FIFA World Cup 1986

The 1986 FIFA World Cup was held in Mexico from May 31 to June 29. It was won by Argentina, who beat West Germany 3-2 in the final at Mexico City ‘s Estadio Azteca.

Host selection

Colombia was originally chosen as hosts by FIFA in June 1974 but they refused to host World Cup due to their internal troubles in the country. Mexico was selected on May 20, 1983 as the replacement hosts and became the first nation to host two World Cups. This second World Cup in Mexico came only 16 years after the first one in 1970. A severe earthquake in September 1985, eight months before the tournament, cast doubt over Mexico’s ability to organize the event; however, the stadiums were not affected and it was decided to go ahead with the preparations.

Qualification

Three teams qualified for the World Cup for the first time: Canada, Denmark and Iraq. Canada clinched its spot after winning the final match against Honduras 2-1 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, with the Hondurans wearing tuques and gloves on the field due to the cold weather. Iraq played all matches on neutral ground due to the Iran-Iraq war.

Summary

First Round

In Group A, where Italy were held 1-1 by Bulgaria. Argentina had little trouble beating South Korea 3-1, with Diego Maradona in awesome form. Italy and Argentina drew 1-1 in a bad tempered affair. South Korea and Bulgaria also drew 1-1. The final set of matches saw Argentina beating Bulgaria 2-0, and Italy narrowly defeating South Korea 3-2 in an exciting match.

In Group B Mexico as they beat a defensive Belgium side 2-1, and despite being held 1-1 by Paraguay, they won the group after a further win over minnows Iraq, 1-0.

Group C was an interesting contest as it pitted a strong Soviet Union side against the reigning European Champions France. They drew with each other in a fine match 1-1. France has made hard work of beating Canada 1-0, but progressed in 2nd place after beating a demoralised and ageing Hungary, 3-0. Hungary had earlier lost 6-0 against the Soviet Union.

Group D saw Brazil start sluggishly against Spain, winning 1-0, although Spain had a legitimate goal disallowed. Northern Ireland began their campaign with a draw against Algeria. Northern Ireland were then beaten narrowly by Spain before being simply outclassed by Brazil 3-0 in their final match. This match saw a great goal from Josimar on his debut and was also the final time Pat Jennings would play for Northern Ireland . Spain qualified along with Brazil after defeating Algeria 3-0.

In Group E Denmark highly dubbed the group of death with a 100 per cent record. They beat Scotland 1-0 in their first game, then hammered Uruguay 6-1. But Denmark’s most impressive result were when they beat one of the favourites to win the tournament, West Germany, 2-0. After losing to Denmark, Scotland took the lead against West Germany but the West Germans fought back to win 2-1. And after a violent 0-0 draw against Uruguay, the Scots were eliminated from the tournament. West Germany went through to the second round with the strength of a win and a 1-1 draw with Uruguay, who also qualified on just two draws.

In Group F Morocco after holding both Poland and England to goalless draws, and then beat Portugal, 3-1 topped the Group. By doing so, they became the first African team to reach the second round, and obviously the first to win a group. England lost 1-0 to Portugal and then drew with the Moroccans. But in their last first-round game beat Poland 3-0. Poland had previously beaten Portugal, and in the end the Portuguese were the only team from Group F to be eliminated in the first round.

Second Round and Quarterfinals

The match of the second round was the seven-goal thriller between Belgium and the Soviet Union.  Two of Europe’s great football nations met in Mexico City, where France ended Italy’s reign as World Champions with a 2-0 victory. In the rematch of the 1930 World Cup final, Argentina just edged out South American champions Uruguay in Puebla. The all-South American affair was notable for a Diego Maradona’s disallowed goal.

The most memorable quarter-final match saw France face the other three-time world champion, Brazil in Guadalajara. Brazil were well on top in the early stages, and Careca put them one up after 18 minutes. But then, five minutes before half-time, France drew level when Michel Platini converted a cross from Dominique Rocheteau. Brazil had a great chance to regain the lead in the second half when Branco was fouled by French ‘keeper Joel Bats in the penalty area. Zico got up to take the kick, but Bats made amends for his foul by saving Zico’s penalty.

Brazil won France through 4-3 on penalties. Two other quarter-finals were also decided on penalties.

Semifinals, third-place match, and final

In the semi-finals, West Germany 1-0 aheaded against France in the ninth minute, but the outcome of a tense game remained in doubt until two minutes from time when Rudi Völler made it 2-0, and West Germany were in the final for the second World Cup in succession. In the other semi-final, Argentina beat Belgium 2-0. Belgium went on to lose the third-place match to France 2-4.

Mascot

The official mascot of this World Cup was Pique.

Venues

Eleven cities hosted the tournament. Seeded teams are in bold.

City	Stadium	Capacity
Mexico	Estadio Azteca	114,600
Mexico	Estadio Olimpico Universitario	72,000
Guadalajara	Estadio Jalisco	66,000
Puebla	Estadio Cuauhtémoc	46,000
Monterrey	Estadio Universitario	44,000
Queretaro	Estadio La Corregidora	40,785
Monterrey	Estadio Tecnológico	38,000
León	Estadio Nou Camp	35,000
Nezahualcoyotl	Estadio Neza 86	35,000
Irapuato	Estadio Sergio León Chavez	32,000
Guadalajara	Estadio Tres de Marzo	30,000
Toluca	Estadio Nemesio Díez	30,000