comme
16 Mar 2006, 05:22 PM
Chile 1962
After back to back World Cups being held in Europe it was widely felt that S America could not be snubbed for a third time in succession. Chile was named as host for the 1962 championships ahead of the challenge of giants Argentina.
The favourites, perhaps naturally, were Brazil. As reigning champions they had lost little of their hunger, and close to home were considered as the team to beat. Pele, the 17 year old that had taken the world by storm in Sweden, was now 21 and almost unquestionably the world’s leading figure. His form with Santos had lifted them to the position of Brazilian footballing power-house, a status the club had not achieved before. Also back again was the bow legged Garrincha, the precociously talented right winger, who seemed to glide past defenders for fun.
Leading the European contingent were the Soviet Union who had proved themselves the continent’s best two years earlier in France. Their challenge was largely dependent on the form of Lev Yashin, their exceptional goalkeeper, but they also had plenty to offer in the outfield positions! The most notable of their options was Igor Netto, Spartak Moscow’s outstanding left-half, though Valeriy Voronin, the half-back, and Valentin Ivanov, the inside-forward, both of Torpedo Moscow were also world class performers.
England’s hopes were again centred on inside forward Johnny Haynes, now captain, and whose passes were the source of so many goals. The man hoping to latch on to these passes was Jimmy Greaves of Tottenham Hotspur. Greaves had impressed so much at Chelsea that he had attracted the attention of Italian giants Milan, where he had played well, before returning to London with double-winning Spurs for a record fee of £99,999. His first year at White Hart Lane had yielded only an FA Cup, but he had sparkled there scoring 21 league goals as well as the 9 goals he hit in Italy. As well as Greaves, England had added two other youngsters of exceptional gifts in Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore. Charlton had survived the Munich Air Disaster and though still deeply affected by that tragedy, he had dramatically improved in the four years since to be considered a major threat on England’s left-wing. Bobby Moore was a cultured and composed centre-half who made defending look easy, but who was also afflicted with a propensity for mistakes and questionable pace. Luckily his leadership qualities, ability on the ball and excellent reading of the game more than made up for any perceived shortcomings. In attack Gerry Hitchens played up front with Greaves, and was (along with John Charles) the perfect example of the happy side of the English exodus to Serie A. His move to Inter from Aston Villa had proved to be an unmitigated success and he formed a crucial part of a superb frontline.
Group A
Group A was a tale of two sets of neighbours containing as it did two South American sides, Colombia and Uruguay, and two from Eastern Europe, the USSR and Yugoslavia. It was the South Americans that kicked the group off in Arica, a pairing that highlighted the relative inequalities and complexity of S American football. For Colombia, a nation with a population second only to that of Brazil on the continent were perceived as minnows against Uruguay, twice world champions despite their 3 million inhabitants. As it was the Colombians sprang a surprise on their respected adversaries when Francisco Zuluaga scored from the spot after 19 minutes. The second half saw normal order restored as Jose Cubilla and Luis Sasia scored fine goals for Uruguay, despite the best efforts of Colombia’s out-standing goalkeeper Efrain Sanchez.
The Soviet Union, crowned inaugural European Champions two years earlier, faced Eastern European rivals Yugoslavia in their opening game in Group A. The Soviets took the lead early in the second half, Valentin Ivanov pouncing to head in when a thunderous Viktor Podelnik free-kick came back off the bar. They doubled their lead soon after when Ponedelnik exchanged passes with Ivanov and rifled the ball into the back of the net. Despite the Yugoslavs best efforts they were unable to find a response and so the Soviets got off to a winning start. The victory came at a price though, Eduard Dubinski’s leg was broken in a clash with Muhamed Mujic the Yugoslav captain which resulted in both men’s participation at the World Cup being over (Mujic was sent home by his side).
The Yugoslavs sought to atone for their poor first performance when they played Uruguay in their second game. However, they found themselves behind after just 19 minutes as Ruben Cabrera headed Uruguay into the lead. The Eastern European side were back on level terms though 7 minutes later when Josip Skoblar converted a penalty, and they were ahead before the break courtesy of Milan Galic. In the second half Drazen Jerkovic extended the Yugoslav advantage before the game hit a sour note when Popovic and Cabrera were both dismissed. The Uruguayan fared no better with ten men than they had with eleven and the match ended 3-1 to Yugoslvia. Such was the brilliance of Dragoslav Sekularac though, that he was carried off the pitch on the shoulders of his opponents. The Uruguyans, often famed for their uncompromising attitude and propensity for gamesmanship, demonstrating great humility and sportsmanship in the presence of genius.
The USSR’s game with Colombia proved to be one of the shocks of the tournament, but in the initial stages it seemed like business as usual for the Soviets. Indeed they found themselves 3-0 up after 11 minutes thanks to two goals from Ivanov and one from Igor Chislenko. German Aceros was able to reduce the arrears after 21 minutes, but at half time Colombia trailed the European champions 3-1. Furthermore the game looked dead and buried early in the second half when Podelnik, having impressed in the first game, restored the USSR’s 3 goal cushion. What followed though has gone down in World Cup legend and produced Soviet nightmares for years to come. Remarkably Marcos Coll, the Colombian captain, scored directly from a corner and Angulo Rada and Marino Klinger both scored to level the game. Much of the blame was heaped on Lev Yashin, the legendary Soviet goalkeeper, for allowing his side to tamely throw away a three goal advantage.
In their final game the Russians narrowly scraped past Uruguay, a side they had demolished 5-0 in Moscow prior to the tournament. Aleksei Mamikin put the Soviets in front after 38 minutes, but Jose Sasia made it 1-1 shortly after the break with a well executed freekick. The match appeared to be heading towards a draw with time running out until Ivanov finally restored the USSR’s lead with just a minute remaining.
The group’s final game proved a one sided affair. Colombia, who had perhaps overachieved in their first two games, now came crashing down to earth. Some felt that their exertions had left them jaded but the Yugoslavs were in no mood for sympathy. Instead they took full advantage of the Colombians’ fatigue and ran in 5 goals, the outstanding Drazen Jerkovic bagging three and Milan Galic and Vojislev Melic scoring one apiece.
07-JUN-62 ARICA Yugoslavia:Colombia
5:0 (2:0) Carlos Dittborn
06-JUN-62 ARICA Soviet Union:Uruguay
2:1 (1:0) Carlos Dittborn
03-JUN-62 ARICA Soviet Union:Colombia
4:4 (3:1) Carlos Dittborn
02-JUN-62 ARICA Yugoslavia:Uruguay
3:1 (2:1) Carlos Dittborn
31-MAY-62 ARICA Soviet Union:Yugoslavia
2:0 (0:0) Carlos Dittborn
30-MAY-62 ARICA Uruguay:Colombia
2:1 (0:1) Carlos Dittborn
Group B
Hosts Chile began their World Cup campaign against Switzerland, the 1954 hosts, in Santiago in front of their President Allesandri. Rolf Wüthrich opened the scoring for the visitors after 7 minutes with a powerful shot from outside the box. Chile though responded shortly before half time when Leonel Sanchez netted from close range to level the scores. Jaime Remirez put Chile in front after 51 minutes, in a moment which showed both sides of Swiss keeper Karl Elsener. Elsener initially saved well from a fierce drive, but then let a tame effort from Ramirez slip through his fingers. Sanchez sealed the game with a neat finished after his teammates’ slick interplay. Chile then got off to a dream start in front of their admiring home crowd, a solid 3-1 victory.
