France had nearly the perfect championship in 1984 when they won the tournament at home – the first major tournament France ever won. They had also been huge favourites when entering the tournament given their team of superstars that had made it to the semifinals of the 1982 world cup. The undisputed superstar of the team was Michel Platini from Juventus, who led a midfield that had become known as the “magic square”, with Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana from Bordeaux, as well as Luis Fernandez from Paris Saint Germain. It was a fantastic side that had opened the tournament with three straight wins against Denmark, Belgium and Yugoslavia. And Platini had been unstoppable with seven goals in the first three matches. In the semi-finals the French ran into their first trouble when Portugal led them 2-1 in extra time, but two late strikers by Toulouse's Jean Francois Domergue and Platini (who else?) put them in the final against Spain.
Spain had always been the unfulfilled giant in European football. With one of the greatest clubs in the world in Real Madrid, the national side had nevertheless always underperformed, perhaps due to the enormous rivalry between Real Madrid and the Catalonian side FC Barcelona. In 1982 Spain had hosted the world cup and expectations had been enormous, but Spain had in spite of home support and a strong side only made it to the second round after embarrassing results against Honduras and Northern Ireland. The Spanish team was captained by Real Sociedad's goalkeeper Luis Arconada, and was a combination of players from the three strongest Spanish teams (Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao), complemented by six more sides. It seemed like a good balance for the legendary coach Miguel Munoz.
Spain had qualified somewhat sensationally. Because of scoring difference they needed to win their final game by a margin of 11 goals against Malta. Spain won 12-1, and made it to the tournament ahead of the Netherlands. To make it to the semi-finals they had won their group ahead of Portugal when, in their last match against West Germany, Sporting Gijon's Antonio Maceda gave them the winning goal in the last minute of the match. In the semi-final they had also fought hard to defeat Denmark by penalties, but still making it to the final.
In Paris France seemed completely unbeatable, but the difficulties that Portugal had given the French gave the Spanish some hope.
Although dominating the not very memorable first half, France had no clear chances. On the other hand, Real Madrid's Santillana had a header which was cleared on the line. But twelve minutes into the second half whatever meager hopes Spain may have harboured were crushed. Michel Platini took a free kick outside the area. Not a particularly hard free kick, but the ball somewhat slipped under Luis Arconada's hands and into the goal. With such a gift by their captain, Spain was completely broken.
It was Michel's Platini's ninth goal of the tournament in five matches. A historic record.
Although France had everything under control, Spain had to try to push forward but to no avail. In the last minute of the match the AS Monaco striker Bruno Bellone got through in a counter-attack and alone with Arconada sealed the victory for France.
France were deserved and uncontested champions of Europe and Michel Platini was the king who would be named world player of the year.
Paris, 27th June 1984,
Parc des Princes
Attendance: 47,368
Referee: Vojtech Christov (Czechoslovakia)
France-Spain 2-0
France: Joel Bats; Jean-François Domergue, Maxime Bossis, Patrick Battiston (Manuel Amoros, 73), Yvon Le Roux, Luis Fernandez, Michel Platini (c), Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, Bruno Bellone, Bernard Lacombe (Bernard Genghini, 80). Coach: Michel Hidalgo
Spain: Luis Arconada (c); Santiago Urquiaga, José Antonio Camacho, Ricardo Gallego, Salva (Roberto, 85), Juan Antonio Señor, Victor Muñoz, Julio Alberto Moreno (Manuel Sarabia, 75), Francisco, Santillana, Francisco José Carrasco. Coach: Miguel Muñoz
Goals:
1-0 Platini (57)
2-0 Bellone (90)
Showing posts with label Michel Platini. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michel Platini. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Saturday, March 05, 2016
The Greatest Euro Matches: France-Portugal (1984)
During the 1960s and 1970s French football had gone into decline, but in 1976 Michel Hidalgo became national team coach, and he began building up a team around one of the most talented generations ever in French football. In the 1982 World Cup they played fantastic football and made it to a semi-final against West Germany which remains one of the most dramatic matches in World Cup history. As hosts of the European Championship of 1984 they did not have to qualify, and were huge favourites to win the tournament.
The undisputed star of the team was Michel Platini from Juventus, European footballer of the year in 1983, and soon to become the same in 1984 and 1985. But other brilliant players complemented him: Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana from Bordeaux, were generally considered two of the best midfielders in the world, and along with Platini and Luis Fernandez from Paris Saint Germain, they formed what was considered “the magic square”, the best midfield in the world at the time. On goal, Joel Bats from Auxerre was a solid goalkeeper behind a defense with strong players such as Patrick Battiston from Bordeaux, Maxime Bossis from Nantes and Manuel Amoros from Monaco. Up front the players that had the luxury of benefitting from the “Magic Square” were Bordeaux's Bernard Lacombe or Monaco's Bernard Genghini.
They had been awesome during the tournament: three victories in the first round against Denmark, Belgium and Yugoslavia put them up as huge favourites in the semifinals where they would meet Portugal, who was somewhat of a surprise in their first semifinals in the first European Championship ever.
