5, July 1982 – A day to honour

A tribute to two outstanding football-playing nations, Italy and Brazil. Italy’s absence at this global championship in Qatar will be sorely felt – Namo magazine.

A lock

It was either a day of victory or tragedy for two countries that are prominent in international soccer. One nation is fighting tooth and nail to win, while the other must win or draw to go to the quarterfinals. The enthralling Brazil vs. The Italy encounter was set to start at 5.15 p.m. on July 5, 1982, at the Estadio Sarria in Barcelona.

It would be an intense 90-minute thriller for viewers in Italy, Brazil, and the rest of the world. Dino Zoff, a veteran goalie for Italy, and Socrates, a soccer genius for Brazil, were the two teams’ captains.

“Did the result of the game alter the traditional playing style of one nation? Coaches would pay closer attention to the game throughout the world while journalists and commentators will provide analyses and comments”.

Italy only just made it beyond the first round after three straight draws.  Their competitors, Brazil, had effectively won every game by using an overall offensive approach. Critics asserted that Socrates’s team was only second best to the star studded 1970 Brazilian world cup team.

90 minute spectacle

Assistant referee Chan Tam Sun of Hong Kong and Assistant referee Bogdan Dotschev of Bulgaria provided assistance to Israeli referee Abraham Klein. The forty thousand fans cheered as the game got underway.

Five minutes into the game, Paulo Rossi, who was unmarked, received a fantastic high, long cross from Antonio Cabrini, who had come sprinting down the left flank. Rossi’s header went into the far side of the net, out of the Brazilian goalkeeper’s reach. Italy upsets Brazil 1-0. 

The Brazilian defenders were easily unsettled by the Italians. A counterattack almost followed immediately, but to the horror of his teammates and fans, forward Serginho sent the ball well wide of 10 – yards from the Italian goal. Brazil launched numerous assaults in an effort to score an equaliser. Their big moment came just close to 12 – minutes, when Socrates and Zico engaged on one of the tournament’s best passing displays. The kick from Socrates whistled past the Italian goalkeeper like a rocket and embraced the net. Brazil 1 vs. Italy 1.

The tempo of the game picked up. Brazilians were waging war. Their defenders and midfielders started moving forward in support of the strikers.  Italy maintained their composure, as a result pressure began to build inside the Brazilian defence, leading to errors. Italian forward Rossi was in the right place at the right time and seized the chance to intercept a poor pass from Brazilian midfielder Cerezo and smashed it past advancing goalkeeper Waldir Peres. Brazil 1. Italy 2, the halftime break followed.

For the first time since the competition started, Brazil had been put to the test. In place of Italy’s 5-2-3 formation, Brazil adopted 4-2-2-2 formation. Brazil’s attacks, led by Eder, Serginho, Zico, Socrates and Falcao had been held back strongly by the tuff and disciplined Italian defence comprising Collovati, Bergomi, Sciera, Gentile and Cabrini. The Italian defence created very little space for the Brazilian strikers. Zico’s movements almost came to a halt due to Claudio Gentile’s tight marking. One occasion he went beyond, and was shown the yellow card for a rough tackle. Defender Gentile was known to be a strong, hard tackler and had succeeded in keeping Diego Maradona of Argentina at bay in the previous game.

Despite their skill and expertise, any squad might feel “on edge” during a soccer match on a world cup-illuminating platform. Particularly when the loser must board the subsequent journey home. On that day in Barcelona, millions of soccer fans witnessed the tenacity, skills, and strengths of two great soccer-playing giants.Second half commenced on this classic encounter, caught up speed and the Brazilian’s were on the move to even the scores. Falcao blasted the second goal with his left foot from a pass he received from Zico, on the 68 – minute to make Italy 2 – Brazil 2. It was a well-controlled shot and the Italian goalkeeper had no chance of stopping it. What a goal it was! Despite a draw that would suffice qualification for the quarterfinals, Brazil stepped up their attacking run looking for the winner. But why?

Paulo Rossi scored three goals, which sealed the fate of Brazil.

For Brazil, this was nothing new. Their famed brand of football had been offensive. They declined to play defence in order to settle for a draw. When coach Tele Santana replaced a midfielder, he may have had different plans in mind, but the team on the pitch persisted in its pursuit of the win. The Brazilian defence was caught off – guard once again in the 74- minute when a corner was not cleared, and Rossi, who was in the penalty area, took advantage of the opportunity to score the winning goal. With 15 – minutes to the final whistle, Brazilian world cup dream was sealed. Brazil 2 – Italy 3.

Brazilian defence had failed again at a crucial time. Italy had fought as never before and exploited their opponent’s mistakes. Paulo Rossi, the dazzling striker who was banned for two years previously for match fixing in the Italian league was the sensation for Italy. He had single handedly torn the Brazilian defence apart, scoring three goals. 

Dino Zoff’s men went on to beat Poland in the semifinals, then Germany in the finals to bring the trophy home for the third time. The 1982 world cup was one of the best tournaments the world has ever witnessed. Well done Spain! Future-focused lessons

Brazil’s attacking style had come under criticism. Was defence never part of Brazil’s football strategy?  Why didn’t the Brazilians hold for a draw when the scores were tied? In the years following 1982, were they compelled to modify their attacking play?Socrates once recalled how Tele Santana spoke to the team after the match. He told his players that he was proud of them, they had truly represented their country, but it was not their destiny to win that World Cup. “We gave it our best shot,” he concluded. “The whole world was enchanted by you. Be aware of that.”