Silver Road and Golden Stripes, Yet Another Football TL
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Semi-Finals 1983-84
Denmark's underdog run would end in the Semi-Finals but it wouldn't be a wash. England would actually have to fight for their win, drawing in Copenhagen before only winning by a single goal scored by Trevor Francis after 71 minutes of play in Old Trafford, sending England through to their first final since the ill-fated 1980 final against Argentina.
Their opponents in the final would be West Germany. The Mannschaft managed to answer Uruguay's goal in Montevideo, which the Celeste were unable to replicate back in Germany, in Dortmund's first ever hosting of a Nations League game.
England and Denmark battling it out in Old Trafford during the first half (1-0).
Their opponents in the final would be West Germany. The Mannschaft managed to answer Uruguay's goal in Montevideo, which the Celeste were unable to replicate back in Germany, in Dortmund's first ever hosting of a Nations League game.
England and Denmark battling it out in Old Trafford during the first half (1-0).
Final 1983-84
The final would come to Europe once more, as Paris' Parc des Princes hosts the final of this 1984 edition of the Nations League between two European squads: England and West Germany. The first minutes of the game weren't very interesting, both England and Germany trying to get control of each other's half. In fact, the first thirty minutes would be described by a BBC journalist as a "snooze fest", an expression that would stick to describe boring games where teams would only pass the ball around in the midfield looking for opportunities but not trying to get past goal. England finally struck first, a good ball by Luther Blissett found Sammy Lee, who delivered a perfect ball to Trevor Francis who beat Schumacher to score first. It didn't take long to see Germany react, but Kalus Allof's shot hit the post less than three minutes afterwards. England's Francis didn't stop at one goal, and had an opportunity to put England ahead, but this time Schumacher placed himself on the trajectory, saving the ball from entering the net, leaving England with a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Finally, Germany would find their opening, right after kick-off, Rummenigge managed to dribble three English defenders and set up a perfect cross for Voller to crucify Shilton and equalize. England answered in kind only ten minutes later, with Alan Kennedy snatching the ball from Matthaus' feet and going on a wild ride down the German defense line. His shot was parried by Schumacher, but the ball came into Lee's waiting hands, who slammed in another advantage for England. This advantage wouldn't last as long as the last one though, as this time Germany were much quicker in finding the openers in England's defense. Matthaus got his revenge for his mistake by sliding a great pass into the box for Rummenigge to equalize once more, and send the game to extra time. Neither team could really manage to score, with both defenses still standing strong. It seemed that this would be decided on penalties, but a last minute corner kick for England proved everyone wrong. Francis actually took the kick, the ball being harmlessly pushed back towards the edge of the box by the German defense. However, english midfielder Hoddle was lying in wait and took his chance, slamming the ball into the net from 25 meters away.
Germany were utterly lost, and without time to equalize again, conceded defeat, giving England their long awaited second Nations League title, a generation that would go down in English football history as "The Lucky Ones" having won a title no one expected them to be in contention for, unlike the previous and future generations of English football.
English and German players in the first stages of the game
English and German players look on as the last minute corner kick finds Hoddle alone outside the box...
Midfielder Alan Kennedy and Defender Phil Neal with the trophy after their win over West Germany
Finally, Germany would find their opening, right after kick-off, Rummenigge managed to dribble three English defenders and set up a perfect cross for Voller to crucify Shilton and equalize. England answered in kind only ten minutes later, with Alan Kennedy snatching the ball from Matthaus' feet and going on a wild ride down the German defense line. His shot was parried by Schumacher, but the ball came into Lee's waiting hands, who slammed in another advantage for England. This advantage wouldn't last as long as the last one though, as this time Germany were much quicker in finding the openers in England's defense. Matthaus got his revenge for his mistake by sliding a great pass into the box for Rummenigge to equalize once more, and send the game to extra time. Neither team could really manage to score, with both defenses still standing strong. It seemed that this would be decided on penalties, but a last minute corner kick for England proved everyone wrong. Francis actually took the kick, the ball being harmlessly pushed back towards the edge of the box by the German defense. However, english midfielder Hoddle was lying in wait and took his chance, slamming the ball into the net from 25 meters away.
