1982 and beyond-alternate history of FIFA World Cups
- Thread starter Jan Olbracht
- Start date
Round of 16 started with match between winner of Group C-England, and third placed team of Group A-Ireland. England was clear favorite to win, but Irish players were very motivated and just like during Ireland-England match at Euro 84' Ireland's first match at great tournament, they were the ones to score first goal, and it happened, that Ray Houghton, the same player, who scored against England in 1984, was the one, who opened the score. This time he did it twice and by 16' minute England was two goals down. But as first half started with two fast goals for Ireland, second half was reverse and in 50 minute there was 2-2 draw after goals of Shearer and Gascoigne. There were no more goals during regulation time and extra time was needed to decide winner. Ambitious Ireland started to lose steam and conceded two more goals. After tough game England eventually won 4-2.
On the same day Italy defeated USA. Defending champions were obvious favourite, but their victory was narrow and hosts hold 0-0 draw until 72 minute.
Saudi Arabia unexpectedly in debut at World Cup finished as runner-up of group F ahead of Belgium, fourth team of previous tournament. Sons of the Desert were not that fortunate in knockout stage, playing against Romania. Romanians took lead in 8 minute and scored 3 goals in total, Saudi Arabia responded with just one goal.
Colombia was successful during group stage end ended as winner of Group A, while Bulgaria advanced as one of top 4th placed teams, but Bulgaria had to face much stronger opponents in Group C and ended equal of points with defending champion. During first half Colombia was able to respond for Stoichkov's goal with goal of Valencia, but Bulgaria regained lead in 77 minute thanks to Yordanov and won the match 2-1. Yordanov's goal was fifth goal scored by Bulgaria at the tournament but scored by player other than Stoichkov.
On the same day Italy defeated USA. Defending champions were obvious favourite, but their victory was narrow and hosts hold 0-0 draw until 72 minute.
Saudi Arabia unexpectedly in debut at World Cup finished as runner-up of group F ahead of Belgium, fourth team of previous tournament. Sons of the Desert were not that fortunate in knockout stage, playing against Romania. Romanians took lead in 8 minute and scored 3 goals in total, Saudi Arabia responded with just one goal.
Colombia was successful during group stage end ended as winner of Group A, while Bulgaria advanced as one of top 4th placed teams, but Bulgaria had to face much stronger opponents in Group C and ended equal of points with defending champion. During first half Colombia was able to respond for Stoichkov's goal with goal of Valencia, but Bulgaria regained lead in 77 minute thanks to Yordanov and won the match 2-1. Yordanov's goal was fifth goal scored by Bulgaria at the tournament but scored by player other than Stoichkov.
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On third day of knockout stage matches Netherlands defeated Spain 3-2 after interesting match. Netherlands took 2-0 lead after two goals of Bergkamp in first half, but Spain has not given up and tried to return to the game for quarter-final. Caminero reduced Netherland's lead to one goal in 51 minute and were close to equalize score, but it was Netherlands that eventually scored one more goal. Spain responded with injury time goal scored by Luis Enrique, but with seconds left until final whistle Spain had no chance to look for equalizer and Netherlands advanced to the next round.
Scotland advanced to knockout stage thanks to large dose of luck, and was not given any chances against title hungry Brazil, but as many times before Scotland happened to be surprisingly tough opponent for three times World Cup winners. Brazil controlled the match and took lead in 30 minute thanks to Romario's goal. It looked like advance to quarter-final is pure formality, but then troubles started. In 43 minute Leonardo was sent off for hitting Collins with elbow and Scottish team was given new life in second half. In 55 minute McCoist scored equalizer and Brazilians started to get nervous. But thanks to brilliant goal from free kick, scored by Branco, Brazil was eventually victorious.
Nigeria had successful debut at World Cup and won her group ahead of Argentina, Belgium, on the other hand, surprisingly ended third,after being defeated by Saudi Arabia in last match of group stage. But in round of 16 fortune was on Belgium's side. After 1-1 draw in regulation time Belgium scored two goals during extra time and Nigeria failed to respond. Fourth team of Italia 90' advanced to quarter-final.
Argentina advanced to round of 16 as runner-up, winning one match and drawing two. While 0-0 draw with Nigeria was not bad result, considering the fact, that Argentina played 10 against 11 for most of the match, 0-0 draw with Scotland was seen as disappointment and the fact, that Argentia could not score single goal after Maradona had to leave game due to injury in first match, was worrisome. Thus before match with Germany there wasn't much optimism. Germany dominated and took the lead first, thanks to Voller's goal in 55 minute. 20 minutes later it seemed, that match is over-Germany was awarded penalty after Sensini's handball in penalty box. And then Argentina's recovery started-Goycochea saved Matthäus' penalty kick and four minutes later Caniggia scored equalizer, followed by Batistuta's goal, that gave Argentina 2-1 lead and victory in that match.
