ARGENTINA 1978

In a remarkable comparison to West Germany four years earlier, a fantastic Dutch side lost in the final to the hosts. The only real difference was Johann Cruyff had retired in the build-up to the final. Who knows what would have happened if the great man had boarded the plane to Argentina. But that is another story, and what ifs are pointless in football. The tournament took on the same format as the 1974 tournament. Such giants as European champions Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union missed out, and the love was shared around the world with first appearances for Iran and Tunisia. And of course, England failed to qualify. Again! This time they were foiled by Italy. And the useless fact for this tournament - Coca Cola was a sponsor for the World Cup for the first time. And they still are today. As was its custom, the tournament switched back to South America after having been in Europe, and what was encountered was one of the most controversial spectacles of all time. Argentina had suffered a controversial military coup in 1976, and some countries, most notably Holland, considered whether to participate. In the end, all 16 countries turned up in Argentina. There would be more allegations of corruption later in the tournament, but more on that later. Group 1 was fairly comprehensive - Italy and the hosts easily qualified for the second stage ahead of France and Hungary, who were now very much the fallen power of European football. Paolo Rossi had his first brush with the World Cup in Argentina. Following a turbulent intervening four years, he would write a bigger chapter in World Cup history in 1982. Group 2 was notably for Tunisia beating Mexico 3-1 - the first win in the finals stages of a tournament for an African country. A big moment! A win against Germany in their final game would have taken them through, but they had to settle for a draw! The Germans qualified along with Poland, who had Zbiginew Boniek to add to the heroes of 1974 like Lato and Deyna. Group 3 was another which went down to the last game. Austria, hardly a footballing powerhouse, surprisingly topped a group containing Brazil, Sweden and Spain. This was largely thanks to the legend that was Hans Krankl. Brazil beat the Austrians in their last game to reach the second round, but the Austrians had already qualified thanks to wins over Sweden and Spain. In an extremely controversial moment, Welsh referee Clive Thomas disallowed a last minute Brazilian goal against Sweden, because he'd blown his whistle while the ball was still in the air. But more on that later. The last first round group was probably the most exciting of the lot. For the second tournament in a row, Scotland were flying the flag for the Home Nations. And for the second tournament in a row, they crashed out on goal difference. In a tournament which started off in disgrace, with star player Willie Johnston sent home from failing a drugs test, it almost turned into glory as they pushed favourites Holland all the way in their final game. The finals started in calamity for the Scots. Despite Leeds United striker Joe Jordan giving them the lead against Peru, the South Americans stormed back to show 1970 wasn't a flash in the pan to win 3-1, Teofilo Cubillas again their star player, scoring twice. Holland beat Iran 3-0, with Rob Rensenbrimk scoring a hat-trick, showing there was life after the great man. Then Johnson failed his test and was on the next plane home, and when Scotland could only draw with minnows Iran, they seemed doomed. When Rensenbrink scored a penalty to give Holland the lead, things seemed to be going from bad to worse. But either side of half-time, Kenny Dalglish and an Archie Gemmill penalty gave the Scots renewed hope. Then, we witnessed one of the greatest goals the World Cup has ever witnessed. Gemmill jinked through the Dutch defence, taking on anyone in his way, and dinked the ball over the keeper. Suddenly, Soctland were one goal away from qualifying. However, as soon as hope was restored, it was quickly blocked out again, as Johnny Rep scored three minutes later to end their hopes for good. In the first second round group, all of the participants were European. And as it worked out, the last match effectively turned out to be a semi-final. Both Italy and Holland had drawn with West Germany (the latter courtsey of a late Rene van der Kerkhof goal), ending the Germans reign as world champions. When both beat Austria, the winner of their final game would progress to the final. The Dutch held their nerve, despite an Erny Brandts own goal giving the Italians a half-time lead. But this Dutch team was made of strong stuff, and Brandts scored at the right end to level the match. With 15 minutes left, Arie Hann scored from a stupendous distance to ensure the Dutch would have the chance to make amends for 1974. To say group B was controversial was an understatement. And it also meant that, from now on, the crucial games final games in a group would kick-off at the same time. And rightly so. The favourites in thsi group, Argentina and Brazil, had drawn 0-0. Brzail beat Peru 3-0 while Argentina beat Poland 2-0, going into the final games. Brazil played their game first, beating Poland 3-1, meaning Argentina, kicking-off later against Peru, would have to beat Peru by four clear goals. It was just the 2-0 at half-time, but two goals in the first six minutes of the second half gave them the four goals they required, and they went onto win 6-0. In a tournament surrounded by controversy due to the military coup two years earlier, rumours persisted that the Peruvians had been bribed to 'not play to the best of their ability' - especially as the Peru keeper, Ramon Quiroga, was a naturalised Peruvian, having been born where? Yes, you guessed it, Argentina. But nothing could be proved, and that gave us a final of the hosts against the favourites. Could Holland lay their ghosts from West Germany to rest? No they couldn't. There was yet more controversy, as the Dutch accused the Argentinians of stalling the match, questionning the legality of a plaster cast on Rene van der Kerkhof's arm, and they claimed this built tension in the hostile crowd. The tournament's eventual top scorer, Mario Kempes, gave the hosts the lead but Dirk Nanninga levelled the scores. In the defininig moment of the tournament, the star player of Argentina 1978, Rob Rensenbrink, saw his shot agonisingly hit the post in stoppage time. Kempes' second gave the hosts the lead again, and Daniel Bertoli clinched Argentina their first ever World Cup. And the rest, as they say, was history. Ticker taper poured onto the pitch, and the Argentines celebrated like never before. With all the controversy surrounding the final and before the Dutch refused to attend the post-match ceremonies. It is very hard to say that Argentina were the best team in the 1978 World Cup, but they definitely took advantage of some favourable decisions and circumstances. They would win again in 1986 - and that triumph would not be without its own controversies. And 1978 was also the last edition with 16 competing nations - the best was expanding.