Germany were utterly lost, and without time to equalize again, conceded defeat, giving England their long awaited second Nations League title, a generation that would go down in English football history as "The Lucky Ones" having won a title no one expected them to be in contention for, unlike the previous and future generations of English football.
English and German players in the first stages of the game
English and German players look on as the last minute corner kick finds Hoddle alone outside the box...
Midfielder Alan Kennedy and Defender Phil Neal with the trophy after their win over West Germany
1983-84 Stats & 84-85 Intro
Winners: England - 2nd title
Top Scorers: Trevor Francis (ENG) & Michel Platini (FRA) - 5 goals
1984-85 Participants:
Europe: Soviet Union (26), France (15), England (30), Denmark (2), West Germany (30), East Germany (19), Italy (29), Netherlands (13), Sweden (16), Hungary (22), Spain (29), Scotland (23), Belgium (13)
South America: Brazil (30), Argentina (30), Uruguay (19)
Final Location: Stade Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan
Bracket Order
West Germany v Argentina
England v Uruguay
East Germany v Spain
Italy v Hungary
Denmark v Belgium
Soviet Union v Scotland
Brazil v Sweden
France v Netherlands
Final Locations up to 1990:
1986- Mexico City
1987- Buenos Aires
1988- Munich
1989- Rio de Janeiro
1990- Rome
FIFA Cup 1983-84
Israel v Zambia 2-2 / 1-2
Wales v Morocco 2-0 / 1-2
Yugoslavia v Iran 5-0 / 3-1
Algeria v Peru 2-1 / 2-3
Mexico v Tahiti 6-0 / 6-0
Chile v Iraq 4-0 / 1-1
Belgium v Tunisia 2-1 / 1-1
Austria v Saudi Arabia 5-0 / 1-1
Bulgaria v Egypt 7-2 / 3-0
Hungary v Norway 2-0 / 2-3
Switzerland v Cameroon 3-1 / 3-1
Ireland v Zaire 4-1 / 3-0
Northern Ireland v Honduras 4-1 / 1-2
Sweden v Greece 2-2 / 1-4
Paraguay v Canada 1-1 / 1-2
Romania v Ghana 3-1 / 1-1
Zambia v Wales 2-1 / 1-3
Yugoslavia v Algeria 5-1 / 3-0
Mexico v Chile 2-0 / 0-4 aet
Belgium v Austria 3-0 / 1-3
Bulgaria v Hungary 8-0 / 3-0
Switzerland v Ireland 3-2 / 0-4
Northern Ireland v Greece 2-2 / 1-3
Canada v Romania 1-1 / 0-5
Wales v Yugoslavia 6-0 / 4-1
Chile v Belgium 1-0 / 1-0
Bulgaria v Ireland 0-2 / 0-1
Greece v Romania 4-3 / 3-1
Wales v Chile 1-0 / 0-3 aet
Ireland v Greece 2-0 / 2-3
Chile v Ireland 3-1 / 1-0
Winners: Chile - 1st title
1984-85 Participants:
Europe: Northern Ireland (14), Czechoslovakia (1), Portugal (6), Bulgaria (14), Poland (1), Yugoslavia (4), Romania (11), Wales (11), Austria (7), Switzerland (11), Ireland (13), Norway (3), Israel (14), Greece (13)
South America: Chile (14), Paraguay (14), Peru (14), Colombia (3)
North America: Mexico (14), Canada (5), Honduras (5)
Africa: Morocco (12), Algeria (9), Egypt (14), Libya (2), Ivory Coast (3), Zambia (5)
Asia: Iraq (8), Iran (13), South Korea (11)
Oceania: Australia (11), Tahiti (2)
Bracket Order:
Paraguay v Libya
Austria v Norway
Bulgaria v Egypt
Mexico v Israel
Morocco v Colombia
Wales v Zambia
Switzerland v Greece
Czechoslovakia v Canada
Ireland v Peru
Portugal v Tahiti
Chile v Ivory Coast
Iraq v Honduras
Yugoslavia v Algeria
Northern Ireland v South Korea
Poland v Iran
Romania v Australia
Wales v Morocco 2-0 / 1-2
Yugoslavia v Iran 5-0 / 3-1
Algeria v Peru 2-1 / 2-3
Mexico v Tahiti 6-0 / 6-0