Portugal had not done any great things since the 1966 World Cup, but had built up a side that would also make it to the World Cup of 1986, and this 1984 Euro was their first. They entered the tournament without huge expectations although everyone had noted that they in qualification had eliminated Poland (1982 World Cup bronze winners) and the USSR. In a group with West Germany, Spain, and Romania, Portugal surprised again: they opened with 0-0 against the Germans and then tied Spain 1-1. A 1-0 victory against Romania was enough to put them in the semifinals.
The Portuguese side was formed purely of players from the country's two big sides, Benfica and FC Porto, except for the veteran striker from Sporting Lisbon, Rui Jordao, who was also one of he most important players on the team alongside the Benfica striker Diamantino. The star of the team was Fernando Chalana from Benfica, still considered one of the greatest Portuguese players of all time and the leading midfield general of the Portuguese. The side was captained by the experienced Benfica goalkeeper Manuel Bento.
As hosts of the tournament France were the undoubted favourites against Portugal, and many considered that the semifinal would be a walkover on the way to the final, but the Portuguese wanted it differently in what would become one of the greatest matches in European Championship history.
In first half things seemed to go as planned for the French who were dominant. After 24 minutes Michel Platini was fouled outside the area, a place where the Frenchman was an expert free kick taker. However, it was not him who scored, it was Toulouse's Jean Francois Domergue.
The only consolation from the first half for the Portuguese was that they were only 1-0 down. In the second half they improved, but France still dominated, but without being able to pass Bento to score a decisive goal. Instead, as often happens in football, Portugal equalised when Jordao scored his first goal of the tournament on a header after a perfect cross by Chalana. This seemed to give the Portuguese renewed heart, but it was Bento who again made a spectacular double save that led to a tie and extra time.
It was now Portugal who seemed to have more energy, and eight minutes into extra time Chalana dribbled elegantly on the right side, made a cross into the French penalty box where Jordao on the far side volleyed the ball into an unlikely Portuguese lead.
Time seemed to move slower for Portugal from that moment, as France put everything into attack. Five minutes before the end Domergue equalised for France when receiving a ball that the Portuguese had been unable to clear. And just one minute from the end Portuguese dreams of a surprise were shattered when Jean Tigana ran through a Portuguese defense, and from the back line centered into an unmarked Michel Platini, who was as cool as an ice-cube when stopping the ball and placing it hard behind struggling Portuguese defenders.
Michel Platini's eighth goal of the tournament and surely his most important, as it put France in a final that they would end up defeating Spain in.
This was perhaps the best match in European Championship history.
Marseille, 23rd June 1984, Stade Velodrome
Attendance: 54,848
Referee: Paolo Bergamo, Italy
France-Portugal 3-2
France: Joel Bats; Jean-François Domergue, Maxime Bossis, Patrick Battiston, Yvan Le Roux, Luis Fernandez, Michel Platini, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, Didier Six (Bruno Bellon, 104), Bernard Lacombe (Jean Marc Ferreri, 64). Coach: Michel Hidalgo
Portugal: Bento; Joao Pinto, Lima Pereira, Eurico, Álvaro, Chalana, António Sousa (Nene, 62), Frasco, Jaime Pacheco, Diamantino (Fernando Gomes, 64), Jordão. Coach: Cabrita
Goals:
1-0 Domergue (24)
1-1 Jordão (74)
1-2 Jordão (98)
2-2 Domergue (114)
3-2 Platini (119)
The undisputed star of the team was Michel Platini from Juventus, European footballer of the year in 1983, and soon to become the same in 1984 and 1985. But other brilliant players complemented him: Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana from Bordeaux, were generally considered two of the best midfielders in the world, and along with Platini and Luis Fernandez from Paris Saint Germain, they formed what was considered “the magic square”, the best midfield in the world at the time. On goal, Joel Bats from Auxerre was a solid goalkeeper behind a defense with strong players such as Patrick Battiston from Bordeaux, Maxime Bossis from Nantes and Manuel Amoros from Monaco. Up front the players that had the luxury of benefitting from the “Magic Square” were Bordeaux's Bernard Lacombe or Monaco's Bernard Genghini.
They had been awesome during the tournament: three victories in the first round against Denmark, Belgium and Yugoslavia put them up as huge favourites in the semifinals where they would meet Portugal, who was somewhat of a surprise in their first semifinals in the first European Championship ever.
Portugal had not done any great things since the 1966 World Cup, but had built up a side that would also make it to the World Cup of 1986, and this 1984 Euro was their first. They entered the tournament without huge expectations although everyone had noted that they in qualification had eliminated Poland (1982 World Cup bronze winners) and the USSR. In a group with West Germany, Spain, and Romania, Portugal surprised again: they opened with 0-0 against the Germans and then tied Spain 1-1. A 1-0 victory against Romania was enough to put them in the semifinals.
The Portuguese side was formed purely of players from the country's two big sides, Benfica and FC Porto, except for the veteran striker from Sporting Lisbon, Rui Jordao, who was also one of he most important players on the team alongside the Benfica striker Diamantino. The star of the team was Fernando Chalana from Benfica, still considered one of the greatest Portuguese players of all time and the leading midfield general of the Portuguese. The side was captained by the experienced Benfica goalkeeper Manuel Bento.
