World Cup 1978 - Day Six

Tuesday 6 June

While we were all discussing the misfortune of the Scots, we still felt they would qualify. A thumping win over Iran would boost confidence while Holland would beat Peru and it would all be open again – that was how our thinking went.

The second round of games began today with ITV kicking off at 5.45pm to see Italy convincingly beating Hungary 3-1. Italy with two wins could now prepare for the next round while Hungary were already thinking of home.

At 8.45pm we had a choice of games and decided to opt for BBC’s showing of West Germany’s comprehensive demolition of Mexico 6-0 over the less exciting ITV’s display of Poland’s 1-0 win over Tunisia, who had a number of chances. Tunisia had surprised people and this was a good omen for the future in that African football was stronger than previously thought.

The late night game, kicking off at 11.15pm, saw Argentina defeating France 2-1 in what I understand, was a great game, but, alas, I would have been packed off to bed with school the next day.

After two games in Group One, Argentina and Italy were both now through with four points and France and Hungary were both out with zero. In Group Two it was West Germany and Poland on three and Tunisia on two with Mexico also preparing their departure after two losses.

With Brazil and Scotland both on tomorrow, it should be a good day.

Group 1: Italy 3-1 Hungary

Rossi 34, Bettega 35, Benetti 61 – Toth (pen) 81

Group 1: Argentina 2-1 France

Passarella (pen) 45, Luque 73 – Platini 60

Group 2: West Germany 6-0 Mexico

D Muller 14, H Muller 29, Rummenigge 38, 71 Flohe 44, 89

Group 2: Poland 1-0 Tunisia

Lato 42

World Cup 1978 - Day Five

Monday 5 June

Another day without football. Instead back to school – words that still bring a chill 35 years later.

Mondays in the summer were the worst day of the week. Because my class went swimming (or rather 'trying to swim') an activity I dread and loathe to this day.

As I only lived a couple of streets away from my school (Manor Farm Primary School, Rose Avenue, Hazlemere) I went home for lunch at 12 noon and when I walked back at 12.55pm, there would be the big red double decker bus waiting at the front - to take us to Handy Cross sports centre in High Wycombe, for an afternoon of, in my opinion, sheer hell. It was some time working in London before I got over my fear of red buses.

The football news was that Willie Johnston’s test was confirmed and he was to be sent home in disgrace.

Meanwhile England won the First Test against Pakistan by an innings and 57 runs – David Gower made his debut and Clive Radley and Ian Botham both hit centuries.

World Cup 1978 - Day Four

Sunday 4 June

So every team had now played one game and we patiently waited for the second batch. The main news story breaking was that Willie Johnston had failed a drugs test and rumours circulated of him, or the whole team, being sent home.

Meanwhile us kids were in the rec practising shooting like Teofilo Cubillas – jumpers for goal posts, balls hitting fences, angry neighbours and so on.

Group One

Argentina 2pts (2-1)

Italy 2pts (2-1)

France 0pts (1-2)

Hungary 0pts (1-2)

Group Two

Tunisia 2pts (3-1)

Poland 1pt (0-0)

West Germany 1pt (0-0)

Mexico 0pts (1-3)

Group Three

Austria 2pts (2-1)

Brazil 1pt (1-1)

Sweden 1pt (1-1)

Spain 0pts (1-2)

Group Four

Holland 2pts (3-0)

Peru 2pts (3-1)

Scotland 0pts (1-3)

Iran 0pts (0-3)

Top scorers:

Rensenbrink (Holland) 3 goals

Cubillas (Peru) 2 goals

World Cup 1978 - Day Three

Saturday 3 June

This was a great day of footy. My weekly edition of Roy of the Rovers would have arrived with the morning papers and then, having devoured that, I may have watched the TV highlights of the previous day’s games or went up to the rec for a kickabout with the lads.

But I would certainly have been in front of the box promptly at 5.45pm where there was a choice of live games from Group 3. ITV had Austria v Spain but my Dad and I opted for BBC and Brazil v Sweden, as I am sure most of the nation did.

I had seen plenty of footage of the great Brazil 1970 team and Pele etc in the build-up so we were anticipating a similar display. Instead the game is best known for the controversial finish. With the score at 1-1 in the dying seconds, a Brazilian corner came over, and referee Clive Thomas blew for time an instant before Zico headed it in the net.