CONTROVERSY - WILLIE JOHNSTON SENT HOME IN DISGRACE

The tournament started in disgrace for the only British representatives. Having lost to surprise package 3-1 despite having taken the lead. But things got worse after the match. Left-winger Willie Johnston failed a drugs test for taking a banned substance after the match, and he was sent home in disgrace. The West Brom player's international career was promptly ended at 22 caps, and manager Ally McLeod, who had predicted that Scotland would win the World Cup pre-tournament, was furious. Scotland seemed to be tainted!

GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT - ARCHIE GEMMILL VS HOLLAND

In what was widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history, it was not quite enough for the Scots to break their first round voodoo. In a career that included three English titles and a European cup, this is widely regarded as Gemmill's greatest moment of his career. Gemmill strode forward, played a delicate one-two with Kenny Dalglish before taking the return, waltzing past a few Dutch challenges before lifting the ball over the keeper Jongbloed. It wasn't enough for the Scots to progress, but what a goal.

GAFFE OF THE TOURNAMENT - CLIVE THOMAS, BRAZIL VS SWEDEN

While it did not matter to the eventual outcome of the group, this gaffe by Clive Thomas was certainly curious, and signalled the end of his international refereeing career. Going into injury-time, Thomas awarded a corner to Brazil. As the ball was swung over, Thomas surprsingly blew the whistle for full-time. So, despite Zico powering a header into the roof off the net, the goal was disallowed to much consternation. In my rudimentary knowledge of the game, I'm pretty sure the referee is meant to wait until the play is over (in this instance a corner) before ending the game!

UNFORTUNATE PREDICTION - ALLY MCLEOD

When McLeod became Scotland manager in 1977, he announced himself to the squad saying 'I am a winner,' and predicted Scotland would be back from Argentina with at least a medal. A defeat against a South American minnow, a star player sent home after failing a drugs test and a draw with World Cup debutants later and he was not quite so brash. He survived one game post-World Cup before resigning.

PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT - ROB RENSENBRINK

It would be easy to give this award to six goal top scorer Mario Kempes, the only Argentine player plying his trade abroad and the star turn in the hosts and champions. But that would be wrong in light of the favourable conditions with which the Argentines won. So, the honour goes to Rensenbrink, who helped the Dutch realise there was hope after Cruyff. He scored five goals in their run to another final, and he could have written his name into history had his shot in injury-time in the final gone in rather than hit the post - he would have been the top scorer and scored the tournament winning goal. And the Anderlecht player wasn't even a striker - left-wing was his preferred position!