As hosts of the tournament France were the undoubted favourites against Portugal, and many considered that the semifinal would be a walkover on the way to the final, but the Portuguese wanted it differently in what would become one of the greatest matches in European Championship history.
In first half things seemed to go as planned for the French who were dominant. After 24 minutes Michel Platini was fouled outside the area, a place where the Frenchman was an expert free kick taker. However, it was not him who scored, it was Toulouse's Jean Francois Domergue.
The only consolation from the first half for the Portuguese was that they were only 1-0 down. In the second half they improved, but France still dominated, but without being able to pass Bento to score a decisive goal. Instead, as often happens in football, Portugal equalised when Jordao scored his first goal of the tournament on a header after a perfect cross by Chalana. This seemed to give the Portuguese renewed heart, but it was Bento who again made a spectacular double save that led to a tie and extra time.
It was now Portugal who seemed to have more energy, and eight minutes into extra time Chalana dribbled elegantly on the right side, made a cross into the French penalty box where Jordao on the far side volleyed the ball into an unlikely Portuguese lead.
Time seemed to move slower for Portugal from that moment, as France put everything into attack. Five minutes before the end Domergue equalised for France when receiving a ball that the Portuguese had been unable to clear. And just one minute from the end Portuguese dreams of a surprise were shattered when Jean Tigana ran through a Portuguese defense, and from the back line centered into an unmarked Michel Platini, who was as cool as an ice-cube when stopping the ball and placing it hard behind struggling Portuguese defenders.
Michel Platini's eighth goal of the tournament and surely his most important, as it put France in a final that they would end up defeating Spain in.
This was perhaps the best match in European Championship history.
Marseille, 23rd June 1984, Stade Velodrome
Attendance: 54,848
Referee: Paolo Bergamo, Italy
France-Portugal 3-2
France: Joel Bats; Jean-François Domergue, Maxime Bossis, Patrick Battiston, Yvan Le Roux, Luis Fernandez, Michel Platini, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana, Didier Six (Bruno Bellon, 104), Bernard Lacombe (Jean Marc Ferreri, 64). Coach: Michel Hidalgo
Portugal: Bento; Joao Pinto, Lima Pereira, Eurico, Álvaro, Chalana, António Sousa (Nene, 62), Frasco, Jaime Pacheco, Diamantino (Fernando Gomes, 64), Jordão. Coach: Cabrita
Goals:
1-0 Domergue (24)
1-1 Jordão (74)
1-2 Jordão (98)
2-2 Domergue (114)
3-2 Platini (119)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Greatest World Cup matches: Brazil-France (1986)
Brazil’s squad for Mexico in 1986 included players from one of the most gifted generations of Brazilian football, that had nevertheless been humbled by Paolo Rossi and Italy in the 1982 World Cup. Among these players were Torino’s Junior, one of the best fullbacks in Brazilian football; Flamengo’s Zico, one of the best Brazilians of all-time; Flamengos’ legendary and charismatic midfielder Sócrates, as well as the ageing Falcão, who was finishing his career in São Paulo.
The 1986 World Cup in Mexico was the last chance for this golden generation to lift the trophy. The squad was nevertheless also supplemented by some good young players, among them the outstanding defenders Branco from Fluminense and Julio Cesar from Guaraní, as well as the dangerous São Paulo striker Careca.
The Brazilians had started the tournament well with three consecutive victories in the first round against Spain, Algeria and Northern Ireland. In the last-16 they had defeated an ageing Polish side 4-0, but the true test of their strength would come against the European champions of France in the quarterfinals.
France, who had reached the semifinals of the 1982 World Cup arguably had one of the best teams in the world. In 1984, at home, they had been awesome in taking the European championship, where the Juventus star and three-time European player of the year (1983, 84 and 85) Michel Platini had been absolutely outstanding.
Platini was nevertheless not alone, as he presided over what was dubbed “the magic square” (Carré Magique) on the French midfield, composed of Platini himself, the superb Alain Giresse from Bordeaux, and the defensive midfielders Jean Tigana, also from Bordeaux, and Luis Fernandez from Paris Saint-Germain. In defence the French had one of the best defenders of his age, Monaco’s Manuel Amoros, as well as the veteran Nantes’ player Maxime Bossis.
The French had not been that strong in their first matches though, where they had only managed a 1-0 victory against Canada on a late goal by the young Jean-Pierre Papin, then tied 1-1 with the strong USSR and defeated the poor Hungarians 3-0. In the last-16 the French had been faced with the defending world champions of Italy, whom they had defeated 2-0, and were now to face Brazil in one of the most anticipated quarterfinals of the tournament: Brazil and France were two of the best teams in the world in 1986, both playing exhilarating and entertaining football.
The match was no disappointment, and although it perhaps lacked goals, it was one of the best displays of technical skill, attacking football and pace in World Cup history.