Italy and W Germany’s opening encounter proved to be a curious affair, both sides wary of their opponent to such an extent that they prized not losing above winning. In truth it was a waste of an abundance of attacking talent, Italy played an attacking trio of Gianni Rivera, Omar Sivori and Jose Altafini, while the W Germans still had Hans Schafer to feed the marauding Uwe Seeler. Sadly caution triumphed over flair and the game produced no goals, in many ways a result that satisfied both parties.
The match between Italy and Chile has lived on in infamy as the “Battle of Santiago” and it proved to be a disgraceful affair. The build up to the game did not help matters as one Italian journalist had been threatened with deportation in response to his inflammatory articles articles deriding the calibre of the hosts’ side. Coupled with this was the age old issue of the oriundi, the South American players of Italian descent, which were reviled by some sections of the South American public. The match got off to an awful start a Leonel Sanchez broke the nose of Argentine Maschio with a punch after a particularly dirty tackle. Sanchez somehow managed to stay on the pitch, but Giorgio Ferrini and Mario David of Italy were not so lucky both being ordered off in the first half by Ken Aston, the English referee. Jaime Ramirez broke the deadlock in the second half with a well placed header after a poor punch by Carlo Mattrel the Italian keeper. Two minutes from time Jorge Toro scored a fabulous goal from distance to settle the game, sadly for him few remembered it after all the bad blood that had gone before.
The following day Switzerland faced W Germany in a game that was soured by the crude tackle of Szymaniak which broke the leg of Norbert Eschmann. This left the Swiss to play the majority of the game with ten men and while they applied themselves well, their plucky efforts were always unlikely to be enough. Goals from Albert Brülls and Seeler left the Germans two up after an hour, but the Swiss were able to pull one back from Heinz Schneiter. The W Germans held on to their slender advantage and took a strong position in the group.
Chile’s final group game saw them up against W Germany, in a clash to decide who would top the pool. The Germans were given the ideal opportunity to take the lead in the first half when Robert Davidson the Scottish referee awarded them a penalty and Szymaniak converted from the spot, sending goalkeeper Misael Escuti the wrong way. Uwe Seeler sealed the victory in the second half, scoring with a fabulous diving header having lost his marker Sergio Navarro. His goal saw Germany leapfrog Chile, but it was no matter, both advanced.
Germany’s victory over Chile meant that Italy’s game with Switzerland was essentially irrelevant. The Italians though were not to know this and they set about the Swiss with vigour. Bruno Mora put the Italians ahead after just 2 minutes, and Giacomo Bulgarelli scored a quick-fire double in the second half to ensure that the Italians at least ended their campaign in style. Sadly the Italians, with all the talent they had assembled in an exceptional squad, failed to deliver in Chile. For all the hype and hopes back home the Azzuri were made to pay for their slow start and went home disappointed.
07-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Italy:Switzerland
3:0 (1:0) Nacional
06-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Germany FR:Chile
2:0 (1:0) Nacional
03-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Germany FR:Switzerland
2:1 (1:0) Nacional
02-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Chile:Italy
2:0 (0:0) Nacional
31-MAY-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Germany FR:Italy
0:0 Nacional
30-MAY-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Chile:Switzerland
3:1 (1:1) Nacional
Group C
Brazil began the defence of their world title against Mexico in the Vina del Mar group. Yet Brazil made surprisingly hard work of what had been initially though a routine encounter, as they failed to find the net in the first half. Shortly after the break Mario Zagallo, a veteran now at 31, met Pele’s cross to head the South Americans into the lead. It was Pele himself who doubled their advantage, showing great skill to confound a host of Mexican defenders, before rifling the ball past Antonio Carbajal. There the scoring ended and the Mexicans could be proud of their performance in the face of such fearsome opposition.
The game between Spain and Czechoslovakia drew together the two teams that most observers felt would compete to play second fiddle to Brazil. It was the Czechs who emerged victorious, thanks to a single goal from outside-right Josef Stibranyi, though it was their defence that laid an impressive platform. With Ferenc Puskas, Luisito Suarez, Luis Del Sol and Paco Gento Spain’s creative options were the envy of all, yet they simply could not force a goal. Vilem Schroiff in the Czech goal was roundly applauded for his efforts in keeping the Iberians at bay, while Josef Masopust’s measured passing game ensured that the Eastern Europeans made the most of the possession they enjoyed.
Czechoslovakia followed up their clean sheet against Spain with another against Brazil, yet the game was most noted for the loss of the great Pele to a torn thigh muscle. Playing effectively with ten men for the remainder of the match, even the traditionally adventurous Selecao resorted to a cautious style of play. The Czechs appeared content with a 0-0 stalemate and so despite the dare and dash of Garrincha et al the match petered out into a draw.
The low scoring nature of Group 3 continued when Mexcio took on Spain and the game was settled by a single goal. The man that made the decisive breakthrough was Joaquin Peiró with an excellent finish after running through almost unopposed by the Mexican defence. The Spaniards made hard work of their less illustrious opposition, just as Brazil had struggled against Mexico in their opening encounter. Still, the Spaniards were glad of any victory after their defeat to the Czechs and so even at 1-0 they were content.
Spain’s clash with Brazil brought together some of the world’s great figures and Didi, Brazil’s fabulous play-maker, had the chance to prove himself against a country which had proved singularly unappreciative of his talents. The Spaniards took the lead after 35 minutes when Rodriguez Adélardo broke the deadlock with a fierce, low drive. The second half though was marked by the arrival on the world stage of Amarildo. The Botofogo inside forward was the man charged with the task of replacing the irreplaceable but injured Pele, and if he was hesitant in the face of such expectation he certainly didn’t let it show. Instead, midway through the second half, Amarildo burst into the six-yard box to meet a low Mario Zagallo cross and steered the ball past Jose Araguistain. Garrincha though was not happy to let the match end as a draw, instead he turned on the style once more, beating his marking and driving to the touchline to cross for Amarildo who headed in. Spain’s challenge had sadly fallen at the first hurdle, and Alfredo Di Stefano’s hopes of appearing in the World Cup finals were over.
The group’s final game also produced its strangest result as Mexico humbled a Czechoslovakian side which had impressed all in their first two games of the tournament. At first it appeared that the game would prove a cakewalk for the Czechs as Vaclav Masek scored after just 20 seconds. However, the Mexicans were not deterred by their early setback and began to impose themselves on the game. Isidoro Diaz levelled the score after 13 minutes and Alfredo del Aguila put the Mexicans in front after half an hour. Hector Hernández secured the Mexican win on the stroke of time as he netted via the penalty spot. Few had expected the Mexicans to impress at Chile 1962, but their guts and determination had left many revising their thoughts of Mexico. The Czechs were not overly concerned, they had already qualified.