MASCOT - GAUCHITO

A boy wearing an Argentina kit. His hat, neckerchief and whip were typical of Gaucho's (kind of cowboys) found in Argentina


SPAIN 1982

The tournament expanded to 24 teams for the World Cup in Spain, reflecting how the global game of football was expanding. It also saw England make their first appearance since 1970, under Ron Greenwood. Northern Ireland and Scotland were also present in Spain, meaning Wales were the only home nation not to be represented. And if Wales had got a point against the Soviet Union in their last qualifier, they would have completed the quartet. Once more, there were surpises in qualifying, meaning some big names missed out - such as Holland, Sweden and Mexico, while Algeria, Honduras, Cameroon, Kuwait and New Zealand all participated for the first time. And as I said, England got the better of Romania, Switzerland and Norway to seal their return. Being that there were now 24 teams, this meant the format of the competition had to change slightly. The groups were divided into six groups of four teams, where the top two advanced to a second group phase, where they were divided into four groups of three teams, and the group winner would go to the semi-finals. This would be the last World Cup where there would be a second group phase. And that can only be classed as a good thing. This World Cup, probably for the first time, saw a consistent strong showing from the so called minnows. In group 1, Cameroon drew all their games on their debut, including a 1-1 draw in the final game with Italy. Another goal would have knocked out the eventual World Champions, who followed Poland in the second phase. Group 2 witnessed one of the greates upsets in World Cup history - and also one of the greatest carve-ups. Algeria, on their debut, beat European Champions West Germany 2-1. This meant the Germans were in danger of crashing out. They beat Chile, as did Austria, who also beat Algeria. When Algeria beat Chile 3-2, despite conceding what would prove to be two costly late goals, this meant the only score which could send both the Europeans through was a one goal win for the Germans. And what was the final score? West Germany 1-0 Austria. Horst Hrubesch scored in the tenth minute, and the rest of the match resembled a training match. Belgium and World Champions Argentina progressed from group 3, which showed that the World Cup could still have the odd thrashing - Hungary 10-1 El Salvador to be precise. England marked their return to the World Cup with the fastest goal in World Cup history against France in group 4, captain Bryan Robson scoring after 27 seconds. Greenwood's men breezed through thanks to the goals of Trevor Francis and Paul Mariner. France joined them in the second phase. Group 5 saw yet more surprises - Northern Ireland showed they were not there to just make up the numbers. In a close group, everyone took points off each other. Honduras held hosts Spain, and Northern Ireland did likewise to a strong Yugoslavia side. Spain practically secured their place in the next round thanks to a win against Yugoslavia, while Northern Ireland and Honduras drew. When Yugoslavia beat Honduras, this left Northern Ireland needing to beat Spain. Against all the odds, Northern Ireland defeated the hosts to qualify. In an iconic World Cup moment, Armstrong smashed in a low cross after a keeping mistake, a wrote himself into World Cup folklore. In group 6, the World saw possibly the greatest team in World Cup history. When it's referred to as the greatest Brazilian side of all time, you know they must have been good. Zico, Socrates, Junior, Falcao, Eder - the names just trip off the tongue. They qualified comfortably, despite going behind in their second game against Scotland, through a fantastic strike from David Narey. However, a lesson was learnt here - don't make the Brazilians angry. Goals from Zico, Oscar, Eder and Falcao later, and the Scots had learnt that lesson. For the third tournament in a row, Scotland missed out from qualifying on goal difference. Despite taking the lead in the final crucial game against the Soviets through Joe Jordan, they failed to qualify as Graeme Souness' late goal was in vain. Things might have been so different but for a superb save from Rinat Desaev from Jordan's header. In the second phase, it's fair to say the excitement stepped up a notch - this aspect of the tournament was enjoying a fantastic death. In the first group, Poland prevailed, thanks mainly to the goals of Zbigniew Boniek, knocking out the Soviets and Belgium. In group B, old rivals England and West Germany were drawn together again. They drew 0-0 in the opening game, before the Germans beat Spain 2-1. This left England needing to score at least two goals in the final game against the Spanish to progress. This never looked likely, especially as Greenwood left favourites Trevor Brooking and Kevin Keegan on the bench. He was not the first England manager to have key decisions criticised in the press, and he wasn't the last. The real action, however, happened in group C. Italy and Brazil both but World Champions Argentina to eliminate them. But, Brazil's 3-1 win over Italy's 2-1 success meant the Italians had to beat the widely-heralded 'best team ever' to qualify for the quarter-finals. Enter Paolo Rossi. The Italian striker was a surprise inclusion in the squad, having missed much of the previous season due to a match fixing ban, and he looked woefully short of match fitness. This had seemed the case in the first few games. However, he headed in a fifth minute cross, and he was up and running. Socrates equalised soon after, but, in the 25th minute, Rossi intercepted a pass across the Brazilian penalty area and drilled in a fantastic finish. With just over 20 minutes to go, Falcao scored a fantastic goal to put Brazil in the driving seat once more. But Rossi was to have the final saw, showing his predator's instinct to complete a remarkable hat-trick and herald one of the greatest upsets of all time. For much of the match the game had been played around the Italian penalty area, but their stoic attitude and Paolo Rossi turned out to be the difference. In the final group, France qualified comfortably ahead of Northern Ireland and Austria. This team proved they were a real threat, with the likes of Michel Platini, Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse and Dominique Rocheteau. The semi-finals were also racked with excitement. Paolo Rossi scored both goals as Italy comfortably defeated Poland. But the other semi, between France and Germany, was widely regarded as one of the best (snd most controversial games) in World Cup history. Pierre Littbarski drew first blood for the Germans, before the great Michel Platini equalised with a penalty in the 26th minute. The game ebbed back and forth, until the second half, when a long ball sent French substitute Patrick Battiston through on goal. What happened next was shocking, as Schumacher and Battiston came together. More on that later though, but the German keeper should not have been on the pitch. French defender Manuel Amoros hit the bar in the final minute, and so to extra-time. Within eight minutes of the start of extra-time, Maruis Tresor and Giresse scored fantastic goals to seemingly send France towards the final. However, this German team was nothing if not spirited. A goal by half-fit substitute Karl-Heinz Rummenigge reduced the arrears, before Klaus Fischer scored a superb overhead kick. Uli Stieleke was the first to miss in the subsequent shoot-out, until Schumacher went from French villain to German hero. He saved Didier Six, and the crucial one from Alain Bossis, to deny France a first final appearance. But what a game it was. In the final, Italy were the neutal's favourites due to the circumstances with which Germany reached the final. They were to get their wish. Rossi continued his superb form, beofr Tardelli doubled the lead with probably one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history. Altobelli made it 3-0 before Paul Breitner's goal meant the Germans gained a consolation. This World Cup, though belonged to Rossi. The two outstanding teams of the tournament, France and Brazil, failed to even make the final. But that, as they say, is football.

