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The day started badly for me in Warsaw, where I had to be hospitalized for a kidney stone and did not really know if I would get to watch what I was sure was going to be a historic occasion. This being the case when ever Argentina and Brazil played each other yet these games took on an even bigger importance whenever they were held in a world cup. Brazil and Argentina having played each other three times before Italia 90 with Brazil having gotten the best of Argentina in 74 by a score of 2-1 while in 82; they again prevailed by 3-1. Argentina had managed a draw in Argentina 78 in what for the most part was an ill tempered affair yet it had been Argentina in that particular world cup who went on to win their first title.

 

As for Italia 90, Brazil had made it to the second round with 3 relatively easy but uninspiring victories over Sweden, Costa Rica and Scotland yet they were still a team to be respected despite not having really impressed in the tournament up and till that point. Argentina, for its part got off to a rocky start by losing 1-0 to Cameroon yet looking back; this was not such a bad result as it seemed at the time. Cameroon even going on to the quarterfinals of this world cup and coming ever so close to becoming the first African nation to get in to the semifinals of a world cup. Argentina’s second game would come against the Soviet Union whom they would beat by 2-0 yet not without a controversial hand by Maradona which just might have saved Argentina from going down by 1-0. Argentina however prevailed in this match and went on to get a hard earned draw against Romania and Hagi. Hagi being the one who was being hailed as the Romanian Maradona.

 

All was set for what was bound to be not only a South American classic but one of world cup football. As Argentina and Brazil had 5 world cup titles between the two of them yet to a certain extent for South America this was not a very good situation. It being a sure thing that at least one of these two powerful teams would qualify to the next round but it was also guaranteed that one of them would be eliminated which was something I cherished; as it would be one less South American team for Italy to have to contend with.

 

As for Maradona, he was playing with an ankle which was reported to have been so swollen that it resembled an apple yet to be honest; I had no idea of this at the time. Naturally, I was expecting Maradona to be closely marked by Brazil as he had been by Germany in the last world cup. It being a case that Brazil would also resort to all sorts of tactics, fair or otherwise to stop Maradona; as this more often than not was what teams were forced to do when facing Maradona.

 

I, for my part was glad to find out that the pains which had led to my having to be taken to hospital were not of the sort which would kill me though they had been excruciating. All of which meaning that I would not need to be operated on and could watch the Argentina Vs. Brazil which I was sure was one whose memory would last for a long time to come. I however was told that I would have to spend the night at the hospital which meant that I had to find another over night patient with a TV set. This being precisely what I found when a kind elderly gentleman did not mind sharing his small yet color television set with those of us less fortunate than himself.

 

Another factor which I am reminded of when I think of this game is how it was played in Turin’s Stadio Delle Alpi and though I had no way of knowing it at the time; my daughter’s godfather was in attendance. This however is another story as I did not even know who he was at the time yet he did tell me that the fouls committed against Maradona in this game were even worse or at least in his opinion; than they looked on TV.

 

The game started and when it did, it was such a relieve that I was not seriously ill and would not miss this one which was bound to be one which no football fan should ever want to miss. I, not really caring who won but just wanting to see a great game in a relaxed way which would allow me to focus on the details of the game. This as opposed to putting all my hopes on somebody winning. This being what I did and still do whenever I watch a game by either Italy or AC Milan .

 

The game started and from the beginning, it was clear that Brazil would be attacking while Argentina would be playing on the counter attack. It in fact being Brazil who had the first scoring chance of the game when Careca forced Argentina’s goalkeeper, Goycochea to make a fine though not overly difficult save with his leg. It was also clear from the start that Brazil was not going to let Maradona have the freedom which would only mean trouble for Brazil. Maradona being a player who was dangerous to say the least if given not only space but time yet Brazil were not about to concede either. Maradona being fouled almost at the very start of the game by Dunga, who not content to kick at Maradona also felt the need to grab on to his shirt in what was clearly an attempt to bring the player down; as opposed to just taking the ball from him.