Chile v Iraq 4-0 / 1-1
Belgium v Tunisia 2-1 / 1-1
Austria v Saudi Arabia 5-0 / 1-1
Bulgaria v Egypt 7-2 / 3-0
Hungary v Norway 2-0 / 2-3
Switzerland v Cameroon 3-1 / 3-1
Ireland v Zaire 4-1 / 3-0
Northern Ireland v Honduras 4-1 / 1-2
Sweden v Greece 2-2 / 1-4
Paraguay v Canada 1-1 / 1-2
Romania v Ghana 3-1 / 1-1
Zambia v Wales 2-1 / 1-3
Yugoslavia v Algeria 5-1 / 3-0
Mexico v Chile 2-0 / 0-4 aet
Belgium v Austria 3-0 / 1-3
Bulgaria v Hungary 8-0 / 3-0
Switzerland v Ireland 3-2 / 0-4
Northern Ireland v Greece 2-2 / 1-3
Canada v Romania 1-1 / 0-5
Wales v Yugoslavia 6-0 / 4-1
Chile v Belgium 1-0 / 1-0
Bulgaria v Ireland 0-2 / 0-1
Greece v Romania 4-3 / 3-1
Wales v Chile 1-0 / 0-3 aet
Ireland v Greece 2-0 / 2-3
Chile v Ireland 3-1 / 1-0
Winners: Chile - 1st title
1984-85 Participants:
Europe: Northern Ireland (14), Czechoslovakia (1), Portugal (6), Bulgaria (14), Poland (1), Yugoslavia (4), Romania (11), Wales (11), Austria (7), Switzerland (11), Ireland (13), Norway (3), Israel (14), Greece (13)
South America: Chile (14), Paraguay (14), Peru (14), Colombia (3)
North America: Mexico (14), Canada (5), Honduras (5)
Africa: Morocco (12), Algeria (9), Egypt (14), Libya (2), Ivory Coast (3), Zambia (5)
Asia: Iraq (8), Iran (13), South Korea (11)
Oceania: Australia (11), Tahiti (2)
Bracket Order:
Paraguay v Libya
Austria v Norway
Bulgaria v Egypt
Mexico v Israel
Morocco v Colombia
Wales v Zambia
Switzerland v Greece
Czechoslovakia v Canada
Ireland v Peru
Portugal v Tahiti
Chile v Ivory Coast
Iraq v Honduras
Yugoslavia v Algeria
Northern Ireland v South Korea
Poland v Iran
Romania v Australia
sad to see west germany fall against the english team.
But found this sentence funny:
But found this sentence funny:
Is that an early golden hand
Round of 16 1984-85
The first two games of this edition of the Nations League would shock the world, as two favorites exited the tournament in spectacular fashion. First, West Germany, who were defeated at home by Argentina, before getting thrashed 6-1 in Buenos Aires. Secondly, England fell to Uruguay, who came in as complete unknowns, yet still managed to beat the titleholders twice. Only one more first seed team would fall though, that being Denmark, who fell to Belgium.
The rest of the favorites managed to pass, although some with more difficulty than others. East Germany had to go to extra time against Spain in Malaga to move on to the Quarter-Finals, while Brazil nearly got surprised by Sweden during the return leg, being led 3-0 60 minutes in. For Italy, the Soviet Union and France, disposing of Hungary, Scotland and the Netherlands respecitvely was a mere formality, as all three teams easily passed to the next round.
Maradona in action against West Germany in Buenos Aires
Soviet players celebrate qualifying over Scotland
The rest of the favorites managed to pass, although some with more difficulty than others. East Germany had to go to extra time against Spain in Malaga to move on to the Quarter-Finals, while Brazil nearly got surprised by Sweden during the return leg, being led 3-0 60 minutes in. For Italy, the Soviet Union and France, disposing of Hungary, Scotland and the Netherlands respecitvely was a mere formality, as all three teams easily passed to the next round.
