is avoided.

[2] 1990s were black hole in history of Polish football-16 years without advance to any tournament between 1986 and 2002 (followed by 7 tournaments between 2002 and 2021). There were some near-misses (like qualifications to Euro 1992 and Euro 2000) but besides having weaker team than during 1980s or 2000s, Poland also had really bad luck in draws. As I do this TL for pleasure I'd make Poland more fortunate obviously.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Group D

Group D featured West Germany, finalists of two previous World Cups, as well as Czechoslovakia, Belgia and United Arab Emirates. West Germany won matches against Czechoslovakia and United Arab Emirates (the latter were source of points for all other teams in the group) but in the last match, despite taking lead first, were defeated by Belgium thanks to two goals scored by Degryse during last 5 minutes of the match. As result unexpectedly Belgium won Group D [1]. West Germany followed as runner-up. Czechoslovakia advanced as one of 4 best third placed teams.

Table and matches of Group D

[1] I feel need to compensate Belgians for 'stealing' them 4th place in 1986.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Group E

Group E, featuring England, South Korea, Uruguay and Spain, played all matches outside Italian mainland, due to concerns about hooliganism. Spain won the group, defeating England in last group stage match and thus taking revenge for loss in quarter-final of previous tournament. England advanced as runner-up and Uruguay, thanks to injury time goal scored against South Korea, advanced as one of the best third placed teams.

Table and matches of Group E

Group F

All but one matches in that group ended with draws (with exception of France's 1-0 win against Egypt) and only in one match (France-Ireland 2-2 draw) team managed to score more than one goal. France won that group, followed by Ireland and Netherlands. Ireland and Netherlands had same number of points and goal difference, but Ireland had higher number of goals scored [1]

Table and results of Group F

[1] So no need for drawing lots.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Italian tournament was dominated by defensive tactics. Round of 16 was not exception.

First match of knockout stage, between Argentina and Czechoslovakia, ended with 1-0 victory of defending champions after goal scored near end of first half by defender Juan Simon, for whom it was first and only goal scored for national team.

Second match played on the same day between Scotland and Mexico happened to be more thrilling. Scotland was one goal down for most of the match and seconds from being eliminated, but last desperate attempt in regulation time ended with equalizer-header, scored by Scottish goalkeeper Jim Leighton after corner kick. After goalless extra time penalty shoot-out was needed to decide winner. Scotland converted all penalties and won penalty shoot-out 5-4. 4 Years after first advance from group stage Scotland advanced for the first time to quarter-finals.

First half of match between Brazil and Netherlands ended with 1-1 draw-Koeman responded for Careca's goal. Brazil took lead again thanks to goal scored from free kick by Branco and advanced to quarter-final.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

At San Siro Belgium defeated Uruguay 2-1. Uruguayans responded for goals scored by Scifo and Degryse with just one goal scored by substitute Sosa.

Next day in Genoa Cameroon defeated Ireland 1-0 after extra time and for the first time African team advanced to top 8 of World Cup.

Italy took 2-0 lead before end of first half after two terrible mistakes of Polish defense. Thanks to substitutes Poland's performance improved in second half, but that has not prevented Italians from scoring third goal. Consolation goal for Poland scored by Jan Urban was first goal conceded by Italy at the tournament.

After Salinas scored for Spain few minutes before end of regulation time it seemed, that finalists of previous tournament are about to be eliminated, but Voller responded to Salinas' goal after just 3 minutes and added another at the very beginning of extra time. Salinas had chance to equalize score, but ball after his powerful shot was stopped by incredible intervention of Bodo Illgner and it was West German team, that advanced to quarter-final.