07-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Mexico:Czechoslovakia
3:1 (2:1) Sausalito
06-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Brazil:Spain
2:1 (0:1) Sausalito
03-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Spain:Mexico
1:0 (0:0) Sausalito
02-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Brazil:Czechoslovakia
0:0 Sausalito
31-MAY-62 VINA DEL MAR Czechoslovakia:Spain
1:0 (0:0) Sausalito
30-MAY-62 VINA DEL MAR Brazil:Mexico
2:0 (0:0) Sausalito
Group D
Argentina opened their World Cup travails against Bulgaria, hoping to makes amends for their disastrous tournament four years earlier. This time they got off to a great start when Facundo scored in the opening 5 minutes. That might have been the signal for the floodgates to open, but the Bulgarians stood firm and were able to limit their opponents to just the single goal.
In Hungary England faced a foe that had confirmed their vulnerability 9 years earlier and shattered an image that had lasted since the beginnings of the game. Sadly for the Hungarians only Gyula Grosics remained from the side that had thrashed England 6-3 at Wembley, but their new crop were out to prove that they could match the accomplishments of their predecessors. Indeed Tichy showed quite how much the new guard had to offer when he controlled a high ball, won a tackle in midfield and, after an interchange of passes, left Bobby for dead before crashing the ball past Springett. England were brought back into the game when Ron Flowers converted from the spot after a blatant handball on the line by Kalman Meszoly, who should have been dismissed. Florian Albert settled the game with little time remaining, rounding Springett and firing in from an acute angle to put Hungary in a strong position in Group 4.
England and Argentina are commonly perceived as great World Cup enemies, but in 1962 Antonio Rattin’s famous exploits, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and David Beckham’s petulance were all in the future. That of course is not to say that the game would pass without controversy. Indeed England found themselves ahead after 18 minutes when Ron Flowers blasted England into the lead from the penalty spot after Navarro had handled in the area. England extended their lead shortly before half time as Bobby Charlton scored with a powerful, low drive. At 2-0 England began to canter and Jimmy Greaves was able to add a third in the second half. Although Jose Sanfilipo pulled one back with ten minutes remaining, England’s victory was never really in doubt and the scoreline finished 3-1.
Hungary’s clash with their Eastern European cousins Bulgria appeared to be a mismatch from the off. Florian Albert fired the Hungarians ahead within a minute and after he added a second Tichy and Ernoe Selymosi both netted to make the score 4-0 with only 12 minutes played. It was not until after half-time that Albert finally completed his hat-trick, but Asparoukhov finally gave the Bulgarians something to cheer about in the 64th minute. Lajos Tichy completed the scooring with 20 minutes to go. Bulgaria’s torture was finally over.
The group’s final games both ended in 0-0 draws as neither Hungary nor England needed anything more to qualify. The Hungarians made a number of changes to their side for the game with Argentina, but England fielded a full strength line-up and were in truth fortunate to progress after a couple of defensive scares. Argentina again went home disappointed, their move to a negative style of play had failed to reap the desired rewards.
07-JUN-62 RANCAGUA England:Bulgaria
0:0 Braden Cooper Co.
06-JUN-62 RANCAGUA Hungary:Argentina
0:0 Braden Cooper Co.
03-JUN-62 RANCAGUA Hungary:Bulgaria
6:1 (4:0) Braden Cooper Co.
02-JUN-62 RANCAGUA England:Argentina
3:1 (2:0) Braden Cooper Co.
31-MAY-62 RANCAGUA Hungary:England
2:1 (1:0) Braden Cooper Co.
30-MAY-62 RANCAGUA Argentina:Bulgaria
1:0 (1:0) Braden Cooper Co.
Quarter finals
Yugoslavia then met W Germany at the quarter final stage for the third World Cup in succession. The previous two had seen W Germany progress, this one was to be more kind to the Eastern Europeans. Uwe Seeler made a bright start for the Germans in the early stages, rattling the post of Soskic, before the Yugoslav made a superb diving save from Helmut Rahn. Yet despite their early dominance the Germans were unable to find a breakthrough and so, with their confidence growing, the Yugoslavs began to find a way back into the game.Indeed they were unlucky not to go in front in the second half when Milan Galic saw his shot cleared off the line. Ultimately the deciding goal was scored by Petr Radokovic, teed up by Galic to hammer the ball past the despairing Fahrian with only minutes remaining. Drazen Jerkovic almost made it two in the dying moments with an incredible overhead kick, but it flew narrowly over the bar.The Yugoslavs emerged victorious and they had at last avenged their previous World Cup defeats.
The game between Czechoslovakia and Hungary was played in front of a pitiful 10,000 spectators in Rancagua. There they saw the Hungarians underline their class and their lack of luck. The Magyars started brighlty but within thirteen minutes Masopust fed a delightful through ball to Albert Scherer who beat Grosics and sent the Czechs into the lead. Despite the incisive attacks of Albert the Hungarians were unable to beat Schroiff in the Czech goal. When the Magyars did finally think they had an equaliser the goal was scratched off for off-side by referee Latischev. Schroiff’s impact on the game could not be overstated and that was apparent at the match’s conclusion as he was carried off aloft the shoulders of his colleagues.
England faced the nightmare draw of the second round as penalty for not topping their group, a tie with Brazil. Garrincha gave the Selecao the lead after half an hour as he out-jumped Maurice Norman to powerfully head home a Mario Zagallo corner. Yet their lead lasted less than ten minutes as Gerry Hitchens demonstrated his poacher’s credentials after the ball rebounded off the bar. It was some vindication for Hitchens as he returned to the side in place of Alan Peacock of Middlesbrough, for whom he had been dropped in the previous two games. Perhaps the first half’s most remarkable moment was the arrival of a dog on the pitch, which made a nuisance of itself, before being caught by Jimmy Greaves on whom it proceded to urinate. Garrincha, a lover of killing animals in his hometown of Pau Grande, took the dog back to Brazil with him as a memento. Garrincha then dominated the second half, his blistering freekick being too powerful for Ron Springett to hold, Vava pounced to knock in the rebound and score his first goal of the finals. Garrincha’s second goal was a thing of true beauty. Didi punted the ball forward and when it fell to Garrincha he controlled it effortlessly before curling the ball past the arms of Springett. In Pele’s absence Garrincha was showing that he was able to provide the spark of inspiration O Rei was so often responsible for.
The game between the USSR and hosts Chile confirmed the continued poor form of Soviet talisman Lev Yashin. Indeed Yashin was squarely at fault for the first goal, a freekick from wide to the right of his penalty area, lashed home by Lionel Sanchez. The Soviets briefly came back into the game when Aleksei Mamykin’s shot was saved by Escuti, Mikhail Meshki hammered the ball across the 6 yard box and it was turned home by Igor Chislenko. Yet within a minute the Chileans were back in front. The Soviets initially won the ball back from kick-off but then carelessly fell asleep and allowed Sergio Navarro to rob the ball and stride forward 30 yards. He passed the ball easily to Rojas who despatched the ball past Yashin from all of thirty yards. In the second half Yashin’s critics had less to talk of, a wonderful save denying Honorino Landa when he raced in on goal unopposed. Yashin could do little to save the USSR though, they needed a goal and that was not something he, nor any of his team mates, could provide. Chile clung on bravely to record a famous victory and step, against all odds, into the semi-finals.