Maradona in action against West Germany in Buenos Aires
Soviet players celebrate qualifying over Scotland
Quarter-Finals 1984-85
The upper bracket of these Quarter-Finals was marked by one particularity: the fact that both teams qualified on away goals with the first game being a goal-fest. Argentina and Uruguay went into full south american fiesta mode, scoring six goals during the first game as neither team concerned themselves with defense. Uruguay exploited this as they went into full defense mode, locking Argentina down in a 1-1 draw and qualifying for the semi-finals. Italy qualified similarly against East Germany, scoring four but also taking in four, before bunkering down in pure Cattenacio fashion in Venice.
Belgium also made it to the Quarter-Finals for the first time in ten years by powering past the Soviet Union in Antwerp before being defeated in Moscow, however the lone goal scored by Ceulemans allowed them to make it through, to face off against their neighbours France. The Platini-led squad drew Brazil in Rio, before absolutely slaughtering the Brazilians in Paris only a week later.
Belanov scores the Soviets' third goal in Moscow, but it wouldn't be enough for them to qualify
Belgium also made it to the Quarter-Finals for the first time in ten years by powering past the Soviet Union in Antwerp before being defeated in Moscow, however the lone goal scored by Ceulemans allowed them to make it through, to face off against their neighbours France. The Platini-led squad drew Brazil in Rio, before absolutely slaughtering the Brazilians in Paris only a week later.
Belanov scores the Soviets' third goal in Moscow, but it wouldn't be enough for them to qualify
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The draw ? Quite normal.
The debacle in Paris is due to the fact the Brazilian team had to
1. Play France in Rio
2. Play the National Championship (most players play in Brazil)
3. Travel to Europe and Paris a week later
The french players didn't play in between the two games, and came fresh while most of the Selecao was exhausted.
Semi-Finals 1984-85
The Semi-Finals kicked off in Montevideo with a huge upset. Italy, despite being favorites to dominate the South American champions, completely collapsed and were heavily defeated by the Celeste in front of a jubilant Uruguayan squad. Despite their best efforts, they wouldn't be able to win again in Milan, and exited the competition, as Uruguay made their way to their first ever final.
Between France and Belgium, there was no contest however. France came back with a vengeance after last year's exit, and utterly decimated the Belgian defense, scoring three goals in both the home and away game.
France and Belgium in action in Lille during the return leg of the confrontation (3-0)
Between France and Belgium, there was no contest however. France came back with a vengeance after last year's exit, and utterly decimated the Belgian defense, scoring three goals in both the home and away game.
France and Belgium in action in Lille during the return leg of the confrontation (3-0)
Final 1984-85
International football returned to Africa for the first time in twenty years with the final being organized in Abidjan, for the confrontation between heavy underdogs Uruguay and European champions France. The latter started off very strong, quickly finding several occasions in the first minutes of the match. Uruguay quickly panicked, and as Platini delivered Bellone a perfect pass into the box, the french striker was brought down by Dominguez, and a penalty given to France. As per usual, Platini took it and scored, giving France the edge. The french then controlled the ball, and less than half an hour later, struck once more. Fernandez delivered a good ball to Lacombe, who struck the ball directly into Uruguayan goalkeeper Pereira, who knocked the ball out...back into Giresse who didn't have to adjust his shot to score, making the scoreline 2-0 at half-time.
Uruguay didn't go down quietly, and as soon as the second half started, Alzamendi took a ball delivered by Perdomo, and struck for goal. However, french goalkeeper Bats was on the trajectory and saved the Uruguayan chance. Seeing that they weren't out of the woods yet, France pressed on yet again, with Platini's shot being stopped by Pereira this time around, and five minutes later, French subsititute Genghini hitting the post. Uruguay, getting more and more desperate as the clock ticked on, pushed forward, with Alzamendi seeing two of his shots parried by Bats, while Saldanha's header after a corner kick would go wide off the left post. France failed to take advantage of the Uruguayan holes in their defense, but it wouldn't matter, as Uruguay wouldn't be able to score and France cruised towards their fourth title, equalling West Germany.
