With the Russia World Cup about to kick off , it had me reminiscing on my favorite world cups of yorn.
Every World Cup has its defining moments and iconic fan culture ( in 66 England enjoying the luxury of playing every game at Wembley , Argentina also made their mark with cynical fouling and spitting ( Alf Ramsey chastised his players for swapping shirts with them labeling them “animals “)
North Korea also reached a quarter final After beating Italy . This was the golden era for England , and our only triumph after beating West Germany 4-2 in the final . It wasn’t without controversy as England’s 3rd goal was ruled by many not to have crossed the line the Russian linesman when interviewed was asked “ how could you be sure the ball crossed the line?” He replied “Stalingrad”.
Unfortunately England have never emulated this triumph since , however we came close in Italia 1990 ( where we were beaten on penalties by the robotic, efficient Germans). England played their way into a tough tournament having drawn with holland and rep Ireland , but their 1-0 victory over Egypt had them top the group .
David Platts stunning volley , sent Belgium back to Brussels in the last 16 , his performance made Italian clubs sit up and notice - he was signed by Série A team Parma soon after . A tough quarter final against Cameroon gave England a shock as they went 2-1 down . Gary Linekar stepped up to the plate calmly dispatching 2 penalties ( he was prolific in this tournament , but not enough to win the golden boot as he did in 86).
England were arguably the team of the tournament , stars such as Gary Linekar, Paul Gasgoine , David Platt and Stuart Pearce , were blood and guts men’s men , not without flair and skill , they lived with the worlds elite. In my opinion all the right ingredients were in place , England were gelling and started performing like a club team , there was telepathy in the passing and movement of the midfield who fed Linekar and Beardsley up front .
There was to be heartbreak in the semi final against West Germany . England played a 5 -3-2 System ( a back 4 with Terry Butcher playing as a lone sweeper behind the defence to clear up any long balls , and pass them back to Peter Shilton - this was the last World Cup where a keeper could pick up the ball from an opponents pass - ( the no pick up back pass rule was introduced in 1992 by FIFA to discourage negative play ).
England came out of the blocks fast , with a flurry of shots from Beardsley and Linekar, resulting in no less than 3 corners for England in the first 25 minutes - West Germany’s stoic defense and keeper name ( fill in later ) . The dead lock was broken on 50 minutes when Germany’s Andreas Brehm Ran on to an assist and slotted his goal past shilton.
England replied on 80 mins through Linekar ( who else ?) it was a tense final 10 minutes as no team wanted to concede the sucker punch goal . 2 halves of 15 minute extra time periods were now played in the sultry Turin heat , again cat and mouse . With the tie still at stale mate a penalty shoot out was played - the tension was palpable the stakes were high , England had shown more craft and were the form team of the tournament .
I was 15 at the time , and there was magic in the air , the soundtrack of the tournament had been New Orders “world in motion “ an anthem not to be beaten . Nearing the end of my school career I was stuck on some crappy field trip with a teacher who was rugby mad , and indifferent to football . As the teacher wouldn’t find a tv for us or take us to the pub , we Took his car keys and listened to the game unfold in his motor , the radio turned up and the doors locked.
We were listening to the radio and living and kicking every penalty and hoping the old enemy would miss theirs . Beardsley , Linekar , and platt scored with aplomb - unfortunately Psycho ( Stuart Pearce) and Chris Waddle fluffed their lines and a nation was heartbroken ! We all cried along with Gazza as he picked up a yellow card mid game ( meaning he would have missed the final against Argentina ) . Bobby Robson a real gentleman of the game gave us a great summer , and a colorful exciting tournament , his brand of exciting football and tactics has yet to be matched by an England Coach. There remains history to be written , so who knows ? Will England under the tutelage of Gareth Southgate one day find redemption And progress to a semi or final ? I would be happy with a quarter final , but we can all dare to dream .