HOME PERFORMANCE

Their were three home nations participating for the first time since 1958. Scotland again flattered to deceive, having their moments before crashing out on goal difference for the third tournament in a row. Northern Ireland shocked everyone by knocking out the highly fancied Yugoslavia, so it was no surprise when a talented France side were too strong for them. England, on the other hand, may think what might have been on their first appearance in 12 years. Having breezed through a group including that French side, they went out with a bit of a damb squib against the Spanish, rarely threatening the goal when they needed at lease two.

GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT - DAVID NAREY

A fantastic goal in its own right, but all it preceeded to do was make the Brazilians angrym and Scotland were left on the wrong end of a 4-1 thrashing. The ball broke to the defender just outside the penalty area, and he just smashed it into the top corner to the astonishment of the world. The celebrations were memorable, but they would not last.

PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT - PAOLO ROSSI

The only real candidate. There were some talented players, on the French and Brazilian teams especially, but Rossi was the impetus behind an Italian team which had looked poor in their first round group, and just edged past minnows Cameroon to reach the second phase. Something just clicked against Brazil, and from there, the ball seemed to fall to him in the box, and he didn't miss. Two goals in the semi-final against Poland and the opener in the final against West Germany later, and he had written his name into World Cup history and his name would always by linked to Spain 82.

ICONIC MOMENTS

The World Cup for me, is about the moments you remember. The great goals and the great players, yes, but here is an honourable mention for the great celebrations. Gerry Armstrong could not believe it when he shot Northern Ireland into the second phase, by surprisingly scoring the winner against hosts Spain. But it would be impossible to match the pure emotion on the face of Marco Tardelli as he scored the clinching goal in the final against Germany. His arm pumping celebration, as he ran to the Italian bench with tears streming down his face, is something that will never be forgotten. It was even replicated to a degree by Fabio Grosso when he scored the winner in Italy's World Cup semi-final against Germany in 2006. It is replayed every time the World Cup comes around.

CONTROVERSY - HARALD SCHUMACHER

The archetypal villain. He raced out of his goal, with the game delicately posed at 1-1, to intercept a long ball towards his penalty area. He then collided with Patrick Battiston, who got to the ball before him. He knocked the Frenchman out (as well as two of his teeth) and then walked away as if nothing happened. Amazingly, the referee did not even award a free-kick or a corner, let alone the red card Schumacher deserved. He would obviously go on to be the German hero in the penalty shoot-out!

GAFFE - RON GREENWOOD

The England manager's decision to not include Trevor Brooking and Kevin Keegan,and the not introduce them until it was too late, has to go down as an error of judgment. When Keegan missed a simple chance when he was thrown into the action, one only thought what might have been had the great man been given longer to get up to speed with the action.

MASCOT - NARANJITO

As the name suggests, Naranjito was an orange (the popular fruit of Spain), wearing the kit of the hosts national team.