World Cup: 1982
There were 24 teams in the
1982 World Cup 1982 in Spain. For this tournament
there were two group stages, semi finals and a final.
The new format encouraged defensive tactics. There were 16
draws in the group stages, seven of them 0-0. There were
also eight 1-0 victories. But there were also two classic
games: Brazil against Italy in the Second Round and the
Semi Final between West Germany and France
England qualified for the first time since 1970. They were
one of the pre-tournament favourites. Northern Ireland
produced the biggest surprise of the early games. They beat
the host country Spain and qualified for the second round.
Brazil
Brazil had their best team
since 1970 and were the favourites to win the competition.
They won all their first round games and scored some great
goals. Their star was Zico, an exceptionally talented
player, and a great goal-scorer. Zico scored some 800 goals
in first class soccer - almost a goal a game. For Brazil
his record is 77 goals in 92 games.
Zico scored four goals in the opening three games and
Brazil seemed unbeatable. Everyone expected them to beat
their second round opponents, Italy.
Italy played poorly in the
first-round. They drew all three of their first-round
matches and only qualified ahead of Cameroon on goals
scored.
Favourites go
out
Perhaps Italy’s poor form made
Brazil over-confident. In a major shock, Italy beat Brazil
3- 2. Zico scored for Brazil but Rossi got a hat trick.
Another favourite, England, also went out after drawing
both their second round games.