Gianni Truvianni

An article about how I saw Argentina loose the title of World Champion to a high flying Brazilian team on a most inspired day.

It was the World Cup “Spain 82″ and did Brazil ever have a great team, some arguing that it was on a par with any other they had ever fielded if not better though for my part I would find it hard to compare two teams that played so many years apart yet this without a doubt was one of the most outstanding teams in Brazilian history. A team to rank with the won which had managed to win the world cup in both 58 and 62 as well as the one which won in 70 and were they ever playing like a team that almost had to be crowned world champion. Zico, Socrates, Falcao, Eder, Cerezo, Junior etc. yet it was not just a matter of having many stars but of playing magnificently. This being precisely what Brazil was doing, having won their first three encounters in Spain 82, starting with a 2-1 victory against a very solid Soviet team then 4-1 against Scotland and a 4-0 rout over already eliminated New Zealand. They were definitely not only a team capable of greatness but had arrived in the world cup at a time that caught them at their very best and did it ever show on the field of play.

Argentina on the other hand was in fact a team which in practice had already lost their title. This being the case despite them having only lost to Italy by 2-1 yet in a group were being first was everything, with 2^nd and 3^rd meaning nothing; it was clear that their chances for advance were extremely limited. This due to the fact that they would have to not only beat Brazil (for any other result meant automatic elimination) but hope Brazil would go on to beat Italy by a score that would eliminate both of them; leaving Argentina in first place. It was not that something of the sort was mathematically impossible but not very probable that such a scenario could come about, specially since Argentina in reality needed to beat Brazil by 2 goals, so they could have a 3-2 goal difference. Naturally if Argentina managed this it would not suffice; for in order to qualify to the semifinal they would then be in need of a Brazil win over Italy by 2-0. This leaving Argentina, Brazil and Italy with 2 points each while Argentina would qualify due to a better goal difference of 3-2 to Brazil’s 2-2 or Italy’s 2-3.

As one could see it was possible for this to occur yet odds were definitely against it. I must say for my part that I was hopeful for an Argentine victory or at least a draw; which would put Italy in a situation where a draw against Brazil was all they would need. Maradona would have to be at his best which is what those who came to my house to watch the game and I were hoping for. This the case though deep down, apart from their cheering they knew it was all over as this last game was more for the sake of pride, which would not allow them to yield their arch South American rivals; Brazil a victory of any kind, let alone an easy one.

I however still believed that Argentina could at least get a result which would make it possible for Italy to qualify on the strength of a draw against Brazil, as even a 1-0 win by Brazil would have made this possible.

The game started with my relatives cheering for Argentina and for the first time; me doing likewise but for Italy’s sake. Argentina started as they had done in their previous match with Maradona playing very well but all alone in a team that included not only those who were past their prime but with little in the way of motivation.

Brazil contrary to Italy and Belgium did not concentrate of stopping Maradona but on attacking; apparently knowing he would not get much support from his teammates. This being exactly what occurred as Brazil and above all Zico controlled the game. Maradona however did manage to get in the Brazilian penalty box, which forced Junior to pull him down from behind in what perhaps should have been a penalty; though the referee did not call it. This much to the protests of those around me; who like me felt Maradona had earned a spot kick.

Despair however started when Brazil scored at the 11 minute mark through Zico. In what really was a spectacular goal, first Eder took a free kick and as was his habit blasted the ball like he did on his goal against the Soviet Union only this time Fillol managed to get a hand on the ball. This just enough to make it go off the cross bar and hit a few centimeters in front of the goal line. In this play it being Zico along with Serginho who entered like a flash just before Fillol could get to the ball, with Zico being the one to tap in Brazil’s first goal; giving them a 1-0 lead.

Many around me blamed Fillol for this goal given his slightly late reaction after the ball bounced off the crossbar but if one looks at the replay carefully (perhaps on youtube), one will see Fillol did a great job just coming so close. First he despite loosing eye contact with the ball when it went past him and off the crossbar managed to find it fast. This made more difficult given the way he dove to get it, falling down from a flight of a meter on to the ground to get up suddenly but unfortunately not quickly enough for Argentina.

The game however continued 1-0 with Maradona’s frustration growing as the minutes went by for it was clear that a draw would automatically eliminate  Argentina. I however welcomed the score though those around me were anything but happy with it.      

During the first half break we knew that Argentina still had a chance of winning but in a sense it meant little to them if they could not win by two goals given what I have already explained. The title was slipping through their hands and those around me were ever aware of it as the second half got under way. The second half starting with Argentina neither defending nor attacking; this due to Bertoni and Kempes no longer having the efficiency they had in 78. Kempes being considerably slower without being much of a ball controller while Bertoni’s diagonal runs in to the box had become all to familiar and even easy for most defenses to read.

Defense wise their defenders Pasarella, Galvan and Tarantini went forward all the time, leaving holes for Brazilian forwards in the back. All of which proving Menotti was not seeing his players and what they were but had been four years prior. Brazil’s control would increase and it was 66″ in to the game that Zico filtered in to Argentina’s penalty box where he crossed the ball to Serginho, who had an easy header which he converted just before Fillol managed to cover. Fillol I had observed tended to go too far from the outside post on centers; putting himself out of place when the ball was crossed. This happening in the 78 final when Nanninga scored also due to his being out of place.

Brazil was up 2-0 which for all intensive purposes ended it for Argentina who would need to score 4 goals to have any chance of qualifying. For my own it was worry that Italy would have to win against Brazil yet for those around me; disappointment was everywhere specially because of the already lost “Malvinas” or “Falkland Islands” as the British called them.

A third goal was due to follow and did when Junior, 75 minutes in to the game broke through Argentina’s defense and scored to make it 3-0. Those around me at that moment knowing the numbers wanted to turn off the set; given it being all too obvious that Argentina was out.

It was at this stage of the game that Maradona in a loss of temper over a fellow player being fouled struck back, only to get a Argentina’s second red card in as many games. Gallego also being expelled against Italy. Many at the time saw Maradona’s actions as a disgrace yet it was to a large extent but a product of being fouled repeatedly through out the tournament, in ways that now a days would lead to the player committing the foul to be sent off.   

An Argentine goal however would come with one minute left in the game when Diaz got one back for Argentina but it was a perfect example of “too little, too late”. Argentina was out and how those around me cried, as the title had left them. As for myself, I can say I became anxious to see Italy take on this Brazilian team; sensing we could win if we held tight marking, specially in the midfield but was for another day.