The match started at a fast pace, and only after a few minutes Manuel Amoros had an excellent shot from outside. Manuel Amoros would in fact be at the center of the action, playing an outstanding match in defence as the Brazilians attacked again and again. After 17 minutes, following quick combinations between Muller and Junior, the latter found Careca alone at the edge of the area, and the São Paulo striker made no mistake in bringing Brazil ahead.
Brazil continued attacking, and the French defenders fought well, although also with some luck, as when Muller hit the woodwork. However, France patiently worked themselves into the match, and after 41 minutes Dominique Rocheteau centered from the right side. The ball was slightly deflected by a defender, as Yannck Stopyra crashed into the Brazilian goalkeeper Carlos trying to get a header, but with both missing the ball. On the far post, Michel Platini had no problem pushing the ball into an empty goal, as Carlos and Stopyra lay in the center.
The score was 1-1 at halftime.
Both teams opened up more in the second half, and seeking goals, both teams had good chances, although Brazil came closest, with Careca hitting the post on an excellent header. But as the match advanced and nothing happened, the Brazilian coach Tele Santana decided to change Muller for the legendary Zico, who had started the match as a substitute. And after only five minutes the ageing Brazilian took center stage: a perfect through-ball to Branco forced the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Joel Bats to make a penalty. The experienced Zico was to take it, but shot poorly against the experienced Bats (who is still considered one of the best French goalkeepers of all time), who saved.
Brazil had seen victory within their reach, but the match ended 1-1, and went into extra time.
Although the players were tired after 90 minutes in the hot Guadalajara sun, both teams still sought victory, with the best chance coming to France’s striker Bruno Bellone, who had come on as a substitute for Rocheteau. Alone with Carlos, the French goalkeeper clearly went for Bellone, who out of balance from Carlos foul missed his chance.
Scandalously, the Romanian referee Igna didn’t do anything against this clear foul.
Thus, the extraordinary match would have to be decided by a nerve-wrecking penalty shootout.
One of the greatest stars, Zico, had missed a penalty. Now, Brazil’s captain, Sócrates, was to shoot the first penalty for Brazil, and his shot was also spectacularly saved by Bats. All the advantages were now with France. At the score 3-3, Michel Platini had to shoot for France to bring them ahead; with his experience and technique, it was a surprise when he shot over goal, levelling the shoot-out to the relief of the Brazilians.
All the super-stars seemed to be missing penalties!
It was then the turn of the defender Julio Cesar, who at the time was playing in the French club Stade Brestois 29, to shoot. His hard shot hit the post, and the score was levelled again before the last player went to shoot: Luis Fernandez, the experienced Paris Saint-Germain midfielder made no mistake in scoring the winning penalty for France on a low shot to the right of Carlos.
Zico and Sócrates would never be world champions, this being their last World Cup. In the meantime, the French had proven strongest against the toughest opposition, and emerged from this match as favorites for the world cup title together with Argentina. However, in the semifinal France was to face their eternal nightmare, West Germany. And just as had happened in 1982, West Germany proved to be too clever for the French, who had to return to France with bronze medals.
France and Brazil in 1986 were two of the best teams ever never to win a world championship, but still gave the world a wonderful match in their quarterfinal. All men on that pitch that day went far beyond being athletes, but became artists.
I was not old, but remember watching this match and being in awe at the speed, quality and intensity. It was true football beauty all the way through, and I think I still remember the match as the best I have ever watched.
Match Stats:
Goals: 1-0 Careca (17), 1-1 Platini (40)
Penalty kicks:
Brazil-France 3-4
Socrates missed for Brazil
0-1 Stopyra
1-1 Alemão
1-2 Amoros
2-2 Zico
2-3 Bellone
3-3 Branco
Platini missed for France
Julio Cesar missed for Brazil
3-4 Fernandez
Teams:
Brazil: Carlos, Edinho, Junior (Silas), Julio Cesar, Alemão, Branco, Socrates, Elzo, Muller (Zico), Josimar, Careca
France: Bats; Amoros, Battiston, Bossis, Tusseau, Fernandez, Platini, Giresse (Ferreri), Tigana, Rocheteau (Bellone), Stopyra
The 1986 World Cup in Mexico was the last chance for this golden generation to lift the trophy. The squad was nevertheless also supplemented by some good young players, among them the outstanding defenders Branco from Fluminense and Julio Cesar from Guaraní, as well as the dangerous São Paulo striker Careca.
The Brazilians had started the tournament well with three consecutive victories in the first round against Spain, Algeria and Northern Ireland. In the last-16 they had defeated an ageing Polish side 4-0, but the true test of their strength would come against the European champions of France in the quarterfinals.
France, who had reached the semifinals of the 1982 World Cup arguably had one of the best teams in the world. In 1984, at home, they had been awesome in taking the European championship, where the Juventus star and three-time European player of the year (1983, 84 and 85) Michel Platini had been absolutely outstanding.
