World Cup Analysis

Matches of the World Cup: Part One

By Matthew Day ⋅ July 18, 2006 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Sprouting from the mouth following the end of sport’s greatest tournament were calls that the World Cup did not live up to its early promise; it cannot be reckoned to be one of the best; there were very few shock results; and diving along with yellow and red cards ruined the spectacle.

But in the mix of these criticisms were entertaining and gripping matches that answered questions over why the World Cup is held in such regard.

Footballing World looks back on three classic games from Germany 2006 in part one of our compilation.

PORTUGAL 2-1 MEXICO
There were no serious contenders for the ‘classic match’ status until the final round of group games – and then three came along at once, as they do. Portugal’s tie with Mexico was not designed to be an exciting end-to-end clash and was never billed as such, but ultimately the fact the South Americans were not guaranteed progress into the knockout stages set-up an exhilarating clash.

Maniche started a move which saw him run half the pitch to eventually finish it with a cool finish at the five minute mark. Then, to add to the building excitement, referee Lubos Michel did well to spot a Marquez handball and pointed to the spot much to the surprise of both sets of player and fans. Simao slotted home but the Mexicans, under the eccentricity of manager Ricardo La Volpe, began their belated entrance into the match.

Fonseca undid the Portuguese defence before 30 minutes had passed and the game opened up further to allow chance after chance to fall – and mainly to La Volpe’s men, who would have topped Group D if they had won. More drama was to follow as Mexico threw away the second penalty of the match; Omar Bravo blasting the ball into Austria before Luis Perez was sent-off for diving.

Having nothing expected of the game led to a thrilling action-packed clash. It personified the early stages of the World Cup which had been filled with rousing and exciting football.

IVORY COAST 3-2 SERBIA & MONTENEGRO
The Ivorian’s had impressed more than any other African side but lost their two opening games to the giants of Argentina and Holland and therefore were out, as were the Serbian’s who had not played well by any means, with the people of the country voting to split the two states just prior to the finals. Thankfully, performances can only get better despite the separation.

But with a third of the game gone it looked like it would be a happy goodbye: the European’s went two goals up against a hapless defence that appeared to know very little about the art. The Italian’s were, understandably, disappointed. Zigic and Illic sent the team into a relaxed and arrogant mood, but the Ivorian’s had a point to prove to the world. And with the help of Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez they managed to generate an impact and completed the best comeback of the entire finals. Classic matches may be a rarity but even more infrequent are typical lower league English matches where two or even three goal leads are never secure.

Perhaps the feral nature of the Ivory Coast side and slackness of the Serbians’ led to such an enthralling match-up. Dindane gave hope to the African nation just before half-time with the first of two penalties and their chances were given an added lift when Nadj was sent-off in added time for a second booking – after coming on as a substitute. Dindane’s header levelled the scores before another penalty was given away, once again for a ridiculous and silly handball (CF Croatia), and Kalou sent the travelling fans into raptures. There was more drama, however, as the Ivory Coast’s Domoraud was also sent-off, capping off the referees action-filled night.

The spirit of the World Cup had been encapsulated in both nations – in particular the Ivory Coast – in a match given little press coverage either side of the referee’s whistle. It was a see-saw encounter as good as one will ever witness at a World Cup finals and ultimately the neutral fan was rejoicing as the brave and excitable Ivorian team not only earned their first ever victory, but gained it in spectacular and brilliant style.

CROATIA 2-2 AUSTRALIA
Whereas the previous two ties had little or nothing riding on them bar pride, Croatia and Australia were pitting it out for a place in the second round. The Croats needed to win; therefore the Aussie’s job was to avoid defeat. In these kinds of clashes, one of two situations usually arise: either one side to freeze; or both retreat into their respective shells and wait for a mistake – the reference book will point to Switzerland v Ukraine in the second round as a prime example.

But it was the group stages and two minnows in Group F were vying for a shock place in the knockout stages. Roll on 90 minutes of blood, sweat and an outpouring of yellow colour.

Perhaps Srna’s third minute goal was critical to the open nature of the match. If Australia had netted the opener, the match would have been a tale of defending resolutely from then on. Instead Guus Hiddink ordered his team to attack and the Croats hit back with… well… more attacking football. Graham Poll, as you probably know, was the referee and should have awarded an early penalty to Australia when Mark Viduka was literally wrestled to the ground by Simunic (much more on him later). He then did spot a mad handball and Craig Moore equalised just before the interval.

So now it was Croatia’s turn to go gung-ho. And, aided by Zeljko Kalac’s dreadful error, they were back in the driving seat a little over 10 minutes into the second period. Nico Kovac is credited with the goal which was in fact a tame shot, straight at the goalkeeper, which somehow ended up rolling over Kalac’s stricken body. He had been thrown in for his first World Cup game as Mark Schwarzer ‘was not in the right state of mind’ and probably wished he was lapping up the sun somewhere else in Europe. Until Harry Kewell’s equaliser that is. Hang on – just before the Liverpool forward had netted a crucial second equaliser despite being offside – dear Mr Poll had missed an even more obvious handball in the area. It is difficult to comprehend how he actually overlooked the offence and the boys in gold were quick to appeal, but in vain.

Ultimately it didn’t matter with Kewell’s effort twelve minutes from time. At this stage my heart was thumping and the hospital were on standby. The football had been elating to such an extent that my adrenaline levels had been sent to new highs: it was the return of the good old attack & attack policy! It was mesmerising right from the start. But although the chances dried up in the last 10 minutes, the enjoyment and action did not. Dario Simic and Brett Emerton were sent-off within three minutes of each other before Simunic saw a second yellow card three minutes from the end yet stayed on the field – another error from Poll. Could the game take anymore twists? It already looked like an overused kitchen sponge squeezed of all remaining water and muck, but then a World Cup first occurred.

Graham Poll disallowed an Aussie third goal for pushing before calling an end to the match with his arms, too fatigued to blow his whistle another three times. Then, out of nowhere, a burst of reserve energy from the Premiership official. Simunic no longer cared and said something out of turn to the referee who promptly handed out his third yellow – and this time a red card did follow. It was goodbye to the Croats and Poll while Australia had achieved the necessary draw, but in perhaps the best game of the entire finals the focus was on what a sparkling event the evening had been. If the World Cup wants to be remembered in a positive light, then punters should look back to this clash as a real classic with all the essential ingredients to make it so. It is a game that will stick with me for many years.

Tags: Australia, Croatia, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Portugal, Serbia & Montenegro

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