10-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Yugoslavia:Germany FR
1:0 (0:0) Nacional
10-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Brazil:England
3:1 (1:1) Sausalito
10-JUN-62 RANCAGUA Czechoslovakia:Hungary
1:0 (1:0) Braden Cooper Co.
10-JUN-62 ARICA Chile:Soviet Union
2:1 (2:1) Carlos Dittborn
The Semi-finals
The qualification of Chile for the semi-finals forced FIFA into a switch of venues for the games. The hosts then met Brazil in Santiago in front of a passionate crowd of 80,000 praying for their side to make it to the World Cup dreams. In reality their dreams were never likely to be realised especially with Garrincha in such form. After 9 minutes Mario Zagallo put over a long cross from the left, Amarildo failed to connect with a bicycle kick and Garrincha was there to smash the ball into the net from the edge of the area. On the half hour mark Garrincha extended their lead when he headed in from Zagallo’s corner to make it 2-0. Yet the Chileans hadn’t got this far by caving in under pressure and when Zito upended Eladio Rojas for a free-kick Jorge Toro demonstrated that he could match even Didi from set pieces with a thunderous strike that deceived Gilmar. Garrincha’s brilliance began to show itself again in the second half as he burst to the byline to win a corner which he took himself. It was a looping, swirling ball into the box which met the head of Vava to restore Brazil’s 2 goals cushion. Zozimo carelessly though allowed Chile a route back into the game when he handled in the box and Sanchez duely converted the spot kick. With just ten minutes remaining Vava settled Brazilians nerves and made sure of their progression heading in his second goal from a magical Mario Zagallo cross. With the match won Brazil might have sat back, but the closing minutes were brought further to life by the dismissal of both Garrincha and Landas. Garrincha had been kicked from pillar to post throughout the game by Rojas, and when he petulantly retaliated he was sent off by referee Yamasaki. The Brazilians draped themselves in a Chilean flag just as they had done when they defeated hosts Sweden 4 years earlier.
The other semi-final was played in Vina del Mar in front of just 5,000 spectators, attributable in no small part to the fact that the Chile-Brazil game was being played simultaneously. The first half was uneventful and those few spectators that did turn out must have been questioning their decision. Yet early in the second half the game finally got going. Josef Kadraba headed Czechoslovakia into the lead after Milutin Soskic had done well to parry a venomous shot. With twenty minutes remaining the Yugoslavs levelled the game, Petr Radakovic pumped a hopeful long ball forward and Dragan Jerkovic headed past Schroiff as he attempted to collect the ball. Ten minutes later the Czechs restored their lead with an incisive and quick moving counter attack that was finished off by Scherer tucking the ball under the body of Soskic. The victory was complete with just 3 minutes remaining when Scherer lofted a hopeful ball into the penalty area it was inexplicably handled by Markovic. Scherer himself took the responsibility for converting from the spot and he made no mistake, easily beating Soskic.
13-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Brazil:Chile
4:2 (2:1) Nacional
13-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Czechoslovakia:Yugoslavia
3:1 (0:0) Sausalito
3rd place playoff
So Chile and Yugoslavia played off in Santiago for the honour of 3rd place. In truth the Yugoslavs saw little consolation in such a prize, the Chileans roared on by their home supporters clearly the more eager to gain victory. Still the Yugoslavs thought they had taken the lead at one point when Skoblar netted but he sadly saw his goal ruled out for offside. With little time remaining the Chileans capped a fine tournament, one in which few had given them much chance of making any real impact, by taking the lead. Rojas managed to race through the Yugoslav defence and score past Soskic, who was in fairness caght out by an unfortunate deflection. It was to prove the Chileans greatest moment at the World Cup finals, a fine moment for them on home soil to garner a bronze medal at the game’s greatest show-piece.
16-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Chile:Yugoslavia
1:0 (0:0) Nacional
Final
The build up to the final had been dominated by the question of Garrincha. He was clearly the tournament’s finest player, in the absence of Pele few denied that he was the game’s greatest. However, his petulant actions in the semi-finals had seen him dismissed and his participation in the final was now in doubt. At first it appeared he would miss the game, but the Brazilian party intervened stating how out of character it was for Garrincha, who had never been sent off before. This wasn’t true however, Garrincha having been sent off three times in the past, but the organising committee failed to pick up on this point and so the Little Bird was able to play in his second final. As it was his performance was largely marred by an illness he had picked up in the prior days and so his contribution to the final itself was limited. Thankfully for Brazil, he was not to be missed.
When the game did get underway it made a bright start, and Brazil the brighter of the two teams. Brazil almost took the lead early in the encounter but were denied by a fine save from Schroiff from Nilton Santos. After 15 minutes the Czechs stunned their South American opponents and took the lead. It was a fine goal, showing the intelligence of the Czech midfield both in possession and out of it. It came from a masterful ball through by Sherer to Masopust who timed his run to perfection and slipped the ball low under Gilmar.
Yet the Brazilians, just as they had done four years earlier, responded to this set-back in the manner of true champions. It was Pele’s stand-in Amarildo that crafted the goal driving powerfully past Pluskal into the box and somehow managing to sqeeze the ball between Schroiff and the post to score. Schroiff really should have done better, yet such was the calibre of the movement and finish of Amarildo that it was tough to admonish the Czech keeper. From such an acute angle none could have expected Amarildo to shoot for goal, the Botafogo forward was rewarded for his courage and cheek.
Early in the second half Amarildo showed again that he was capable of all the magic of a missing Pele. He demonstrated exceptional footwork to force the space for a delicate cross for Zito who headed in to score and put Brazil ahead. Now trailing for the first time the Czechs responded in kind. Indeed they almost levelled the scores moments later when a cross-shot from Josef Jelinek produced an excellent save by Gilmar at the near post. The game was settled with only ten or so minutes remaining as Djalma Santos fired in a high, looping cross from the right and Schroiff blinded by the sun dropped the ball straight ot the feet of the waiting Vava who stabbed it home. It was a real injustice on Schroiff who had been marvellous in the Czechs route to the final, now he had cost his side a second goal when it mattered most. Sadly though even he crumbled under the wight of pressure applied by Brazil’s forward line.
In the absence of Pele, and the effective absence of Garrincha, Amarildo had risen to meet the task in front of him, to inspire Brazil to their second World Cup title. No side since Italy in 1938 had achieved that, and this Brazil side had done it with a style that inspired all that watched them.
17-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Brazil:Czechoslovakia
3:1 (1:1) Nacional
FIFA’ Official Page (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/1962.html)
Full line ups, scorers and much more (http://www.rsssf.com/tables/62full.html)
http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/en/pf/20011221/i/1410162742.jpg
After back to back World Cups being held in Europe it was widely felt that S America could not be snubbed for a third time in succession. Chile was named as host for the 1962 championships ahead of the challenge of giants Argentina.