Platini was nevertheless not alone, as he presided over what was dubbed “the magic square” (Carré Magique) on the French midfield, composed of Platini himself, the superb Alain Giresse from Bordeaux, and the defensive midfielders Jean Tigana, also from Bordeaux, and Luis Fernandez from Paris Saint-Germain. In defence the French had one of the best defenders of his age, Monaco’s Manuel Amoros, as well as the veteran Nantes’ player Maxime Bossis.
The French had not been that strong in their first matches though, where they had only managed a 1-0 victory against Canada on a late goal by the young Jean-Pierre Papin, then tied 1-1 with the strong USSR and defeated the poor Hungarians 3-0. In the last-16 the French had been faced with the defending world champions of Italy, whom they had defeated 2-0, and were now to face Brazil in one of the most anticipated quarterfinals of the tournament: Brazil and France were two of the best teams in the world in 1986, both playing exhilarating and entertaining football.
The match was no disappointment, and although it perhaps lacked goals, it was one of the best displays of technical skill, attacking football and pace in World Cup history.
The match started at a fast pace, and only after a few minutes Manuel Amoros had an excellent shot from outside. Manuel Amoros would in fact be at the center of the action, playing an outstanding match in defence as the Brazilians attacked again and again. After 17 minutes, following quick combinations between Muller and Junior, the latter found Careca alone at the edge of the area, and the São Paulo striker made no mistake in bringing Brazil ahead.
Brazil continued attacking, and the French defenders fought well, although also with some luck, as when Muller hit the woodwork. However, France patiently worked themselves into the match, and after 41 minutes Dominique Rocheteau centered from the right side. The ball was slightly deflected by a defender, as Yannck Stopyra crashed into the Brazilian goalkeeper Carlos trying to get a header, but with both missing the ball. On the far post, Michel Platini had no problem pushing the ball into an empty goal, as Carlos and Stopyra lay in the center.
The score was 1-1 at halftime.
Both teams opened up more in the second half, and seeking goals, both teams had good chances, although Brazil came closest, with Careca hitting the post on an excellent header. But as the match advanced and nothing happened, the Brazilian coach Tele Santana decided to change Muller for the legendary Zico, who had started the match as a substitute. And after only five minutes the ageing Brazilian took center stage: a perfect through-ball to Branco forced the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Joel Bats to make a penalty. The experienced Zico was to take it, but shot poorly against the experienced Bats (who is still considered one of the best French goalkeepers of all time), who saved.
Brazil had seen victory within their reach, but the match ended 1-1, and went into extra time.
Although the players were tired after 90 minutes in the hot Guadalajara sun, both teams still sought victory, with the best chance coming to France’s striker Bruno Bellone, who had come on as a substitute for Rocheteau. Alone with Carlos, the French goalkeeper clearly went for Bellone, who out of balance from Carlos foul missed his chance.
Scandalously, the Romanian referee Igna didn’t do anything against this clear foul.
Thus, the extraordinary match would have to be decided by a nerve-wrecking penalty shootout.
One of the greatest stars, Zico, had missed a penalty. Now, Brazil’s captain, Sócrates, was to shoot the first penalty for Brazil, and his shot was also spectacularly saved by Bats. All the advantages were now with France. At the score 3-3, Michel Platini had to shoot for France to bring them ahead; with his experience and technique, it was a surprise when he shot over goal, levelling the shoot-out to the relief of the Brazilians.
All the super-stars seemed to be missing penalties!
It was then the turn of the defender Julio Cesar, who at the time was playing in the French club Stade Brestois 29, to shoot. His hard shot hit the post, and the score was levelled again before the last player went to shoot: Luis Fernandez, the experienced Paris Saint-Germain midfielder made no mistake in scoring the winning penalty for France on a low shot to the right of Carlos.
Zico and Sócrates would never be world champions, this being their last World Cup. In the meantime, the French had proven strongest against the toughest opposition, and emerged from this match as favorites for the world cup title together with Argentina. However, in the semifinal France was to face their eternal nightmare, West Germany. And just as had happened in 1982, West Germany proved to be too clever for the French, who had to return to France with bronze medals.
France and Brazil in 1986 were two of the best teams ever never to win a world championship, but still gave the world a wonderful match in their quarterfinal. All men on that pitch that day went far beyond being athletes, but became artists.
I was not old, but remember watching this match and being in awe at the speed, quality and intensity. It was true football beauty all the way through, and I think I still remember the match as the best I have ever watched.
Match Stats:
- 21st June 1986, Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara
- Attendance: 65,000
- Referee: Ioan Igna (Romania)
Goals: 1-0 Careca (17), 1-1 Platini (40)
Penalty kicks:
Brazil-France 3-4
Socrates missed for Brazil
0-1 Stopyra
1-1 Alemão
1-2 Amoros
2-2 Zico
2-3 Bellone
3-3 Branco
Platini missed for France
Julio Cesar missed for Brazil
3-4 Fernandez
Teams:
Brazil: Carlos, Edinho, Junior (Silas), Julio Cesar, Alemão, Branco, Socrates, Elzo, Muller (Zico), Josimar, Careca
France: Bats; Amoros, Battiston, Bossis, Tusseau, Fernandez, Platini, Giresse (Ferreri), Tigana, Rocheteau (Bellone), Stopyra
Monday, February 15, 2010
Greatest World Cup matches: France-West Germany (1982)
France had never been World champion, but in the early 1980’s the French were fostering a team of extremely talented players that would go on to win the European championship in 1984. However, in the 1982 World Cup they were still not considered a favourite for the title, and they had started by losing 3-1 to a strong English side (in a match where Bryan Robson scored the fastest goal in World Cup history), but victories against Kuwait and a tie against Czechoslovakia had put them in the second round. There, they had not had a difficult time; they defeated Austria 1-0 and the surprising team of Northern Ireland had been easily dispatched with 4-1. France was now unexpectedly one step from their first World Cup final, facing the defending European champions of West Germany.
