WORLD CUP (1986-1998) (4)
We continue our World Cup historical series at full speed from where we left off. The comments on my previous article motivated me a lot, and thanks to my readers who said they were excited for the continuation of the series, I started writing my article with high motivation. Good reading.
1986 WORLD CUP
1986 World Cup Mexico
The 1986 FIFA World Cup was held in Mexico between 31 May and 29 June. This was the second time Argentina won the tournament and West Germany finished second for the third time.
The tournament also featured unforgettable moments by Diego Maradona, including the "Hand of God" and the "Goal of the Century".
The group stage of the 1986 FIFA World Cup followed a format with 24 teams competing in six groups. Here are the groups and their results:
Group A: Argentina, Italy, Bulgaria and South Korea were in this group. Argentina and Italy were the two teams that left the group with 7 and 4 points, respectively.
Group B: This group included Mexico, Paraguay, Belgium and Iraq. Mexico and Paraguay were the two teams that left the group with 5 and 4 points, respectively.
Group C: The Soviet Union, France, Hungary and Canada were in this group. The Soviet Union and France were the two teams that left the group with 5 and 4 points, respectively.
Group D: This group included West Germany, Uruguay, Scotland and Denmark. West Germany and Uruguay were the two teams that left the group with 5 and 4 points, respectively.
Group E: This group included Brazil, Spain, Northern Ireland and Algeria. Brazil and Spain were the two teams that left the group with 6 and 4 points, respectively.
Group F: This group included England, Poland, Morocco and Portugal. England and Poland were the two teams that left the group with 5 and 4 points respectively.
In addition to the teams that qualified from the group, the four best third teams also advanced to the round of 16. These teams were Belgium, Portugal, Poland and Denmark.
In the last 16 rounds, Argentina, England, West Germany, Mexico, France, Brazil, Belgium and Spain advanced to the quarter-finals. In the quarter-finals, Argentina defeated England 2-1, West Germany defeated Mexico 4-1 on penalties, France defeated Brazil 4-3 on penalties and Belgium defeated Spain 1-0.
In the semi-finals, Argentina defeated Belgium 2-0, while West Germany defeated France 2-0. The final match was played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 29, 1986, and Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2 to become champions. In this match, Jorge Valdano, Jorge Burruchaga and Jorge Valdano came to the fore with their goals.
CHAMPION: ARGENTINA
The 1986 World Cup is remembered for Argentina's second win and Diego Maradona's unforgettable performances. While Maradona scored 5 goals in the tournament, he scored the "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" goals against England in the quarter-finals. This tournament also marked Canada's first participation in the tournament. Additionally, this tournament was the first tournament in which Denmark reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
The historical moment identified with the 1986 World Cup: The Hand of God
TOP SCORER: GARY LİNEKER - ENGLAND
1986 WORLD CUP FINAL
1990 WORLD CUP
1990 World Cup Italy
The 1990 FIFA World Cup took place in Italy from June 8 to July 8. This was the 14th FIFA World Cup and the second time Italy hosted the tournament after 1934. West Germany won their third World Cup title, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. This was the last World Cup won by a team from Europe until 2006.
The tournament format involved 24 teams divided into six groups. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advanced to the round of 16. Here is a breakdown of the groups from the 1990 FIFA World Cup:
Group A: This group consisted of Argentina, Cameroon, Romania, and the Soviet Union. Cameroon topped the group with 4 points, followed by Argentina with 3 points. Both teams advanced to the next round. Romania, despite also having 3 points, only advanced as one of the best third-placed teams due to goal difference.
Group B: This group included Italy, Austria, the United States, and Czechoslovakia. Italy topped the group with 5 points, with Czechoslovakia following with 4 points. Both teams advanced, while Austria also advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
Group C: Brazil, Costa Rica, Scotland, and Sweden were part of this group. Brazil led the group with 4 points, followed by Costa Rica with 3 points. Both teams advanced to the next round.
Group D: This group was composed of Uruguay, South Korea, Spain, and Belgium. Uruguay and Spain, both with 4 points, advanced. Belgium, despite also having 4 points, only advanced as one of the best third-placed teams due to goal difference.
Group E: West Germany, Yugoslavia, Colombia, and the United Arab Emirates were in this group. West Germany topped the group with 5 points, followed by Yugoslavia with 4 points. Both teams advanced, while Colombia also advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
Group F: This group included England, the Netherlands, Egypt, and the Republic of Ireland. England led the group with 5 points, followed by the Republic of Ireland with 3 points. Both teams advanced, while the Netherlands also advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advanced to the round of 16. The third-placed teams that advanced were Austria, Belgium, Colombia, and the Netherlands.
In the round of 16, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, England, West Germany, Czechoslovakia, Cameroon, and Republic of Ireland advanced to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, Argentina defeated Yugoslavia on penalties, Italy defeated Republic of Ireland 1-0, West Germany defeated Czechoslovakia 1-0, and England defeated Cameroon 3-2 after extra time. In the semifinals, Argentina defeated Italy on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and West Germany defeated England on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
In the final, held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, West Germany defeated Argentina 1-0, with the only goal of the match scored by Andreas Brehme from a penalty kick.
