Revenge of the World Cup
Posted by Jasper Reed in Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Italy, World Cup | 1 July 2006
With 6 of the last 8 being former winners of the World Cup, there is plenty of history between the sides, and plenty of opportunity for the vanquished to exact revenge:
Germany v Argentina: The German’s successfully reversed the result of the 1986 WCF. They now meet Italy, who beat them in the 1982 showpiece.
In the other half of the draw, Brazil will be looking to atone for its poor showing in the 1998 final against France, the samba saints also losing to the same side in the quarters of the 1986 tournament on penalties.
England face Portugal for the second straight tournament, with the Portuguese running out winners in Euro 2004. They also got the better of England in Euro 2000 but, for those with longer memories, England beat a Eusebio led Portugal at the semi final stage on their way to glory in 1966.
The semi final line up could see England take on Brazil, who met in 2002 with the South Americans being victorious. Brazil also accounted for then holders England in Mexico 1970.
The final throws up a welter of possibilities:
Italy v France: repeating the Euro 2000 final and a quarter final of 1998, both won by France
Italy v Brazil: WCF 1994 and 1970, both victories for Brazil
Germany v Brazil: WCF 2002, another Brazilian win
Germany v France: A repeat of the classic semi final from 1982, with the Germans winning on penalties. The German’s also outlasted Les Bleu’s at the same stage 4 years later.
Most mouth-watering of all is England v Germany. England will be keen to exact revenge for high profile defeats at Euro 1996, Italia 90 and its final game at Wembley, when Didi Hamann crashed the party in Kevin Keegan’s last game in charge. The German’s meanwhile, have a recent 5-1 thrashing in Munich on their minds, not to mention 1966.