The French team was captained by the elegant Michel Platini from Saint-Étienne, who was already hailed as one of the best French players ever, but would only become better in the following years.
The Germans had arguably become the most unpopular team of the tournament after their first round loss to Algeria, and what everyone considered the “fixed” 1-0 win over Austria, that had put themselves and the Austrians in the second round at the expense of Algeria.
In the second round West Germany had tied England 0-0, and a 2-1 victory against the home team of Spain, was enough to put them in the semi-final, where they were nevertheless considered as favourites against the French side.
63,000 fans in Sevilla and TV audiences around the world would be witness to one of the greatest dramas in World cup history.
The match started best for the Germans when, after 17 minutes the veteran Paul Breitner made a perfect through-pass to another veterean, 1. FC Köln’s Klaus Fischer, who dashed towards goal between two French defenders. French goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ettori came out quickly and blocked the shot, but the ball fell to another 1. FC Köln player, the young Pierre Littbarski, at the edge of the penalty area, who resolutely shot the ball past Ettori.
Barely ten minutes later the Dutch referee Charles Corver, awarded France a penalty kick when Paris Saint-Germain’s Dominique Rocheteau was brought down as he was pursuing a header. Michel Platini scored, and the match was again levelled.
On goal, West Germany had Harald “Toni” Schumacher, perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world at the time, but also a controversial and provocative person, who would in 1987 be banned from the German national team and his club, 1. FC Köln, for having written a controversial autobiography, Ampfiff.
In this match, Schumacher would also play a central role in one of the most controversial incidents in the history of the World Cup.
First half ended 1-1, and fifteen minutes into the second half Michel Platini’s team-mate from Saint-Étienne Patrick Battiston came on. Only five minutes later Platini made a perfect through pass to Battiston, who had a free run towards the German goal. Schumacher came rushing out of the goal, and at the edge of the penalty area jumped violently into Battiston, who fell unconscious to the ground, as the ball calmly went past the goal.
The Frenchman had to be given emergency oxygen, lost many teeth, and was immediately taken to the hospital with a severe concussion. In one of the oddest refereeing decisions in World Cup history, the referee did not call a foul nor gave Schumacher a card. Instead, West Germany was awarded a goal-kick, while Battison had to be replaced by Christian Lopez, another Saint-Étienne player.
Schumacher’s cynicism and violence only made the Germans even more unpopular.
As the match wore on the elegant French put pressure on West Germany, whose players were increasingly resorting to fouls to stop the French attacking waves. In the 83rd minute Manuel Amoros, from AS Monaco, had a shot on the crossbar, but in the dying minutes of the match, Karl Heinz Föerster and Paul Breitner forced Ettori to some good saves.
The match had ended 1-1 and had to go into extra time.
France continued attacking, and only two minutes into extra time managed to score. Bordeaux’s elegant little midfielder, Alain Giresse took a free kick from the right side, and a slight diversion of the ball from a German defender caused it to fall to an unmarked Marius Trésor, also from Bordeaux, who scored with a perfect volley into the German goal.
But the French didn’t stop there. Six minutes later Alain Giresse himself received the ball from Didier Six in the face of meager German defending, and scored on a perfect shot out of Schumacher’s range.
3-1 in extra time, and victory seemed all but certain for France.
But the stubborn Germans refused to give up, and four minutes later Bayern Munich’s K.H. Rummennigge (European footballer of the year in 1981 and 1982), who had only entered the match five minutes before as a substitute for Hans Peter Briegel, scored the German’s second goal in a counter-attack by fighting his way ahead of a defender on a cross by Stielike.
The score was 3-2 for France as the team went on to the last 15 minutes of the extra time. The now confident Germans immediately attacked. On a cross from Littbarski into the French penalty area, Hamburg’s stupendous header, Horst Hrubesch, ascended and headed to ball towards the edge of the six-yard box where Klaus Fischer scored on an a spectacular bycicle kick to make it 3-3. After being completely down, West Germany had turned the match around in the most spectacular fashion!
Without further goals from the tired players, the extraordinary match had to be decided by the first penalty shoot-out in World Cup history. Before penalty shoot-outs matches were decided by draws after extra time, and so the penalty shoot-out was introduced in the World Cup of 1978, where it didn’t become necessary, mostly due to the fact that the tournaments were played in the form of two group stages.