The favourites, perhaps naturally, were Brazil. As reigning champions they had lost little of their hunger, and close to home were considered as the team to beat. Pele, the 17 year old that had taken the world by storm in Sweden, was now 21 and almost unquestionably the world’s leading figure. His form with Santos had lifted them to the position of Brazilian footballing power-house, a status the club had not achieved before. Also back again was the bow legged Garrincha, the precociously talented right winger, who seemed to glide past defenders for fun.
Leading the European contingent were the Soviet Union who had proved themselves the continent’s best two years earlier in France. Their challenge was largely dependent on the form of Lev Yashin, their exceptional goalkeeper, but they also had plenty to offer in the outfield positions! The most notable of their options was Igor Netto, Spartak Moscow’s outstanding left-half, though Valeriy Voronin, the half-back, and Valentin Ivanov, the inside-forward, both of Torpedo Moscow were also world class performers.
England’s hopes were again centred on inside forward Johnny Haynes, now captain, and whose passes were the source of so many goals. The man hoping to latch on to these passes was Jimmy Greaves of Tottenham Hotspur. Greaves had impressed so much at Chelsea that he had attracted the attention of Italian giants Milan, where he had played well, before returning to London with double-winning Spurs for a record fee of £99,999. His first year at White Hart Lane had yielded only an FA Cup, but he had sparkled there scoring 21 league goals as well as the 9 goals he hit in Italy. As well as Greaves, England had added two other youngsters of exceptional gifts in Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore. Charlton had survived the Munich Air Disaster and though still deeply affected by that tragedy, he had dramatically improved in the four years since to be considered a major threat on England’s left-wing. Bobby Moore was a cultured and composed centre-half who made defending look easy, but who was also afflicted with a propensity for mistakes and questionable pace. Luckily his leadership qualities, ability on the ball and excellent reading of the game more than made up for any perceived shortcomings. In attack Gerry Hitchens played up front with Greaves, and was (along with John Charles) the perfect example of the happy side of the English exodus to Serie A. His move to Inter from Aston Villa had proved to be an unmitigated success and he formed a crucial part of a superb frontline.
Group A
Group A was a tale of two sets of neighbours containing as it did two South American sides, Colombia and Uruguay, and two from Eastern Europe, the USSR and Yugoslavia. It was the South Americans that kicked the group off in Arica, a pairing that highlighted the relative inequalities and complexity of S American football. For Colombia, a nation with a population second only to that of Brazil on the continent were perceived as minnows against Uruguay, twice world champions despite their 3 million inhabitants. As it was the Colombians sprang a surprise on their respected adversaries when Francisco Zuluaga scored from the spot after 19 minutes. The second half saw normal order restored as Jose Cubilla and Luis Sasia scored fine goals for Uruguay, despite the best efforts of Colombia’s out-standing goalkeeper Efrain Sanchez.
The Soviet Union, crowned inaugural European Champions two years earlier, faced Eastern European rivals Yugoslavia in their opening game in Group A. The Soviets took the lead early in the second half, Valentin Ivanov pouncing to head in when a thunderous Viktor Podelnik free-kick came back off the bar. They doubled their lead soon after when Ponedelnik exchanged passes with Ivanov and rifled the ball into the back of the net. Despite the Yugoslavs best efforts they were unable to find a response and so the Soviets got off to a winning start. The victory came at a price though, Eduard Dubinski’s leg was broken in a clash with Muhamed Mujic the Yugoslav captain which resulted in both men’s participation at the World Cup being over (Mujic was sent home by his side).
The Yugoslavs sought to atone for their poor first performance when they played Uruguay in their second game. However, they found themselves behind after just 19 minutes as Ruben Cabrera headed Uruguay into the lead. The Eastern European side were back on level terms though 7 minutes later when Josip Skoblar converted a penalty, and they were ahead before the break courtesy of Milan Galic. In the second half Drazen Jerkovic extended the Yugoslav advantage before the game hit a sour note when Popovic and Cabrera were both dismissed. The Uruguayan fared no better with ten men than they had with eleven and the match ended 3-1 to Yugoslvia. Such was the brilliance of Dragoslav Sekularac though, that he was carried off the pitch on the shoulders of his opponents. The Uruguyans, often famed for their uncompromising attitude and propensity for gamesmanship, demonstrating great humility and sportsmanship in the presence of genius.
The USSR’s game with Colombia proved to be one of the shocks of the tournament, but in the initial stages it seemed like business as usual for the Soviets. Indeed they found themselves 3-0 up after 11 minutes thanks to two goals from Ivanov and one from Igor Chislenko. German Aceros was able to reduce the arrears after 21 minutes, but at half time Colombia trailed the European champions 3-1. Furthermore the game looked dead and buried early in the second half when Podelnik, having impressed in the first game, restored the USSR’s 3 goal cushion. What followed though has gone down in World Cup legend and produced Soviet nightmares for years to come. Remarkably Marcos Coll, the Colombian captain, scored directly from a corner and Angulo Rada and Marino Klinger both scored to level the game. Much of the blame was heaped on Lev Yashin, the legendary Soviet goalkeeper, for allowing his side to tamely throw away a three goal advantage.
In their final game the Russians narrowly scraped past Uruguay, a side they had demolished 5-0 in Moscow prior to the tournament. Aleksei Mamikin put the Soviets in front after 38 minutes, but Jose Sasia made it 1-1 shortly after the break with a well executed freekick. The match appeared to be heading towards a draw with time running out until Ivanov finally restored the USSR’s lead with just a minute remaining.
The group’s final game proved a one sided affair. Colombia, who had perhaps overachieved in their first two games, now came crashing down to earth. Some felt that their exertions had left them jaded but the Yugoslavs were in no mood for sympathy. Instead they took full advantage of the Colombians’ fatigue and ran in 5 goals, the outstanding Drazen Jerkovic bagging three and Milan Galic and Vojislev Melic scoring one apiece.
07-JUN-62 ARICA Yugoslavia:Colombia
5:0 (2:0) Carlos Dittborn
06-JUN-62 ARICA Soviet Union:Uruguay
2:1 (1:0) Carlos Dittborn
03-JUN-62 ARICA Soviet Union:Colombia
4:4 (3:1) Carlos Dittborn
02-JUN-62 ARICA Yugoslavia:Uruguay
3:1 (2:1) Carlos Dittborn
31-MAY-62 ARICA Soviet Union:Yugoslavia
2:0 (0:0) Carlos Dittborn
30-MAY-62 ARICA Uruguay:Colombia
2:1 (0:1) Carlos Dittborn
Group B
Hosts Chile began their World Cup campaign against Switzerland, the 1954 hosts, in Santiago in front of their President Allesandri. Rolf Wüthrich opened the scoring for the visitors after 7 minutes with a powerful shot from outside the box. Chile though responded shortly before half time when Leonel Sanchez netted from close range to level the scores. Jaime Remirez put Chile in front after 51 minutes, in a moment which showed both sides of Swiss keeper Karl Elsener. Elsener initially saved well from a fierce drive, but then let a tame effort from Ramirez slip through his fingers. Sanchez sealed the game with a neat finished after his teammates’ slick interplay. Chile then got off to a dream start in front of their admiring home crowd, a solid 3-1 victory.