CHAMPION: WEST GERMANY
The 1990 World Cup is remembered for its defensive play, with a record low goals-per-game average. It's also known for the emergence of several African teams, including Cameroon, who reached the quarterfinals, and Egypt, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1934. The tournament also marked the end of the Cold War era, with teams from Eastern Europe participating for the last time as separate nations.
TOP SCORER: SALVATORE SCHILLACI
1990 WORLD CUP FINAL
1994 WORLD CUP
1994 World Cup ABD
The 1994 FIFA World Cup took place in the United States from June 17 to July 17. This was the 15th FIFA World Cup and the first World Cup held in the United States. Brazil won the tournament, defeating Italy in the final through a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw. This was Brazil's fourth World Cup title.
The tournament format involved 24 teams divided into six groups. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advanced to the round of 16. The 1994 World Cup, held in the United States, featured 24 teams divided into six groups (A to F). Here's a breakdown of each group:
Group A
Teams: United States, Switzerland, Colombia, Romania
Romania and the United States advanced to the Round of 16.
Group B
Teams: Brazil, Russia, Cameroon, Sweden
Brazil and Sweden advanced to the Round of 16.
Group C
Teams: Germany, Bolivia, South Korea, Spain
Germany and Spain advanced to the Round of 16.
Group D
Teams: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, Bulgaria
Nigeria and Argentina advanced to the Round of 16.
Group E
Teams: Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Norway
Mexico and Ireland advanced to the Round of 16.
Group F
Teams: Belgium, Morocco, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia
Netherlands and Saudi Arabia advanced to the Round of 16.
The top two teams from each group advanced to the Round of 16. The four best third-placed teams also advanced. These were determined by points, then goal difference, goals scored, and finally by drawing lots if necessary. The four best third-placed teams in this tournament were Argentina, Belgium, Italy, and the United States.
In the round of 16, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Nigeria, Argentina, and Mexico advanced to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, Brazil defeated the Netherlands 3-2, Germany defeated Bulgaria 2-1, Italy defeated Spain 2-1, and Argentina defeated Mexico 3-1. In the semifinals, Brazil defeated Sweden 1-0, and Italy defeated Bulgaria 2-1.
In the final, held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, Brazil and Italy drew 0-0 after extra time. Brazil won the subsequent penalty shootout 3-2, with Roberto Baggio of Italy famously missing the decisive penalty.
CHAMPION: BRAZIL
The 1994 World Cup is remembered for its high-scoring matches, with an average of 2.71 goals per game, and for being the first World Cup final to be decided by a penalty shootout. It also had the highest average attendance in World Cup history, with nearly 69,000 spectators per match. The tournament marked the emergence of the United States as a potential host for major international tournaments and led to the establishment of Major League Soccer.
TOP SCORER: OLEG SALENKO - RUSSIA
TOP SCORER: HRISTO STOICKOV
1994 WORLD CUP FINAL
1998 WORLD CUP
1998 WORLD CUP FRANCE
The 1998 FIFA World Cup took place in France from June 10 to July 12. This was the 16th FIFA World Cup and the second time France hosted the tournament after 1938. France won the tournament, defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final. This was France's first World Cup title.
The 1998 World Cup was the first to feature 32 teams, divided into eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group advanced to the round of 16. Here's a breakdown of each group:
Group A
Teams: Brazil, Scotland, Morocco, Norway
Brazil and Norway advanced to the Round of 16.
Group B
Teams: Italy, Chile, Cameroon, Austria
Italy and Chile advanced to the Round of 16.
Group C
Teams: France, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Denmark
France and Denmark advanced to the Round of 16.
Group D
Teams: Spain, Nigeria, Paraguay, Bulgaria
Nigeria and Paraguay advanced to the Round of 16.
Group E
Teams: Netherlands, Belgium, South Korea, Mexico
Netherlands and Mexico advanced to the Round of 16.
Group F
Teams: Germany, United States, Yugoslavia, Iran
Germany and Yugoslavia advanced to the Round of 16.
Group G
Teams: Romania, England, Colombia, Tunisia
Romania and England advanced to the Round of 16.
Group H
Teams: Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan
Argentina and Croatia advanced to the Round of 16.
The top two teams from each group advanced to the Round of 16, where the tournament became a knockout competition. The teams were ranked based on points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw), then goal difference, then goals scored, and finally the drawing of lots if necessary.
In the round of 16, Brazil, France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Argentina, Denmark, and Croatia advanced to the quarterfinals. In the quarter finals, Brazil defeated Denmark 3-2, France defeated Italy on penalties after a 0-0 draw, Netherlands defeated Argentina on penalties after a 2-2 draw, and Croatia defeated Germany 3-0. In the semifinals, Brazil defeated Netherlands on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and France defeated Croatia 2-1.
In the final, held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France defeated Brazil 3-0, with two goals from Zinedine Zidane and one from Emmanuel Petit.
CHAMPION: FRANCE
The 1998 World Cup is remembered for the success of the host nation, France, and for the performance of Croatia, who finished third in their first World Cup appearance. The tournament also saw the emergence of new footballing nations, with Jamaica, Japan, and South Africa making their World Cup debuts. 
TOP SCORER: DAVOR SUKER
1998 WORLD CUP FINAL
We have come to the end of another article full of history, continue to experience the World Cup adventure with us, until we see you in our next article, goodbye.