France started shooting, and ahead 3-2 Uli Stielike missed the third shot for the West Germans. Disappointed and being consoled by Pierre Littbarski, Harald Schumacher leveled the match again by saving the following kick from Didier Six. As Platini and Rummenigge both scored on their following kicks, it all came down to the last kicks. Nantes’ veteran defender, Maxime Bossis shot the last one for France, and Schumacher saved. In the following shot, Horst Hrubesch made no mistake and scored, putting West Germany in their fourth World Cup final of all time, against Italy, a match they would go on to lose 3-1.
In the meantime, a disappointed French side faced Poland in the match for bronze, and lost 3-2.
This semifinal was surely one of the greatest dramas in World Cup history between these two European giants.
Michel Platini later said about the match: "For me, no book or film or play could ever recapture the way I felt that day. It was so complete, so strong and so fabulous."
Indeed.
Match Stats:
Goals: 0-1 Littbarski (17), 1-1 Platini (26) (pen), 1-2 Trésor (92), 1-3 Giresse (98), 2-3 K.H. Rummenigge (102), 3-3 Fischer (108)
Penalty kicks:
France-West Germany 5-4
1-0 Giresse
1-1 Kaltz
2-1 Amoros
2-2 Breitner
3-2 Rocheteau
Stielike misses
Six misses
3-3 Littbarski
4-3 Platini
4-4 K.H. Rummenigge
Bossis misses
5-4 Hrubesch
Teams:
France: Ettori; Amoros, Bossis, Janvion, Trésor, Genghini (Battiston) (Lopez) , Platini, Giresse, Tigana, Rocheteau, Six
West Germany: Schumacher; K.H. Foerster, Briegel (K.H. Rummenigge), B. Foerster, Breitner, Kaltz, Dremmler, Littbarski, Fischer, Magath (Hrubesch), Stielike
The French team was captained by the elegant Michel Platini from Saint-Étienne, who was already hailed as one of the best French players ever, but would only become better in the following years.
The Germans had arguably become the most unpopular team of the tournament after their first round loss to Algeria, and what everyone considered the “fixed” 1-0 win over Austria, that had put themselves and the Austrians in the second round at the expense of Algeria.
In the second round West Germany had tied England 0-0, and a 2-1 victory against the home team of Spain, was enough to put them in the semi-final, where they were nevertheless considered as favourites against the French side.
63,000 fans in Sevilla and TV audiences around the world would be witness to one of the greatest dramas in World cup history.
The match started best for the Germans when, after 17 minutes the veteran Paul Breitner made a perfect through-pass to another veterean, 1. FC Köln’s Klaus Fischer, who dashed towards goal between two French defenders. French goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ettori came out quickly and blocked the shot, but the ball fell to another 1. FC Köln player, the young Pierre Littbarski, at the edge of the penalty area, who resolutely shot the ball past Ettori.
Barely ten minutes later the Dutch referee Charles Corver, awarded France a penalty kick when Paris Saint-Germain’s Dominique Rocheteau was brought down as he was pursuing a header. Michel Platini scored, and the match was again levelled.
On goal, West Germany had Harald “Toni” Schumacher, perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world at the time, but also a controversial and provocative person, who would in 1987 be banned from the German national team and his club, 1. FC Köln, for having written a controversial autobiography, Ampfiff.
In this match, Schumacher would also play a central role in one of the most controversial incidents in the history of the World Cup.
First half ended 1-1, and fifteen minutes into the second half Michel Platini’s team-mate from Saint-Étienne Patrick Battiston came on. Only five minutes later Platini made a perfect through pass to Battiston, who had a free run towards the German goal. Schumacher came rushing out of the goal, and at the edge of the penalty area jumped violently into Battiston, who fell unconscious to the ground, as the ball calmly went past the goal.
The Frenchman had to be given emergency oxygen, lost many teeth, and was immediately taken to the hospital with a severe concussion. In one of the oddest refereeing decisions in World Cup history, the referee did not call a foul nor gave Schumacher a card. Instead, West Germany was awarded a goal-kick, while Battison had to be replaced by Christian Lopez, another Saint-Étienne player.
Schumacher’s cynicism and violence only made the Germans even more unpopular.
As the match wore on the elegant French put pressure on West Germany, whose players were increasingly resorting to fouls to stop the French attacking waves. In the 83rd minute Manuel Amoros, from AS Monaco, had a shot on the crossbar, but in the dying minutes of the match, Karl Heinz Föerster and Paul Breitner forced Ettori to some good saves.
The match had ended 1-1 and had to go into extra time.
France continued attacking, and only two minutes into extra time managed to score. Bordeaux’s elegant little midfielder, Alain Giresse took a free kick from the right side, and a slight diversion of the ball from a German defender caused it to fall to an unmarked Marius Trésor, also from Bordeaux, who scored with a perfect volley into the German goal.
But the French didn’t stop there. Six minutes later Alain Giresse himself received the ball from Didier Six in the face of meager German defending, and scored on a perfect shot out of Schumacher’s range.
3-1 in extra time, and victory seemed all but certain for France.