Italy and W Germany’s opening encounter proved to be a curious affair, both sides wary of their opponent to such an extent that they prized not losing above winning. In truth it was a waste of an abundance of attacking talent, Italy played an attacking trio of Gianni Rivera, Omar Sivori and Jose Altafini, while the W Germans still had Hans Schafer to feed the marauding Uwe Seeler. Sadly caution triumphed over flair and the game produced no goals, in many ways a result that satisfied both parties.
The match between Italy and Chile has lived on in infamy as the “Battle of Santiago” and it proved to be a disgraceful affair. The build up to the game did not help matters as one Italian journalist had been threatened with deportation in response to his inflammatory articles articles deriding the calibre of the hosts’ side. Coupled with this was the age old issue of the oriundi, the South American players of Italian descent, which were reviled by some sections of the South American public. The match got off to an awful start a Leonel Sanchez broke the nose of Argentine Maschio with a punch after a particularly dirty tackle. Sanchez somehow managed to stay on the pitch, but Giorgio Ferrini and Mario David of Italy were not so lucky both being ordered off in the first half by Ken Aston, the English referee. Jaime Ramirez broke the deadlock in the second half with a well placed header after a poor punch by Carlo Mattrel the Italian keeper. Two minutes from time Jorge Toro scored a fabulous goal from distance to settle the game, sadly for him few remembered it after all the bad blood that had gone before.
The following day Switzerland faced W Germany in a game that was soured by the crude tackle of Szymaniak which broke the leg of Norbert Eschmann. This left the Swiss to play the majority of the game with ten men and while they applied themselves well, their plucky efforts were always unlikely to be enough. Goals from Albert Brülls and Seeler left the Germans two up after an hour, but the Swiss were able to pull one back from Heinz Schneiter. The W Germans held on to their slender advantage and took a strong position in the group.
Chile’s final group game saw them up against W Germany, in a clash to decide who would top the pool. The Germans were given the ideal opportunity to take the lead in the first half when Robert Davidson the Scottish referee awarded them a penalty and Szymaniak converted from the spot, sending goalkeeper Misael Escuti the wrong way. Uwe Seeler sealed the victory in the second half, scoring with a fabulous diving header having lost his marker Sergio Navarro. His goal saw Germany leapfrog Chile, but it was no matter, both advanced.
Germany’s victory over Chile meant that Italy’s game with Switzerland was essentially irrelevant. The Italians though were not to know this and they set about the Swiss with vigour. Bruno Mora put the Italians ahead after just 2 minutes, and Giacomo Bulgarelli scored a quick-fire double in the second half to ensure that the Italians at least ended their campaign in style. Sadly the Italians, with all the talent they had assembled in an exceptional squad, failed to deliver in Chile. For all the hype and hopes back home the Azzuri were made to pay for their slow start and went home disappointed.
07-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Italy:Switzerland
3:0 (1:0) Nacional
06-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Germany FR:Chile
2:0 (1:0) Nacional
03-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Germany FR:Switzerland
2:1 (1:0) Nacional
02-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Chile:Italy
2:0 (0:0) Nacional
31-MAY-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Germany FR:Italy
0:0 Nacional
30-MAY-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Chile:Switzerland
3:1 (1:1) Nacional
Group C
Brazil began the defence of their world title against Mexico in the Vina del Mar group. Yet Brazil made surprisingly hard work of what had been initially though a routine encounter, as they failed to find the net in the first half. Shortly after the break Mario Zagallo, a veteran now at 31, met Pele’s cross to head the South Americans into the lead. It was Pele himself who doubled their advantage, showing great skill to confound a host of Mexican defenders, before rifling the ball past Antonio Carbajal. There the scoring ended and the Mexicans could be proud of their performance in the face of such fearsome opposition.
The game between Spain and Czechoslovakia drew together the two teams that most observers felt would compete to play second fiddle to Brazil. It was the Czechs who emerged victorious, thanks to a single goal from outside-right Josef Stibranyi, though it was their defence that laid an impressive platform. With Ferenc Puskas, Luisito Suarez, Luis Del Sol and Paco Gento Spain’s creative options were the envy of all, yet they simply could not force a goal. Vilem Schroiff in the Czech goal was roundly applauded for his efforts in keeping the Iberians at bay, while Josef Masopust’s measured passing game ensured that the Eastern Europeans made the most of the possession they enjoyed.
Czechoslovakia followed up their clean sheet against Spain with another against Brazil, yet the game was most noted for the loss of the great Pele to a torn thigh muscle. Playing effectively with ten men for the remainder of the match, even the traditionally adventurous Selecao resorted to a cautious style of play. The Czechs appeared content with a 0-0 stalemate and so despite the dare and dash of Garrincha et al the match petered out into a draw.
The low scoring nature of Group 3 continued when Mexcio took on Spain and the game was settled by a single goal. The man that made the decisive breakthrough was Joaquin Peiró with an excellent finish after running through almost unopposed by the Mexican defence. The Spaniards made hard work of their less illustrious opposition, just as Brazil had struggled against Mexico in their opening encounter. Still, the Spaniards were glad of any victory after their defeat to the Czechs and so even at 1-0 they were content.
Spain’s clash with Brazil brought together some of the world’s great figures and Didi, Brazil’s fabulous play-maker, had the chance to prove himself against a country which had proved singularly unappreciative of his talents. The Spaniards took the lead after 35 minutes when Rodriguez Adélardo broke the deadlock with a fierce, low drive. The second half though was marked by the arrival on the world stage of Amarildo. The Botofogo inside forward was the man charged with the task of replacing the irreplaceable but injured Pele, and if he was hesitant in the face of such expectation he certainly didn’t let it show. Instead, midway through the second half, Amarildo burst into the six-yard box to meet a low Mario Zagallo cross and steered the ball past Jose Araguistain. Garrincha though was not happy to let the match end as a draw, instead he turned on the style once more, beating his marking and driving to the touchline to cross for Amarildo who headed in. Spain’s challenge had sadly fallen at the first hurdle, and Alfredo Di Stefano’s hopes of appearing in the World Cup finals were over.
The group’s final game also produced its strangest result as Mexico humbled a Czechoslovakian side which had impressed all in their first two games of the tournament. At first it appeared that the game would prove a cakewalk for the Czechs as Vaclav Masek scored after just 20 seconds. However, the Mexicans were not deterred by their early setback and began to impose themselves on the game. Isidoro Diaz levelled the score after 13 minutes and Alfredo del Aguila put the Mexicans in front after half an hour. Hector Hernández secured the Mexican win on the stroke of time as he netted via the penalty spot. Few had expected the Mexicans to impress at Chile 1962, but their guts and determination had left many revising their thoughts of Mexico. The Czechs were not overly concerned, they had already qualified.