Uruguayan star striker Alzamendi during the opening stages of the final
French players discuss tactics as the second half of the final gets underway
French captain Michel Platini holding the trophy for the third time in his career
Uruguay didn't go down quietly, and as soon as the second half started, Alzamendi took a ball delivered by Perdomo, and struck for goal. However, french goalkeeper Bats was on the trajectory and saved the Uruguayan chance. Seeing that they weren't out of the woods yet, France pressed on yet again, with Platini's shot being stopped by Pereira this time around, and five minutes later, French subsititute Genghini hitting the post. Uruguay, getting more and more desperate as the clock ticked on, pushed forward, with Alzamendi seeing two of his shots parried by Bats, while Saldanha's header after a corner kick would go wide off the left post. France failed to take advantage of the Uruguayan holes in their defense, but it wouldn't matter, as Uruguay wouldn't be able to score and France cruised towards their fourth title, equalling West Germany.
Uruguayan star striker Alzamendi during the opening stages of the final
French players discuss tactics as the second half of the final gets underway
French captain Michel Platini holding the trophy for the third time in his career
1984-85 Stats & 85-86 Intro
Winners: France - 4th title
Top Scorer: Antonio Alzamendi (URU) - 5 goals
1985-86 Participants:
Europe: Spain (30), Soviet Union (27), England (31), West Germany (31), France (16), Denmark (3), Sweden (17), Netherlands (14), Italy (30), Czechoslovakia (27), East Germany (20), Romania (7), Yugoslavia (24)
South America: Argentina (31), Brazil (31)
North America: Mexico (8)
Final Location: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Bracket Order
France v Romania
Brazil v Czechoslovakia
West Germany v Mexico
Spain v Netherlands
Argentina v Italy
England v East Germany
Soviet Union v Sweden
Denmark v Yugoslavia
FIFA Cup 1984-85
Paraguay v Libya 5-0 / 2-1
Austria v Norway 0-3 / 2-3
Bulgaria v Egypt 0-3 / 0-2
Mexico v Israel 3-1 / 0-0
Morocco v Colombia 2-0 / 1-1
Wales v Zambia 7-1 / 2-2
Switzerland v Greece 5-1 / 3-3
Czechoslovakia v Canada 3-1 / 2-1
Ireland v Peru 4-1 / 0-2
Portugal v Tahiti 4-0 / 4-0
Chile v Ivory Coast 2-1 / 2-3
Iraq v Honduras 2-3 / 1-3
Yugoslavia v Algeria 1-1 / 1-2
Northern Ireland v South Korea 3-1 / 2-0
Poland v Iran 2-1 / 0-0
Romania v Australia 0-0 / 1-4
Paraguay v Norway 1-1 / 1-3
Egypt v Mexico 1-2 / 1-3
Morocco v Wales 2-0 / 3-1
Switzerland v Czechoslovakia 2-1 / 1-0
Ireland v Portugal 5-0 / 3-3
Chile v Honduras 6-2 / 2-2
Algeria v Northern Ireland 3-1 / 0-1
Poland v Australia 3-1 / 2-1
Norway v Mexico 3-2 / 1-4
Morocco v Switzerland 1-2 / 0-3
Ireland v Chile 5-1 / 0-1
Algeria v Poland 0-0 / 0-2
Mexico v Switzerland 2-2 / 0-2
Ireland v Poland 0-1 / 0-0
Switzerland v Poland 3-3 / 0-0
Winners: Poland - 1st title
1985-86 Participants:
Europe: Scotland (7), Belgium (4), Wales (12), Poland (2), Hungary (9), Bulgaria (15), Austria (8), Portugal (7), Northern Ireland (15), Ireland (14), Switzerland (12), Norway (4), Greece (14), Israel (15)
South America: Paraguay (15), Chile (15), Uruguay (12), Colombia (4), Peru (15)
North America: Honduras (6)
Africa: Morocco (13), Cameroon (9), Ivory Coast (4), Egypt (15), Senegal (2), Algeria (10), Libya (3), Zaire (14)
Asia: Iran (14), South Korea (12), Kuwait (8)
Oceania: Australia (12)
Bracket Order
Hungary v Senegal
Ireland v Cameroon
Scotland v Peru
Norway v Egypt
Paraguay v Iran
Poland v Colombia
Wales v Honduras
Uruguay v Greece