Scotland advanced to knockout stage thanks to large dose of luck, and was not given any chances against title hungry Brazil, but as many times before Scotland happened to be surprisingly tough opponent for three times World Cup winners. Brazil controlled the match and took lead in 30 minute thanks to Romario's goal. It looked like advance to quarter-final is pure formality, but then troubles started. In 43 minute Leonardo was sent off for hitting Collins with elbow and Scottish team was given new life in second half. In 55 minute McCoist scored equalizer and Brazilians started to get nervous. But thanks to brilliant goal from free kick, scored by Branco, Brazil was eventually victorious.
Nigeria had successful debut at World Cup and won her group ahead of Argentina, Belgium, on the other hand, surprisingly ended third,after being defeated by Saudi Arabia in last match of group stage. But in round of 16 fortune was on Belgium's side. After 1-1 draw in regulation time Belgium scored two goals during extra time and Nigeria failed to respond. Fourth team of Italia 90' advanced to quarter-final.
Argentina advanced to round of 16 as runner-up, winning one match and drawing two. While 0-0 draw with Nigeria was not bad result, considering the fact, that Argentina played 10 against 11 for most of the match, 0-0 draw with Scotland was seen as disappointment and the fact, that Argentia could not score single goal after Maradona had to leave game due to injury in first match, was worrisome. Thus before match with Germany there wasn't much optimism. Germany dominated and took the lead first, thanks to Voller's goal in 55 minute. 20 minutes later it seemed, that match is over-Germany was awarded penalty after Sensini's handball in penalty box. And then Argentina's recovery started-Goycochea saved Matthäus' penalty kick and four minutes later Caniggia scored equalizer, followed by Batistuta's goal, that gave Argentina 2-1 lead and victory in that match.
First quarter-finalist eliminated from the tournament was Italy, defended by Belgium. Belgium took 2-0 lead at beginning of second half after goals of Nilis and Weber. Substitute Zola reduced Belgium's lead to one goal in 70 minute, but just 5 minutes later he was sent off, and defending champions, reduced to 10 men, failed to equalize.
Same day brazil defeated Netherlands 3-2 (that is OTL story)
Next day England faced Argentina in rematch of quarter-final match played in Italy in 1990. After tense but goalless regulation time extra England took lead in extra time thanks to goal scored by Gascoigne in 99 minute. Caniggia once again scored equalizer for his team, but this time Argentina's come back was not successful as England regained the lead after goal of Les Ferdinand. With Argentina eliminated Belgium remained only semi-finalist of Italian tournament to reach semifinals of World Cup 94' [1].
In last quarter-final match two Balkan nations faced each other. After thriling game, with 6 goals and 2 red cards, Bulgaria defeated Romania 5-4 in penalty shoot-out.
[1] As I've mentioned before that would be not one sided rivalry.
Same day brazil defeated Netherlands 3-2 (that is OTL story)
Next day England faced Argentina in rematch of quarter-final match played in Italy in 1990. After tense but goalless regulation time extra England took lead in extra time thanks to goal scored by Gascoigne in 99 minute. Caniggia once again scored equalizer for his team, but this time Argentina's come back was not successful as England regained the lead after goal of Les Ferdinand. With Argentina eliminated Belgium remained only semi-finalist of Italian tournament to reach semifinals of World Cup 94' [1].
In last quarter-final match two Balkan nations faced each other. After thriling game, with 6 goals and 2 red cards, Bulgaria defeated Romania 5-4 in penalty shoot-out.
[1] As I've mentioned before that would be not one sided rivalry.
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After spectacular quarter-finals with 17 goals in 4 matches expectations were high for semi-finals, but next round happened to be more way less exciting. England and Brazil scored one goal each during first halves of their games and kept 1-0 lead until final whistle, preserving strenght for great final.
Bulgaria took lead during regulation time and extra time, but Belgium was able to come from behind twice. Thus, for the first time, third place was decided by penalty shoot-out, won by Bulgarians.
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Played in broad daylight on 17 July at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, final of 1994 World Cup was watched by more than 94,000 spectators. Brazil reached final for the first time since 1970, England waited to reach that stage 4 years longer.
First time brought few scoring opportunites, but over time Brazilian side started to dominate and only thanks to excellent interventions of David Seaman Brazil still couldn't take the lead, but eventually near end of regulation match Bebeto converted briliant pass from Cafu into goal for Brazil. England failed to respond. Second final in row ended with 1-0 score and after almost quarter century Brazil was World Champion again.
