World Cup Memories (1986): The Soviet Machine

As the Mexico WC started during the summer of 1986, most soccer lovers of Bangladesh had their eyes focused on group A (involving Argentina and the defending champions Italy) and on group D (involving BraziL). Some (like me) however, were also following the group C with keen interest, as it involved the reigning European champions France. Although no European team previously had won the WC outside their own continent (in fact, such a feat was first achieved only in 2010 by Spain), France were considered as one of the favorites. The French were keen to eradicate the memory of their tragic shoot out loss against Germany at Seville, 4 years earlier; and especially for their influential captain Platini, playing his 3rd WC, this was his final opportunity to lift the world cup. The French duly qualified for the 2nd round after finishing Runners Up (in goal difference) to USSR; then in the round of 16 easily defeated Italy 2-0, prevailed in a dramatic shoot our against Brazil in the QFs, before coming unstuck against their perennial bogey team West Germany. The whole French team underperformed as the Germans won 2-0; the French eventually finished 3rd .

The most interesting aspect was that, while the French team (often referred to as the Brazil of European football for their attractive brand of attacking football) showed fluent passing football throughout the tournament (except perhaps in the match against the Germans); in the group stages they were outshone by a group of little known USSR footballers. The Soviet team was mainly based on Dynamo Kiev footballers; no less than 13 of their squad came from the Kiev team, including one Igor Belanov, who would play a major role in our story here. The Dynamo side gave glimpses of their strength just a few weeks earlier, when they thrashed Atheletico Madrid 3-0 to lift the European Cup Winners Cup. Still, no one took the Soviets very seriously at the initial stages; yet they stunned the world thrashing Hungary 6-0 in their opening fixture. The poor Magyars found themselves 2-0 within minutes after the kick off and when Belanov scored his first goal in national colors, it was 3-0 even before half time. The Hungarian misery was compounded by two goals from Yarenchuk in the 2nd half. The Soviets continued to impress and a 2-0 victory over Canada followed by a 1-1 draw with the French saw them emerge as the group Champions. Unlike the 1982 event, there was no group stage in the 2nd round; instead 16 teams (6 group champions, 6 runners ups plus the best 4 third placed teams) qualified for the knock out stage. The Soviet's opponent in the 2nd round was Belgium.

Belgium went in to this match as the clear underdogs. In their group B, they only finished 3rd behind the hosts Mexico and Paraguay.; their only success came against the un-fancied Iraqis. They knew that the match against USSR would be a very tough one for them. They very carefully observed the videos of the Soviet team, and picked out the only weakness in their squad; their defense. On the first appearance it looked quite solid; and the fact that they conceded only once in 3 group matches seemed to support this view. But, a careful observation revealed that the defense was quite static; and quite often they used a high line of defense. This gave the opportunity for quick flank players to break the Soviet defense with swift counter attacking moves. The Belgian pinned all their hopes on this tactic.

So, in the match against the Soviets, the Belgians packed their defense, and then produced fast counter attacking moves by playing long high balls directed towards the flank players. Twice they went behind; Belanov scoring on both occasions; twice the Belgians equalized through goals from Scifo and Ceulemans. Both these goals resulted from swift moves; and although there were elements of off side on both occasions (especially according to the old rule still applicable at the time, when the attacking player on line with the last defender was considered off side); the goals stood and the 90 minutes finished 2-2. In fact the Belgians broke the Soviet line again in the final moments, but on this occasion Enzo Scifo's header from close range was brilliantly saved by the Soviet Keeper Fed Dasayev.

As the extra time started at Leon, on a hot summer day, it was no longer a question of footballing skills only, it was about endurance and physical fitness as well; in this regard the Belgians proved themselves to be superior; and they scored twice in quick succession to take a 4-2 lead; but the story wasn't over yet. A foul inside the Belgium penalty box saw a spot kick being awarded to the Soviets; Belanov duly converted it to complete is hat-trick; and bring his team back in to the match. There was still roughly 10 minutes to go, but the Soviets simply didn't have the legs to push hard enough for the equalizer. So, it finished 4-3 in favor of the Belgians; throughout the 120 minutes of the match; the USSR team looked technically far superior to their opponents; but it was the Belgians who showed greater desire to succeed and at the end they succeeded in implementing their game plans.

So, the USSR team went home despite the Belanov hat-trick; he is one of only three players to score a hat-trick for a losing team in a WC fixture; there were some consolations for him when at the end of the year, he was adjudged the best European footballer of the year for his outstanding performances for both the club and the country. 25 years after that, in 2011, his name was included in the list of ‘Ukranian Legends of Football'.

In 1988, in the German Euro, the USSR team reached the final; they were the favorites in the match against the Dutch; as they had defeated the Dutch side in the group stages. But, in the final, the Dutch captain Ruud Gullit scored late in the 1st half, before Van Basten scored brilliantly with a volley. The Soviets had a penalty late in the match; but Belanov's tame effort was easily saved by the Dutch Keeper. In 1990, in Italy, the USSR team suffered early losses against Rumania and Argentina; and their 4-0 triumph against Cameroon counted for nothing. Soon, the whole country and its football team disintegrated completely. 

As for the Belgians, they reached the SF in 1986; where the Brilliance of Maradona proved too much for them. They eventually finished 4th. Scifo & company reached the last 16 in 1990 and again in 1994; before losing to England and Germany respectively. Then started a lean period in Belgium football history as their neighbors Holland reemerged as a major power in world football. However, the last few years have seen the emergence of a group of talented footballers from Belgium. They have qualified for Brazil in style. Many pundits feel that if Kompany and company can play their best football this summer; then they can become a big hazard for the more established football powers like Brazil and Germany.