France and England met at World Cup for 4th time in 4 years in rematch of third place play-off of previous tournament. France had better occassions to score during regulation time, hitting woodwork twice, but it was Lineker's goal scored during extra time, which decided fate of that rivalization and brought England to quarter-finals [1]

[1] Thus slowly England is becoming for France what Germany is for England or Italy is for Germany.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

In first quarter-final match two football powerhouses-Brazil and West Germany-for the first time faced each other at World Cup. Match between these two giants was dominated by negative tactics and few scoring opportunites were created by both sides, but situation changed, when Germans finally found the way to Brazilian goal in 73 minute. As time passed Brazil had to invest more and more into offensive, giving Germans more chances for counter-attacks. One of these counter-attacks ended with second goal for West Germany, scored by Klinsmann in 84 minute. Brazil failed to respond and for third time in row was eliminated before reaching top 4 of the tournament.

Italians well remembered humiliation in Vigo and hoped for revenge for 1982 disaster, but it was Cameroon that took lead first and the same Roger Milla, who send Italy home after first round in 1982, scored goal for Cameroon. Italians feared another compromitation and became nervous, committing more and more mistakes. Milla could even double the lead-he hit crossbar. But thanks to Schillaci, who kept cool head and scored two goals in 3 minutes, Italians avoided repeat of their Spanish failure.

Scotland-Belgium was only quarter-final match featuring two teams, that never reached semi-final before. After tense match Belgium eventually won 2-1 and secured at least 4th place at the tournament. All thre goals in that match were scored from penalties.

Argentina-England was another tense match, with additional political conflict in the background. Argentina opened score very early-Canigga scored just 6 minute after first whistle. England responded just 3 minutes later with Platt's goal. But that were also the last goals seen in that match, with defensive tactics dominating remaining time, and penalty shoot-out was needed to decide who'd face Belgium in next round. Thanks to incredible saves of Goycochea Argentinians won 3-2. Argentina was victorious, but also weakened before next match due to injuries and suspensions [1].

[1] So Argentina-England football rivalry finally started.
It would not be one sided like England-France and occassion for revenge would come soon...

 

[Jan Olbracht]

West Germany never defeated Italy at big tournament, spectators at Stadio San Paolo in Naples hoped, that 3 July 1990 would bring another Italian victory. Pressure to win the title was massive, Italy waited for it 52 years, but Germans, after two lost finals, have appetite for title too and have not came to Italy to clear path to the final for the host nation. Luck happened to be on Italian side, although referee helped that luck a bit-West Germany was denied penalty after foul on Rudi Völler. After 90 goalless (but with several chances for both teams) minutes Roberto Baggio, who came as substitute, gave lead to Italy. Desperate Germans put everything into attack, but instead of scoring equalizer they conceded second goal, scored by another substitute-Aldo Serena. After 20 years Italy was back in the final [1]

[1] That is almost 2006 semi-final 16 years earlier, minus extra time.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Less exciting of semi-final matches ended with 0-0 draw and was decided by penalties. Argentina once again emerged victorious from penalty shoot-out after tense match. Being tried and plagued by injuries and suspensions after tough game against England, Argentinians concentrated on defense, offering very little in offensive, and once again it were Goycochea's interventions that enabled Argentina to advance.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Winner and runner up of Group D met again in third place play-off. West Germany took revenge for group stage loss, that put them on more difficutl path to the final. In first half Belgium was able to respond with Ceulemans' goal to goal scored by Voller, but failed to respond to two goals scored in second half by Brehme and Klinsmann.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Argentinians, after losing several key players to injuries and suspensions, had little choice but to try to withstand Italian attacks and survive until penalties, knowing, that with Goycochea they have good chance to win another penalty shoot-out. And that plan worked almost until last whistle. It looked, that Italians would eventually prevail, when referee Edgaro Codesal awarded controversial penalty for Italy in 85 minute, but Goycochea saved Baggio's kick and once again kept Argentina in play. But Italians, knowing how dangerous penalty shoot-out could be for them with excellent form of Argentinian goalkeeper, wanted to win in regulation time, and finally found a way to Goycochea's goal, scoring goal in 90 minute, just like in match against West Germany in semi-finals. After 52 years title of World Champion returned to Italy, which won all seven matches at the tournament without need to play extra time even once.