Brazilian squad, that won 15th edition of FIFA World Cup
First time brought few scoring opportunites, but over time Brazilian side started to dominate and only thanks to excellent interventions of David Seaman Brazil still couldn't take the lead, but eventually near end of regulation match Bebeto converted briliant pass from Cafu into goal for Brazil. England failed to respond. Second final in row ended with 1-0 score and after almost quarter century Brazil was World Champion again.
Brazilian squad, that won 15th edition of FIFA World Cup
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Final positions:
1.
Brazil (4th title)
2.
England
3.
Bulgaria
4.
Belgium
Best player:
Romário
Top scorer:
Hristo Stoichkov (6 goals)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Best player:
Top scorer:
Logo of 16th edition of FIFA World Cup
For the second time in history World Cup was hosted by France. It was first edition of the tournament with 32 teams, which were divided in 8 groups. Following teams qualified from 6 confederations:
France (hosts), Brazil (defending champion), Argentina, Belgium, England, Italy, Germany and Netherlands were seeded teams.
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Brazil was automatically placed in group A, while France was placed in group C, to ensure, that they would not meet before final if they both win their groups.
Groups of 1998 World Cup:
A) Brazil, Norway, Bulgaria, Morocco
B) Italy, Poland, Chile, USA
C) France, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
D) Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain, Belgium
E) Netherlands, Romania, South Korea, Mexico
F) Germany, FR Yugoslavia, Australia, Cameroon
G) England, Scotland, Colombia, Tunisia
H) Argentina, Croatia, Japan, Jamaica
Groups of 1998 World Cup:
A) Brazil, Norway, Bulgaria, Morocco
B) Italy, Poland, Chile, USA
C) France, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
D) Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain, Belgium
E) Netherlands, Romania, South Korea, Mexico
F) Germany, FR Yugoslavia, Australia, Cameroon
G) England, Scotland, Colombia, Tunisia
H) Argentina, Croatia, Japan, Jamaica
French tournament started from match between title holder and third placed team of previous World Cup and ended with Brazil's 2-0 victory over Bulgaria. Bebeto, who scored last goal of previous tournament, happened to be first player to score at World Cuo 1998. Match between Morocco and Norway eneded with draw, just like match between Norway and Bulgaria during second round of matches and combined with Brazil's victory over Morocco such result ensured, that Brazil won the group after playing just two games. Bulgaria tied 3-3 with Morocco after thrilling game in last match, but both teams were eliminated as Norway defeated Brazil 2-1.
and secured second place in the group.
and secured second place in the group.
Group B contained hosts of two previous tournaments-Italy and USA, and also Poland and Chile.
First round of matches started with 2-2 draw between Italy and Chile-Vieri opened the score, but thanks to two goals of Salas Chileans took the lead in 48 minute, to lost it few minutes before end of match, after Baggio converted penalty kick. On the same day Poland defeated USA 2-1 after goals of silver medalists from Barcelona-Juskowiak and Kowalczyk. Americans responded with one goal scored by McBride.
Next round of matches brought one of the biggest upsets of group stage-Italians, who defeated USA at two previous tournaments, failed to to it for the third time, despite taking lead first. After Wynalda scored equalizer Italy was desperate to regain the lead, but Americans survived numerous Italian attacks and hold 1-1 draw until final whistle. Such result was problematic for Italy, as match between Poland and Chile played the same day ended with Poland's victory thanks to excellent form of Marek Citko [1] who scored goal for Poland, and goalkeeper Andrzej Woźniak, who had many brililiant interventions during that match, including saved penalty. Thus Italy after two draws lost chance to win the group as Poland secured first place already.
Chile won last match against USA 3-0, but as at the same time Italy defeated Poland 3-1 it was not enough to ensure advance to knockout stage.
[1] Marek Citko was considered Poland's best football talent of late 90s, but in May 1997 he suffered injury, from which he never fully recovered. *Here* Citko avoided injury and would be Poland's key Player until 2006 at least.
First round of matches started with 2-2 draw between Italy and Chile-Vieri opened the score, but thanks to two goals of Salas Chileans took the lead in 48 minute, to lost it few minutes before end of match, after Baggio converted penalty kick. On the same day Poland defeated USA 2-1 after goals of silver medalists from Barcelona-Juskowiak and Kowalczyk. Americans responded with one goal scored by McBride.
Next round of matches brought one of the biggest upsets of group stage-Italians, who defeated USA at two previous tournaments, failed to to it for the third time, despite taking lead first. After Wynalda scored equalizer Italy was desperate to regain the lead, but Americans survived numerous Italian attacks and hold 1-1 draw until final whistle. Such result was problematic for Italy, as match between Poland and Chile played the same day ended with Poland's victory thanks to excellent form of Marek Citko [1] who scored goal for Poland, and goalkeeper Andrzej Woźniak, who had many brililiant interventions during that match, including saved penalty. Thus Italy after two draws lost chance to win the group as Poland secured first place already.