But the stubborn Germans refused to give up, and four minutes later Bayern Munich’s K.H. Rummennigge (European footballer of the year in 1981 and 1982), who had only entered the match five minutes before as a substitute for Hans Peter Briegel, scored the German’s second goal in a counter-attack by fighting his way ahead of a defender on a cross by Stielike.
The score was 3-2 for France as the team went on to the last 15 minutes of the extra time. The now confident Germans immediately attacked. On a cross from Littbarski into the French penalty area, Hamburg’s stupendous header, Horst Hrubesch, ascended and headed to ball towards the edge of the six-yard box where Klaus Fischer scored on an a spectacular bycicle kick to make it 3-3. After being completely down, West Germany had turned the match around in the most spectacular fashion!
Without further goals from the tired players, the extraordinary match had to be decided by the first penalty shoot-out in World Cup history. Before penalty shoot-outs matches were decided by draws after extra time, and so the penalty shoot-out was introduced in the World Cup of 1978, where it didn’t become necessary, mostly due to the fact that the tournaments were played in the form of two group stages.
France started shooting, and ahead 3-2 Uli Stielike missed the third shot for the West Germans. Disappointed and being consoled by Pierre Littbarski, Harald Schumacher leveled the match again by saving the following kick from Didier Six. As Platini and Rummenigge both scored on their following kicks, it all came down to the last kicks. Nantes’ veteran defender, Maxime Bossis shot the last one for France, and Schumacher saved. In the following shot, Horst Hrubesch made no mistake and scored, putting West Germany in their fourth World Cup final of all time, against Italy, a match they would go on to lose 3-1.
In the meantime, a disappointed French side faced Poland in the match for bronze, and lost 3-2.
This semifinal was surely one of the greatest dramas in World Cup history between these two European giants.
Michel Platini later said about the match: "For me, no book or film or play could ever recapture the way I felt that day. It was so complete, so strong and so fabulous."
Indeed.
Match Stats:
- 8th July 1982, Estadio Ramon Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville
- Attendance: 63,000
- Referee: Charles Corver, Netherlands
Goals: 0-1 Littbarski (17), 1-1 Platini (26) (pen), 1-2 Trésor (92), 1-3 Giresse (98), 2-3 K.H. Rummenigge (102), 3-3 Fischer (108)
Penalty kicks:
France-West Germany 5-4
1-0 Giresse
1-1 Kaltz
2-1 Amoros
2-2 Breitner
3-2 Rocheteau
Stielike misses
Six misses
3-3 Littbarski
4-3 Platini
4-4 K.H. Rummenigge
Bossis misses
5-4 Hrubesch
Teams:
France: Ettori; Amoros, Bossis, Janvion, Trésor, Genghini (Battiston) (Lopez) , Platini, Giresse, Tigana, Rocheteau, Six
West Germany: Schumacher; K.H. Foerster, Briegel (K.H. Rummenigge), B. Foerster, Breitner, Kaltz, Dremmler, Littbarski, Fischer, Magath (Hrubesch), Stielike
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
EURO All-time most scoring players
With one goal against Italy (albeit in a clear off-side position), Ruud Van Nistelroij has equalized the legendary Marco Van Basten with five goals, in the number of goals scored in the UEFA Euro finals of all time.
In fact, the table of all time scoring players in the UEFA Euro finals is probably going to go through some changes soon:
Of these however, only Van Nistelrooij and Nuno Gomes seem with good possibilities, since
Milan Baros has had a poor season and barely starts in for the Czechs, while Thierry Henry is still dangerous but playing on a French team that seems more and more tired and demotivated.
And well, then there are other marginal players who may enter the list after this Euro: David Villa, or Cristiano Ronaldo or Lukas Podolski, depending on how their teams do in the tournament the coming weeks!
In fact, the table of all time scoring players in the UEFA Euro finals is probably going to go through some changes soon:
- Michel Platini, France, 1984, 9 goals
- Alan Shearer, England, 1996 and 2000, 7 goals
- Patrick Kluivert, Netherlands, 1996 and 2000, 6 goals
- Marco Van Basten, Netherlands, 1988, 5 goals
- Savo Milosevic, Yugoslavia, 2000, 5 goals
- Milan Baros, Czech Republic, 2004, 5 goals
- Nuno Gomes, Portugal, 2000 and 2004, 5 goals
- Thierry Henry, France, 2000 and 2004, 5 goals
- Zinedine Zidane, France, 2000 and 2004, 5 goals
- Ruud Van Nisterooij, Netherlands, 2004 and 2008, 5 goals
- Jurgen Klinsmann, Germany, 1988, 1992 and 1996, 5 goals
Of these however, only Van Nistelrooij and Nuno Gomes seem with good possibilities, since
Milan Baros has had a poor season and barely starts in for the Czechs, while Thierry Henry is still dangerous but playing on a French team that seems more and more tired and demotivated.
And well, then there are other marginal players who may enter the list after this Euro: David Villa, or Cristiano Ronaldo or Lukas Podolski, depending on how their teams do in the tournament the coming weeks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)