07-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Mexico:Czechoslovakia
3:1 (2:1) Sausalito
06-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Brazil:Spain
2:1 (0:1) Sausalito
03-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Spain:Mexico
1:0 (0:0) Sausalito
02-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Brazil:Czechoslovakia
0:0 Sausalito
31-MAY-62 VINA DEL MAR Czechoslovakia:Spain
1:0 (0:0) Sausalito
30-MAY-62 VINA DEL MAR Brazil:Mexico
2:0 (0:0) Sausalito
Group D
Argentina opened their World Cup travails against Bulgaria, hoping to makes amends for their disastrous tournament four years earlier. This time they got off to a great start when Facundo scored in the opening 5 minutes. That might have been the signal for the floodgates to open, but the Bulgarians stood firm and were able to limit their opponents to just the single goal.
In Hungary England faced a foe that had confirmed their vulnerability 9 years earlier and shattered an image that had lasted since the beginnings of the game. Sadly for the Hungarians only Gyula Grosics remained from the side that had thrashed England 6-3 at Wembley, but their new crop were out to prove that they could match the accomplishments of their predecessors. Indeed Tichy showed quite how much the new guard had to offer when he controlled a high ball, won a tackle in midfield and, after an interchange of passes, left Bobby for dead before crashing the ball past Springett. England were brought back into the game when Ron Flowers converted from the spot after a blatant handball on the line by Kalman Meszoly, who should have been dismissed. Florian Albert settled the game with little time remaining, rounding Springett and firing in from an acute angle to put Hungary in a strong position in Group 4.
England and Argentina are commonly perceived as great World Cup enemies, but in 1962 Antonio Rattin’s famous exploits, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and David Beckham’s petulance were all in the future. That of course is not to say that the game would pass without controversy. Indeed England found themselves ahead after 18 minutes when Ron Flowers blasted England into the lead from the penalty spot after Navarro had handled in the area. England extended their lead shortly before half time as Bobby Charlton scored with a powerful, low drive. At 2-0 England began to canter and Jimmy Greaves was able to add a third in the second half. Although Jose Sanfilipo pulled one back with ten minutes remaining, England’s victory was never really in doubt and the scoreline finished 3-1.
Hungary’s clash with their Eastern European cousins Bulgria appeared to be a mismatch from the off. Florian Albert fired the Hungarians ahead within a minute and after he added a second Tichy and Ernoe Selymosi both netted to make the score 4-0 with only 12 minutes played. It was not until after half-time that Albert finally completed his hat-trick, but Asparoukhov finally gave the Bulgarians something to cheer about in the 64th minute. Lajos Tichy completed the scooring with 20 minutes to go. Bulgaria’s torture was finally over.
The group’s final games both ended in 0-0 draws as neither Hungary nor England needed anything more to qualify. The Hungarians made a number of changes to their side for the game with Argentina, but England fielded a full strength line-up and were in truth fortunate to progress after a couple of defensive scares. Argentina again went home disappointed, their move to a negative style of play had failed to reap the desired rewards.
07-JUN-62 RANCAGUA England:Bulgaria
0:0 Braden Cooper Co.
06-JUN-62 RANCAGUA Hungary:Argentina
0:0 Braden Cooper Co.
03-JUN-62 RANCAGUA Hungary:Bulgaria
6:1 (4:0) Braden Cooper Co.
02-JUN-62 RANCAGUA England:Argentina
3:1 (2:0) Braden Cooper Co.
31-MAY-62 RANCAGUA Hungary:England
2:1 (1:0) Braden Cooper Co.
30-MAY-62 RANCAGUA Argentina:Bulgaria
1:0 (1:0) Braden Cooper Co.
Quarter finals
Yugoslavia then met W Germany at the quarter final stage for the third World Cup in succession. The previous two had seen W Germany progress, this one was to be more kind to the Eastern Europeans. Uwe Seeler made a bright start for the Germans in the early stages, rattling the post of Soskic, before the Yugoslav made a superb diving save from Helmut Rahn. Yet despite their early dominance the Germans were unable to find a breakthrough and so, with their confidence growing, the Yugoslavs began to find a way back into the game.Indeed they were unlucky not to go in front in the second half when Milan Galic saw his shot cleared off the line. Ultimately the deciding goal was scored by Petr Radokovic, teed up by Galic to hammer the ball past the despairing Fahrian with only minutes remaining. Drazen Jerkovic almost made it two in the dying moments with an incredible overhead kick, but it flew narrowly over the bar.The Yugoslavs emerged victorious and they had at last avenged their previous World Cup defeats.
The game between Czechoslovakia and Hungary was played in front of a pitiful 10,000 spectators in Rancagua. There they saw the Hungarians underline their class and their lack of luck. The Magyars started brighlty but within thirteen minutes Masopust fed a delightful through ball to Albert Scherer who beat Grosics and sent the Czechs into the lead. Despite the incisive attacks of Albert the Hungarians were unable to beat Schroiff in the Czech goal. When the Magyars did finally think they had an equaliser the goal was scratched off for off-side by referee Latischev. Schroiff’s impact on the game could not be overstated and that was apparent at the match’s conclusion as he was carried off aloft the shoulders of his colleagues.
England faced the nightmare draw of the second round as penalty for not topping their group, a tie with Brazil. Garrincha gave the Selecao the lead after half an hour as he out-jumped Maurice Norman to powerfully head home a Mario Zagallo corner. Yet their lead lasted less than ten minutes as Gerry Hitchens demonstrated his poacher’s credentials after the ball rebounded off the bar. It was some vindication for Hitchens as he returned to the side in place of Alan Peacock of Middlesbrough, for whom he had been dropped in the previous two games. Perhaps the first half’s most remarkable moment was the arrival of a dog on the pitch, which made a nuisance of itself, before being caught by Jimmy Greaves on whom it proceded to urinate. Garrincha, a lover of killing animals in his hometown of Pau Grande, took the dog back to Brazil with him as a memento. Garrincha then dominated the second half, his blistering freekick being too powerful for Ron Springett to hold, Vava pounced to knock in the rebound and score his first goal of the finals. Garrincha’s second goal was a thing of true beauty. Didi punted the ball forward and when it fell to Garrincha he controlled it effortlessly before curling the ball past the arms of Springett. In Pele’s absence Garrincha was showing that he was able to provide the spark of inspiration O Rei was so often responsible for.
The game between the USSR and hosts Chile confirmed the continued poor form of Soviet talisman Lev Yashin. Indeed Yashin was squarely at fault for the first goal, a freekick from wide to the right of his penalty area, lashed home by Lionel Sanchez. The Soviets briefly came back into the game when Aleksei Mamykin’s shot was saved by Escuti, Mikhail Meshki hammered the ball across the 6 yard box and it was turned home by Igor Chislenko. Yet within a minute the Chileans were back in front. The Soviets initially won the ball back from kick-off but then carelessly fell asleep and allowed Sergio Navarro to rob the ball and stride forward 30 yards. He passed the ball easily to Rojas who despatched the ball past Yashin from all of thirty yards. In the second half Yashin’s critics had less to talk of, a wonderful save denying Honorino Landa when he raced in on goal unopposed. Yashin could do little to save the USSR though, they needed a goal and that was not something he, nor any of his team mates, could provide. Chile clung on bravely to record a famous victory and step, against all odds, into the semi-finals.