More than 73 000 people watched final of 1990 World , played between defending champion and host nation at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

 

[Jan Olbracht]

15th FIFA World Cup was third played on North American continent (after Mexico 1970 and 1986) and was hosted by USA.
FIFA introduced some new rules, as reaction to domination of negative tactics at previous tournament, including 3 points for victory instead of 2. Africa, thanks to Cameroon's good performance at previous world cup, was given additional place at tournament.

There were some debuts (Nigeria, Saudi Arabia) and returns after long absence at World Cup (Norway, Wales) but also some notable absences-1982 champion Poland [1] and France, selected as host of 1998 tournament, failed to qualify.

[1] So Poland missed first tournament since 1970, sometimes it happens, but drought would not be nearly as long as IOTL. Poland, with fully fit Marek Citko, would return for France 98'

 

[Jan Olbracht]

USA as host, Brazil and top 4 of previous tournament were seeded teams. Six groups of the tournament were:

A) USA, Colombia, Ireland, Wales

B) Brazil, Cameroon, Romania, Sweden

C) Italy, Mexico, England, Bulgaria

D) Argentina, Nigeria, Scotland, Norway

E) Germany, Bolivia, Spain, South Korea

F) Belgium, Morocco, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia

 

[Jan Olbracht]

In first match of the tournament host USA drew with Wales, returning to the World Cup after 36 years, Colombia on the same day defeated Ireland. Next round of matches brought USA' victory over Colombia, with Colombian defender Andres Escobar opening the score with own goal [1], but thanks to victory in last match against Wales Colombia won the group , followed by USA and Ireland. Wales, after two draws and one loss, failed to advance to knockout stage.

[1] As Escobar's goal had no effect on Colombia's final position in the group he'davoid his OTL fate.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Brazil, favourite of Group B, was also one of main favourites to win whole tournament. Brazilians waited for title nearly quarter of century and it was viewed as national shame, that national team is not winning anymore. As expected, Brazil won the group, with two wins and one draw. Runner-up Romania advanced thanks to draw with Sweden and victory with Cameroon (revenge for 1990 loss). Sweden and Cameroon failed to advance and were eliminated without winning single match.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

Group C, labelled as 'Group of Death', included defending Italy, England, Mexico and Bulgaria. Defending champions started their campaign with 1-2 loss against England, but victory with Bulgaria and draw with Mexico ensured Italy's advance as runner up. England, after victories against Italy and Mexico, unexpectedly lost against Bulgaria, but 6 points gathered in previous matches were enough to win the group anyway.

 

[Jan Olbracht]

First match of Group D ended with Argentina's 3-1 victory over Norway. All goals for finalists of 1990 edition were scored by Diego Maradona, who rejoined national team, seeing Argentina's troubles during eliminations. Maradona collected hat-trick before end of first half, but had to leave field half hour before end of the match due to injury, that excluded him from playng for 3 weeks, thus Maradona never played at World Cup again and after tournament he ended his international carrier [1]. Second match of that round ended with Nigeria's effective 3-0 victory over Scotland.

Argentina lost another player in second match-goalkeeper Islas wassent off in 15' minute for foul in 1-to-1 situation and Nigeria was awarded penalty. Goycochea, hero of previous World Cup, came from the bench and saved penalty, regaining confidence and manager's trust, lost after poor season in club. Argentina, reduced to 10 men, held 0-0 draw until final whistle.

Scotland, after crushing defeat with Nigeria, won second match 1-0 against Norway. Norwegians dominated for most of the match, but could not finish their actions properly, while one of Scottish counter-attacks ended with goal scored by Collins.

Last round ended with Nigeria's 2-1 victory over Norway and 0-0 draw in Argentina-Scotland match. Scottish goal was battered from all sides by Argentinian players, who hit woodwork thrice, but Scotland survived and gained one point, that allowed them to advance to knockout stage from third place.

[1] Way better end of international carrier than ephedrine scandal.