At first we thought there may have been a foul but we could see clearly from the ref’s gestures what had happened. Had he blown a second earlier or a second later, there would not have been such a fuss – but this remains one of the most bizarre decisions ever taken by a referee. (Clive Thomas never refereed another world cup match).

But back to business – for an hour later, it was the long-awaited start of Scotland’s campaign. Both channels showed live coverage of this one.

I recall sitting on the floor right in front of the TV (not sure why) as the Jocks kicked off and took the lead in 14 minutes. This was a good game, end to end stuff, Peru equalised, Scotland missed a penalty and then Teofilo Cubillas happened – with two cracking goals! Scotland seemed in shock and, in a game we had expected them to win, slid passively to defeat.

I remember well that feeling of anti-climax that I would become so familiar with by following England in later tournaments.

In the other game, Rob Rensenbrink scored the tournament’s first hat trick and become top scorer as Holland saw off Iran 3-0.

Group 3: Brazil 1-1 Sweden

Reinaldo 45 – Sjoberg 37

Group 3: Austria 2-1 Spain

Schachner 9, Krankl 79 – Dani 21

Group 4: Peru 3-1 Scotland

Cueto 44, Cubillas 70, 76 – Jordan 14

Group 4: Holland 3-0 Iran

Resenbrink 40 (pen), 62, 78 (pen)

World Cup 1978 - Day Two

Friday 2 June

At school, just as at work, Friday is the best day of the week, and even more when there was a weekend of football to look forward to, with Scotland’s first game being the highlight

Kicking off at 5.45pm that Friday evening was the opening game of group one – Italy v France. This game was live on ITV, with Italy winning 2-1. Apparently there were disputes amongst the French squad regarding cash payments (shades of 2010?)

Then in the evening, the BBC showed highlights of Tunisia becoming the first African side to win a match in the finals as they triumphed over Mexico 3-1 to top the group ahead the Germans, before heading over to the live game – the debut of the hosts.

With no school the next day, I was allowed to stay up for this game, which kicked off at 11.15pm British time. I have very clear memories of the ticker tape parade as the Argentinians walked onto the pitch for their first appearance.

A successful start was made as Argentina beat Hungary 2-1 but it took until the 83rd minute for the winner and by the end of the game Hungary were down to nine men!

After the boring start, at last the footy had got going. One interesting point was that in all three games, the team that scored first went on to lose.

Group 1: Italy 2-1 France

Rossi 27, Zaccarelli 54 - Lacombe 1

Group 1: Argentina 2-1 Hungary

Luque 14, Bertoni 83 - Csapo 9

Group 2: Tunisia 3-1 Mexico

Kaabi 55, Ghommidh 80, Dhouib 86 - Vasquez (pen) 44

World Cup 1978 - Day One

Thursday 1 June

So away we go and our TV was on for the opening game, West Germany against Poland, which kicked off at 7pm on both channels, after an interesting but very 70s opening ceremony involving lots of people running over the pitch moving themselves to make shapes and words.

 

On paper, the opening game promised much – the defending champions against the side which had come third in 1974, preventing England’s qualification on the way.

Unfortunately it turned out to be very dull. The previous three World Cup openers had all been 0-0, including England-Mexico in 1966, and this continued the sequence. A very boring game only consoled by the thought of another 37 to come.

Group 2: West Germany 0-0 Poland

Eve of the World Cup 1978

By the eve of opening day, the wall charts and TV schedules were at the ready.

Group One                        Group Two

1. Argentina                      1. West Germany

2. Hungary                        2. Poland

3. France                          3. Mexico

4. Italy                              4. Tunisia

Group Three                     Group Four

1. Brazil                            1. Netherlands

2. Sweden                        2. Iran

3. Spain                            3. Peru

4. Austria                          4. Scotland

Fixtures:

1 v 2 . 3 v 4 === 1 v 3 . 2 v 4 === 1 v 4 . 2 v 3

Second Round:

Group A: winners of Groups 1 and 3, runners up of Groups 2 and 4

Group B: winners of Groups 2 and 4, runners up of Groups 1 and 3

Third place play-off: runners-up of Group A v runners-up of Group B

Final: winners of Group A v winners of Group B