10-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Yugoslavia:Germany FR
1:0 (0:0) Nacional
10-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Brazil:England
3:1 (1:1) Sausalito
10-JUN-62 RANCAGUA Czechoslovakia:Hungary
1:0 (1:0) Braden Cooper Co.
10-JUN-62 ARICA Chile:Soviet Union
2:1 (2:1) Carlos Dittborn
The Semi-finals
The qualification of Chile for the semi-finals forced FIFA into a switch of venues for the games. The hosts then met Brazil in Santiago in front of a passionate crowd of 80,000 praying for their side to make it to the World Cup dreams. In reality their dreams were never likely to be realised especially with Garrincha in such form. After 9 minutes Mario Zagallo put over a long cross from the left, Amarildo failed to connect with a bicycle kick and Garrincha was there to smash the ball into the net from the edge of the area. On the half hour mark Garrincha extended their lead when he headed in from Zagallo’s corner to make it 2-0. Yet the Chileans hadn’t got this far by caving in under pressure and when Zito upended Eladio Rojas for a free-kick Jorge Toro demonstrated that he could match even Didi from set pieces with a thunderous strike that deceived Gilmar. Garrincha’s brilliance began to show itself again in the second half as he burst to the byline to win a corner which he took himself. It was a looping, swirling ball into the box which met the head of Vava to restore Brazil’s 2 goals cushion. Zozimo carelessly though allowed Chile a route back into the game when he handled in the box and Sanchez duely converted the spot kick. With just ten minutes remaining Vava settled Brazilians nerves and made sure of their progression heading in his second goal from a magical Mario Zagallo cross. With the match won Brazil might have sat back, but the closing minutes were brought further to life by the dismissal of both Garrincha and Landas. Garrincha had been kicked from pillar to post throughout the game by Rojas, and when he petulantly retaliated he was sent off by referee Yamasaki. The Brazilians draped themselves in a Chilean flag just as they had done when they defeated hosts Sweden 4 years earlier.
The other semi-final was played in Vina del Mar in front of just 5,000 spectators, attributable in no small part to the fact that the Chile-Brazil game was being played simultaneously. The first half was uneventful and those few spectators that did turn out must have been questioning their decision. Yet early in the second half the game finally got going. Josef Kadraba headed Czechoslovakia into the lead after Milutin Soskic had done well to parry a venomous shot. With twenty minutes remaining the Yugoslavs levelled the game, Petr Radakovic pumped a hopeful long ball forward and Dragan Jerkovic headed past Schroiff as he attempted to collect the ball. Ten minutes later the Czechs restored their lead with an incisive and quick moving counter attack that was finished off by Scherer tucking the ball under the body of Soskic. The victory was complete with just 3 minutes remaining when Scherer lofted a hopeful ball into the penalty area it was inexplicably handled by Markovic. Scherer himself took the responsibility for converting from the spot and he made no mistake, easily beating Soskic.
13-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Brazil:Chile
4:2 (2:1) Nacional
13-JUN-62 VINA DEL MAR Czechoslovakia:Yugoslavia
3:1 (0:0) Sausalito
3rd place playoff
So Chile and Yugoslavia played off in Santiago for the honour of 3rd place. In truth the Yugoslavs saw little consolation in such a prize, the Chileans roared on by their home supporters clearly the more eager to gain victory. Still the Yugoslavs thought they had taken the lead at one point when Skoblar netted but he sadly saw his goal ruled out for offside. With little time remaining the Chileans capped a fine tournament, one in which few had given them much chance of making any real impact, by taking the lead. Rojas managed to race through the Yugoslav defence and score past Soskic, who was in fairness caght out by an unfortunate deflection. It was to prove the Chileans greatest moment at the World Cup finals, a fine moment for them on home soil to garner a bronze medal at the game’s greatest show-piece.
16-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Chile:Yugoslavia
1:0 (0:0) Nacional
Final
The build up to the final had been dominated by the question of Garrincha. He was clearly the tournament’s finest player, in the absence of Pele few denied that he was the game’s greatest. However, his petulant actions in the semi-finals had seen him dismissed and his participation in the final was now in doubt. At first it appeared he would miss the game, but the Brazilian party intervened stating how out of character it was for Garrincha, who had never been sent off before. This wasn’t true however, Garrincha having been sent off three times in the past, but the organising committee failed to pick up on this point and so the Little Bird was able to play in his second final. As it was his performance was largely marred by an illness he had picked up in the prior days and so his contribution to the final itself was limited. Thankfully for Brazil, he was not to be missed.
When the game did get underway it made a bright start, and Brazil the brighter of the two teams. Brazil almost took the lead early in the encounter but were denied by a fine save from Schroiff from Nilton Santos. After 15 minutes the Czechs stunned their South American opponents and took the lead. It was a fine goal, showing the intelligence of the Czech midfield both in possession and out of it. It came from a masterful ball through by Sherer to Masopust who timed his run to perfection and slipped the ball low under Gilmar.
Yet the Brazilians, just as they had done four years earlier, responded to this set-back in the manner of true champions. It was Pele’s stand-in Amarildo that crafted the goal driving powerfully past Pluskal into the box and somehow managing to sqeeze the ball between Schroiff and the post to score. Schroiff really should have done better, yet such was the calibre of the movement and finish of Amarildo that it was tough to admonish the Czech keeper. From such an acute angle none could have expected Amarildo to shoot for goal, the Botafogo forward was rewarded for his courage and cheek.
Early in the second half Amarildo showed again that he was capable of all the magic of a missing Pele. He demonstrated exceptional footwork to force the space for a delicate cross for Zito who headed in to score and put Brazil ahead. Now trailing for the first time the Czechs responded in kind. Indeed they almost levelled the scores moments later when a cross-shot from Josef Jelinek produced an excellent save by Gilmar at the near post. The game was settled with only ten or so minutes remaining as Djalma Santos fired in a high, looping cross from the right and Schroiff blinded by the sun dropped the ball straight ot the feet of the waiting Vava who stabbed it home. It was a real injustice on Schroiff who had been marvellous in the Czechs route to the final, now he had cost his side a second goal when it mattered most. Sadly though even he crumbled under the wight of pressure applied by Brazil’s forward line.
In the absence of Pele, and the effective absence of Garrincha, Amarildo had risen to meet the task in front of him, to inspire Brazil to their second World Cup title. No side since Italy in 1938 had achieved that, and this Brazil side had done it with a style that inspired all that watched them.
17-JUN-62 SANTIAGO DE CHILE Brazil:Czechoslovakia
3:1 (1:1) Nacional
FIFA’ Official Page (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/p/pwc/1962.html)
Full line ups, scorers and much more (http://www.rsssf.com/tables/62full.html)
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