WORLD CUP 1982

For the 1982 World Cup in Spain, FIFA decided to increase the size of the finals to twenty-four teams. They would play in six groups of four, with the top two advancing to the second round. There they would be divided into four groups of three, with the winners reaching the semi-finals. In Group A, five of the six matches ended in draws. Poland's victory over Peru gave them first place in the group, while Italy sneaked into the second round on goals scored at the expense of debutants Cameroon, who went out without losing a match.

Group B saw a massive upset in the opening game as World Cup newcomers Algeria stunned European Champions West Germany 2-1. Also beating Chile in their final group game, the Algerians were unlucky to go out as West Germany beat Austria 1-0, a score that would take both sides through. Algeria alleged collusion, but nothing was ever proved. However, it was this match that led FIFA to order both of the final matches in a group to be played simultaneously in the future.

Champions Argentina were shocked 1-0 by Belgium in the opening game in Group C, but they recovered to win both their remaining games and take their place in the next round. Belgium went through in first place having secured a draw with Hungary in their last match, sealing the Hungarians' exit depsite a record 10-1 thrashing of El Salvador earlier in the group. England, in their first finals since 1970, were impressive in Group D. Winning all three group matches, including a 3-1 victory over highly fancied France, they moved through comfortably at the top of the group. France recovered to beat debutants Kuwait in their second match leaving them needing only a draw against Czechoslovakia, and a 1-1 scoreline took the French through alongside England.

Hosts Spain were in Group E, and struggled to a draw with Honduras in their first match. Victory over Yugoslavia seemed to give them a comfortable position from which to go through, but a shock defeat to Northern Ireland left them clinging on to second place. Spain would have become the first hosts to fall in the opening round had they conceded a second goal to the Irish, but they managed to sneak through.

Brazil were many people's favourites for the title, and they won Group F with considerable ease, winning all their matches. Second place was between Scotland and the Soviet Union, both sides having beaten New Zealand and lost to Brazil. Scotland had a worse goal difference and had to win, and despite a late equaliser could not find the crucial goal. The U.S.S.R. moved into the second round on goal difference.

In the second round, Group One saw both Poland and the Soviet Union beat Belgium to set up a deciding match, and the Poles got the draw they needed to move through to the last four on goal difference. In Group Two, the goals dried up for England, two 0-0 draws were not enough against West Germany and Spain and it was the Germans who went through after beating the hosts 2-1. Group Three was decided by the final match between Italy and Brazil, after champions Argentina had been beaten by both. Brazil needed only a draw, but despite twice coming from behind to level their defensive frailties cost them dearly as a Paolo Rossi hat-trick sent them out 3-2. In Group Four, France easily saw off the challenge of Austria and Northern Ireland.

In the semi-finals, Italy eased past Poland 2-0 but the other game between France and West Germany was an epic. Level at 1-1 after ninety minutes, France led 3-1 in extra-time but the Germans fought back to force the World Cup's first ever penalty shoot-out. West Germany were the first to miss but France could not take advantage, failing twice from the spot to allow the Germans through 5-4 on penalties. France's disappointment worsened just two days later when they lost the third place match 3-2 to Poland.

In the final, West Germany's exertions against France seemed to have been too much to recover from and they were no match for Italy. Despite becoming the first team to miss a penalty in the final, goals from top scorer Rossi, Marco Tardelli and Alessandro Altobelli gave them a comfortable 3-0 lead. Paul Breitner scored in his second final to give the Germans some hope, but it was no more than a consolation goal as a 3-1 win secured Italy's third title, a record that they now shared with Brazil.