Footballing World | Matches of the World Cup: Part Two

World Cup Analysis

Matches of the World Cup: Part Two

By Matthew Day ⋅ July 24, 2006 ⋅

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 more classic games from Germany 2006 in part two of our compilation.

ARGENTINA 2-1 MEXICO
Having shown their competitors how well they can perform, Argentina subsequently added another facet to their game by playing breathless and intriguing football. Welcome to the ‘new’ Brazil, said pundits. Ultimately the South American’s did not lift the Jules Rimet trophy yet were the most talented and exciting in Germany and intertwined the two qualities to overcome a much sturdier than anticipated Mexican side.

Ricardo Lavolpe – an Argentinean – stood in the tunnel while the anthems rang out, and shook off criticisms over his eccentric character and the many naturalised players in his squad to inspire his squad of players to produce Mexico’s best performance at a World Cup.

The game simmered before an early Mexican goal kindled a classic encounter. The Latin spirit was stirred up and it would last long into the night. With an attacking 3-5-2 formation on show, Mexico dominated regulation time in a tie expected to be one of the more one-sided of the second round. Argentina were withheld such was the desire of their South American compatriots, and from being footballing preachers against Serbia & Montenegro, Jose Pekerman’s troops relied on weathering the storm before belatedly disclosing why they were contenders for World Cup glory.

Rafael Marquez – so poor against Portugal, but by far the best player on either side in this match – drew away from Gabriel Heinze from a free-kick and finished with aplomb, on six minutes. The match, already threatening to be a brilliant occasion before the early opener, was made so and within the opening 600 seconds Pekerman saw his side level. Hernan Crespo was awarded the equaliser, although Mexican striker Jared Borgetti appeared to get the crucial touch as he attempted to clear. The pace and quality was maintained for an hour before inevitably a period of calm and cool.

With penalties looming, one moment of magic secured Maxi Rodriguez’s name in football history, Argentina’s in the last eight draw and the second round tie in the classic match’s category. Perhaps great games are only so because there is a defining moment; one effortlessly reminisced at – and Rodriguez provided it. Picking up a crossfield ball from Sorin, the midfielder chested the ball down and, without allowing the spherical object in front of him to bounce, let his left foot fly. An unstoppable effort to which there was no Mexican reply.

PORTUGAL 1-0 HOLLAND
From a match for the classicist to one for the scrapbook. This encounter is a casebook example of players playing the game in fraudulent style; there was no intent to please the observer’s eye. Ultimately the Portuguese progressed in a match undeserving of a winner. Even so this was a second round meeting to savour for purely entertainment purposes. The USA has never wholly engulfed football, but perhaps even this card-fest would have maintained their short attention span for an extended period.

Unless a supporter of either of the nations, the game was a scintillating one - due largely to the referee’s performance. The cautions, dismissals and scuffles that dominated the clash kept TV viewers shouting at their screens and, by the end, delirious while being restless for more. Valentin Ivanov ensured there were no breaks for adrenaline levels to subside: there were two yellow cards in the early minutes for the Dutch before Maniche scored the winning goal half-way through the first 45 minutes. But his expertly taken goal was a distant memory by the conclusion, and remains so in retrospect.

Costinha set the trend and tone for a chaotic second half by picking up his second yellow just before the break. Khalid Boulahrouz was more dubiously red-carded for seemingly elbowing Luis Figo before Deco restored the Dutch superiority when clearly and deliberately holding onto the ball to delay a free-kick. The image of the Brazilian-born midfielder twirling away from the grasp of an opponent best-suited a night of gross indiscipline and a free-for-all. Gio van Bronckhorst then needlessly became a record-breaking fourth player to see red in stoppage time; the second yellow card coming out despite Portugal’s Tiago running away from goal and the tackle being mistimed rather than malicious.

In the midst of the card fest, eight others saw yellow although somehow Figo escaped a dismissal for a headbutt which the official missed. There were various flashpoints throughout the second half, including when Deco flew in after Portugal felt they should have had the ball returned following a drop ball. That was his first caution; although for sheer intent he may have been shown a straight red card.

Ivanov stuck strictly to the rules of the game, and quite rightly it was the players who took the blame for an ugly and rowdy night. There didn’t appear to be a winner until the final scoreline flashed up onto the screen but despite the fact that ugliness dominated, a gripping match was on show – and perhaps for all the wrong reasons it goes down as a classic.

GERMANY 0-2 ITALY
Following those wins for Argentina and Portugal, the finals had taken a significant turn for the worse. The quality had deteriorated as a greater fear factor came into play. It appeared that after much early promise the tournament would quickly be forgotten. But, appreciatively, there was one more great match lying in wait. Germany’s performances and progress had awoken a nation that at first felt Jurgen Klinsmann’s men would flop at the earliest opportunity while Italy had risen from outsiders to become serious contenders in the face of domestic turmoil.

But fans’ parties and internal court cases were set to the side in an absorbing two hours that produced no goals until the death. A 0-0 semi-final may sound rather common but those who sat down were vastly entertained. The pace was reminiscent of Argentina’s victory over Mexico, but the quality was not as high and, crucially, goals were not forthcoming. Nonetheless chances fell regularly to both sides, with Italy always looking the more likely to infiltrate the German defence. Paradoxically, the extra time period was the more appealing and dramatic despite tired legs; though maybe also due to the fatigue that was setting in.

Alberto Gilardino hit the post before Gianluca Zambrotta smashed an effort against the bar. Germany, along with the woodwork, was rattled. Klinsmann sent on penalty expert Oliver Neuville near the end and Germany were rapidly looking favourites. The antithesis in the two nation’s penalty successes meant the German-dominated stadium was becoming increasingly buoyant.

But Italy, who must be praised for their exceptional attacking intent, stung the hosts.

Penalties avoid the need for banal matches to continue or be replayed but nevertheless cannot be described as a fit or just way to decided the outcome – especially on such a luminous semi-final night. And Fabio Grosso’s wonderfully taken effort followed by a classic counter strike (Alessandro Del Piero scoring an equally sublime goal) stunned the bulk of flag-waving and adoring fans.

It was an extraordinary night of pure football with an apposite ending, and brought the heart back into the finals following a lull. Ironically though, the blood stopped flowing into the hosts’ hearts which was the centre of the carnival and jaunty ambience.