Switzerland v Algeria
Belgium v Libya
Chile v Israel
Bulgaria v Zaire
Morocco v Kuwait
Portugal v Australia
Austria v Ivory Coast
Northern Ireland v South Korea
Austria v Norway 0-3 / 2-3
Bulgaria v Egypt 0-3 / 0-2
Mexico v Israel 3-1 / 0-0
Morocco v Colombia 2-0 / 1-1
Wales v Zambia 7-1 / 2-2
Switzerland v Greece 5-1 / 3-3
Czechoslovakia v Canada 3-1 / 2-1
Ireland v Peru 4-1 / 0-2
Portugal v Tahiti 4-0 / 4-0
Chile v Ivory Coast 2-1 / 2-3
Iraq v Honduras 2-3 / 1-3
Yugoslavia v Algeria 1-1 / 1-2
Northern Ireland v South Korea 3-1 / 2-0
Poland v Iran 2-1 / 0-0
Romania v Australia 0-0 / 1-4
Paraguay v Norway 1-1 / 1-3
Egypt v Mexico 1-2 / 1-3
Morocco v Wales 2-0 / 3-1
Switzerland v Czechoslovakia 2-1 / 1-0
Ireland v Portugal 5-0 / 3-3
Chile v Honduras 6-2 / 2-2
Algeria v Northern Ireland 3-1 / 0-1
Poland v Australia 3-1 / 2-1
Norway v Mexico 3-2 / 1-4
Morocco v Switzerland 1-2 / 0-3
Ireland v Chile 5-1 / 0-1
Algeria v Poland 0-0 / 0-2
Mexico v Switzerland 2-2 / 0-2
Ireland v Poland 0-1 / 0-0
Switzerland v Poland 3-3 / 0-0
Winners: Poland - 1st title
1985-86 Participants:
Europe: Scotland (7), Belgium (4), Wales (12), Poland (2), Hungary (9), Bulgaria (15), Austria (8), Portugal (7), Northern Ireland (15), Ireland (14), Switzerland (12), Norway (4), Greece (14), Israel (15)
South America: Paraguay (15), Chile (15), Uruguay (12), Colombia (4), Peru (15)
North America: Honduras (6)
Africa: Morocco (13), Cameroon (9), Ivory Coast (4), Egypt (15), Senegal (2), Algeria (10), Libya (3), Zaire (14)
Asia: Iran (14), South Korea (12), Kuwait (8)
Oceania: Australia (12)
Bracket Order
Hungary v Senegal
Ireland v Cameroon
Scotland v Peru
Norway v Egypt
Paraguay v Iran
Poland v Colombia
Wales v Honduras
Uruguay v Greece
Switzerland v Algeria
Belgium v Libya
Chile v Israel
Bulgaria v Zaire
Morocco v Kuwait
Portugal v Australia
Austria v Ivory Coast
Northern Ireland v South Korea
Round of 16 1985-86
The Round of 16 of this World Cup year Nations League edition started with all four top seeded teams of the upper bracket making it to the Quarter-Finals. France would have an easy matchup against Romania, beating them handily before drawing with their reserve squad in Bucharest. Easy win for West Germany as well, who beat Mexico who were making their return to the Nations League. For Brazil, it was more difficult, but their draw against Czechoslovakia enabled them to move on, while Spain beat the Dutch in Amsterdam to secure their ticket.
The first seeds wouldn't be so lucky in the bottom half of the bracket, save for Denmark, who beat Yugoslavia twice to advance. Favorites Argentina were the first to fall, twice, against World Cup titleholders Italy. England also fell despite beating East Germany in Newcastle, being eliminated after extra time, while Sweden knocked out the Soviet Union, who were considered one of the strongest teams in the tournament.
Mexican and German players in action during the return leg of the confrontation in Mexico City.
Still from Denmark v Yugoslavia in Copenhagen.
The first seeds wouldn't be so lucky in the bottom half of the bracket, save for Denmark, who beat Yugoslavia twice to advance. Favorites Argentina were the first to fall, twice, against World Cup titleholders Italy. England also fell despite beating East Germany in Newcastle, being eliminated after extra time, while Sweden knocked out the Soviet Union, who were considered one of the strongest teams in the tournament.
Mexican and German players in action during the return leg of the confrontation in Mexico City.
Still from Denmark v Yugoslavia in Copenhagen.