Chile won last match against USA 3-0, but as at the same time Italy defeated Poland 3-1 it was not enough to ensure advance to knockout stage.
[1] Marek Citko was considered Poland's best football talent of late 90s, but in May 1997 he suffered injury, from which he never fully recovered. *Here* Citko avoided injury and would be Poland's key Player until 2006 at least.
While Belgium, fourth team of two previous World Cups, was seeded team, it was Spain that was expected to win the group. But after two first matches Spain's situation looked quite grim-after losing 2-3 to Nigeria (despite taking lead twice) and drawing with Paraguay Spain had just one point and even victory against Belgium in last match could not be enough to advance to knockout stage. But thanks to effective 4-1 victory Spain eventually topped the group, followed by Paraguay, which also started with defeat. As all 4 teams in Group D ended with the same number of points it was goal difference, that decided final positions in the group.
Netherlands, eventuall winner of group E, just like Spain, started group stage with defeat. But after loss with Romania two victories came, including impressive 5-0 with South Korea. Romania, with one victory and two draws, advanced behind Netherlands as runner-up.
Australia, returning to World Cup after 24 years, started with surprising 2-2 draw with Yugoslavia, taking 2-0 lead after first half. And while Yugoslavia eventually equalized the score draw was still seen as upset for a team, that had ambition to reach semi-finals. Group F was won by Germany, which was also only team in that group, which won any matches. /yugoslavia, with 3 draws, advanced as runner-up.
GROUP F
GROUP F
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In first round of matches Scotland defeated Tunisia 1-0 after uninspiring game, the same day England defeated Colombia 2-0.
Next round brought Colombia's cictory over Tuniscia and unexpected Scotland's victory over England. Scottish team was, like usually, very motivated against traditional rival and played much better than against Tunisia and defeated finalists of previous World Cup 1-0 thanks to Durie's goal scored during first half's injury time. Scotish team, after giving their best against England, was not that impressive against Colombia [1] but managed to hold 0-0 draw, that guaranted them advance from first place, until final whistle. England followed as runner-up after defeating Tunisia 2-0.
[1] I think that it looks like very Scottish performance
but this time throwing everything best against England also help Scotland to advance to the next round.
Next round brought Colombia's cictory over Tuniscia and unexpected Scotland's victory over England. Scottish team was, like usually, very motivated against traditional rival and played much better than against Tunisia and defeated finalists of previous World Cup 1-0 thanks to Durie's goal scored during first half's injury time. Scotish team, after giving their best against England, was not that impressive against Colombia [1] but managed to hold 0-0 draw, that guaranted them advance from first place, until final whistle. England followed as runner-up after defeating Tunisia 2-0.
[1] I think that it looks like very Scottish performance
but this time throwing everything best against England also help Scotland to advance to the next round.Round of 16 started with match between Poland-unexpected winner of Group B, and Norway-runner-up of group A. Match started luckily for Poles, who scored goal in the very first attempt, but as time went on, Norway's domination was growing. Poland decided to defend 1-0 lead way too early. Only due to brilliant interventions of Woźniak and bad finish of Norvegian actions that tactics worked, but goal for Norway seemed to be question of time. But when it looked, that Polish defense is about to break, Poland scored second goal. Citko noticed, that Grodås is away from the goal and lobbed him with long range shot. Poland won all matches at World Cup after taking lead first, this time was not different.10 minute later Poland's lead was reduced back to one goal after Rekdal scored for Norway, but Norvegians failed to equalize and Poland advanced to next round.
The same day brought clash of two football giants, winners of two previous editions. 4 times champion and 3 times champion met at the very first round of knockout stage, way too early. Italy took lead first, after Vieri's goal, and keep the lead until first half, but conceded goal at the very beginning of second half. Brazil dominated second half and Ronaldo gave his team lead in 66 minute, 6 minute later he added another goal and Brazil took safe 3-1 lead. Italy responded with goal scored by substitute Inzaghi, reducing scale of defeat.
The same day brought clash of two football giants, winners of two previous editions. 4 times champion and 3 times champion met at the very first round of knockout stage, way too early. Italy took lead first, after Vieri's goal, and keep the lead until first half, but conceded goal at the very beginning of second half. Brazil dominated second half and Ronaldo gave his team lead in 66 minute, 6 minute later he added another goal and Brazil took safe 3-1 lead. Italy responded with goal scored by substitute Inzaghi, reducing scale of defeat.