1986

It's 24 years since Argentina last claimed the World Cup trophy.  On the eve of the tournament, Il Duce reflects on 1986 and sticks two fingers up at science... 

 I can't stress this enough, altitude is as much part of the World cup as the trophy itself, it's woven into the fabric of the entire tapestry, it has to be, it's the world cup for fucks sake... 

It can make a world cup, but just before this whole competition goes so limp-wristed 'cos of 'Altitude', I read the following from a site I couldn't be bothered to remember the name of but which was good........ 

Originally Colombia was awarded the 13th World Cup, but the South American country had to throw in the towel because of financial reasons in 1983. Mexico made sure the cup stayed in the western hemisphere when they took on the responsibility on short notice to host the greatest event in sport and thus became the first nation to do so twice. A horrific tragedy struck Mexico in September 1985 only eight months before the tournament started when around 20,000 people died in an earthquake. Once again the tournament was in jeopardy, but the stadiums were not affected. The country picked up the pieces and went on to stage a fine tournament despite all the obstacles.
 

The World Cup once again changed its competition schedule. The two-phase groupstage format used since 1974 was now dropped and replaced by the knock-out format. In Spain 1982 the second phase groupstage contained only three teams of four groups leaving one team inactive and unable to control its own destiny in the final game. In Mexico the four best third placed teams would join the six groupwinners and runners-up into the KO-stage round of 16. The matches in Mexico were played at high altitude and at difficult hours of the day. Kick-off was at noon and 4:00pm in broiling mid-day sun to get optimal TV-audience world-wide.
 

The hosts brought back topscorer Hugo Sanchez from Spanish football to lead the attack on home soil, but "Hugol" spent most of the time complaining to the referee and received unnecessary bookings. Mexico still advanced to the quarterfinal where they lost on penalties to West Germany, but it was a creditable overall showing by the hosts.
 

 The sheer weight of Hugo's perm caused problems at altitude 

West Germany like France and Brazil kept faith in ageing superstars. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Michel Platini and Zico all felt they had the ability to shine in one more World Cup, but only Platini came remotely close to old standard. Rummenigge and Zico struggled with knee-problems and rarely played full games where as Platini lifted his game in the KO-stage as the opposition got tougher. France and Brazil met in an epic do-or-die quarterfinal in Guadalajara. A number of legendary players in their thirties left blood, sweat and tears on the field for two full hours before France emerged as winners on penalties even if Platini missed from the penalty spot. Zico missed in regulation time. France then met West Germany in a semifinal replay of 1982, but this game had none of the drama and action of four years earlier as the Germans once again came out on top.
 

The Soviet Union, Denmark and Belgium, the latter after a slow start, were other teams who impressed. Especially the former two looked like title contenders early on and showed impressive attacking strength. The Soviet Union, or Dynamo Kiev plus Dasaev in goal, played a fast paced mordern game with Belanov up front causing all sorts of problem. Denmark with dynamite-duo Laudrup and Elkjær got through the first round with three wins, but vulnerable defences were exposed in the second round as Denmark crashed to four-goal-Butragueño's Spain and the Soviets messed up against Belgium in a seven-goal thriller that could have swung their way with a little bit of luck.
 

Luck was not on England's side either when the referee ignored the handball goal scored by the man the 1986 World Cup has become synonymous with: Diego Armando Maradona. Never has one man dominated an entire tournament such as Maradona in 1986. Coach Bilardo built his whole team around this stocky figure who was determined to redeem himself after Spain '82. His solo-goal against England brought back memories of what football used to be like among kids in the streets and parks ages ago. One player running circles around others. Maradona did this in the World Cup knock-out stage in the most high-profile games. Argentina won a well-deserved title after a classic final against West Germany. Maradona's personal contribution in this World Cup was five goals and five assists. Burruchaga, Valdano and Ruggeri were other key players in this team.
 

It wasn't the best of World Cups for the unfancied nations. Iraq and Canada made their debut, but made little impression. South Korea ended last in Argentina's group, but showed off some impressive long-range shooting. Africa though continued their improvement and wrote history when Morocco became the first country from that region to advance to the second round - they even won their group which also contained England, Poland and Portugal.
 

 Getting out of jail

England's campaign looked disastrous before Gary Lineker scored a hat-trick in the final first round game against Poland. No goals scored, captain Bryan Robson sent home with a shoulder injury and Ray Wilkins sent off against Morocco. Things suddenly turned for England and Paraguay were brushed aside with ease before Maradona awaited. Lineker'stopscorer in a World Cup. That was some consolation.
 

Portugal and Poland both disappointed. Zbigniew Boniek now played deeper for the Poles, but the team lacked overall individual talent which had graced Poland over the previous three World Cups. Portugal became the first country in history to beat West Germany in a qualifying game, but stumbled after beating England in the first round group's opening game.

But 1986 was all about Maradona. 

Comments welcome, thanks to Planetworldcup.com for bringing back a few memories.