 

There are many things which happen on the field of play. Some of which have no greater importance than just being a nice play while others perhaps do not even have such significance yet it was on a play in which the ball stopped that Maradona did one of those things. Maradona sent the ball back to his goalkeeper from midfield by dropping it with his hands and kicking it yet did so with such accuracy that Goycochea did not even have to move to get the ball. Maradona’s pass being delivered which such precision as to really make one think of how easy it was for him to do just about anything. Maradona apparently not having any where near as bad a tournament as some were claiming, who in their desire to criticize had only noticed that he had not scored yet failed to report on all the vicious fouls he had suffered and his swollen ankle. Naturally ignoring all the times he had put defenses in desperate situations.

 

Brazil however was the team which went forward and it was a corner which brought them ever so close to scoring. It being Rocha who just barely did not connect with a dangerous swerving ball yet Brazil did not score which was what counted. The game was shaping up to be another classic and though Argentina did not attack as much. It was clear that Maradona was having a good game though his ankle was clearly giving him problems which perhaps made it hard for him to avoid tackles the way he had in Mexico 86.

 

Brazil however for the most part had Argentina under control as it was through fouls that they were able to control Maradona. This despite the rest of their players not being able to generate much in the way of offense. It being Dunga who got off a good header which hit Argentina’s goal post only to bounce away yet so close had it been but then again as I always say “hitting the post is not bad luck but simply missing the target; by little but none the less not being on target”. The game was not disappointing and though no goals had been scored, the emotions and tensions of the round of 16 were present as there would be no tomorrow for the loser. This being clear to all of us who were sitting and watching this game in the hospital with nothing in common but being ill in the same place. All of us also united by our love for the sport of football and though no Argentines or Brazilians were among us; we still watched it with all our desires to see a great game.

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Argentina did not really come close to scoring in the first half though in all fairness, Maradona had been brutally fouled on many occasions; perhaps to let him know what Brazilians were capable of when not being able to stop him in a fashion allowed by the rules. Alemao, even forgetting that Maradona was his teammate at Napoli as he kicked Maradona’s ankle. This after Maradona had cleanly taken the ball away from him. This foul making me see that Brazil was desperate to stop Maradona before he got to do anything which might be threatening. As for those around me, it was clear that they too felt that this foul should have earned Alemao a yellow card which was not given because play was allowed to go on since Argentina had not lost the ball.

 

Maradona however had his moment in the first half when he found Caniggia on the wing yet this play and pass were nullified due to an off-sides which clearly was nonexistent. Caniggia perhaps might have scored yet was denied the opportunity by a line judge; who was too quick to raise his flag. It being such calls which led to rule changes being made for the next world cup as well as to FIFA’s asking referees not to signal off-sides unless they were completely sure. The first half however ended with perhaps Brazil dominating yet not anywhere closer to victory than Argentina. As the game was Brazil vs. Maradona with Argentina waiting for Maradona to have a moment of brilliance like he had had in 86 while Brazil simply waited for a break through.

 

It was also during the half that all of us exchanged views on the game with some opinions being that Brazil could take it in the second half while others maintained that Argentina; despite everything would win. All of which leading to friendly conversation between fans of the game and most interesting comments between people, who in a way had been brought closer by the game of football.

 

The second half started and once again, Brazil managed to hit the goal post yet unlike in the first half; this time did so twice on the same play yet again did not manage to score. It being a Careca center which Goycochea misjudged and almost put in the back of his own net though fortunately for him and Argentina, Careca’s center only found the inside of the post to come back out for a shot by Alemao which caught the outside of the post. Of course, the ball had hit the post twice yet this had been on the same play which counts as one scoring opportunity. This given the fact that if the first shot had gone in then the second one could not have come.

 

Argentina however had a clear chance of their own when Troglio cleared a ball which went direct to Maradona, who tried to go around Brazil’s Galvao by passing the ball to himself which would have left him with a clear run at Brazil’s goal. Galvao however seeing the eminent danger committed a brutal obstruction foul by getting right in Maradona’s way to take him down in what today would have been a red card since Galvao was the last player. Galvao in fact, getting a yellow card to show that though Brazil had most of the opportunities, it was Maradona; who under no stretch of the imagination could be ignored along with the danger he presented to the Brazilian goal.

 

Maradona was basically being fouled all over the place and would end the game being fouled 9 times, most of which were cynical tackles or drag downs by the Brazilians yet Maradona endured without once complaining. This in contrast to Pele, who in 1966 was fouled once by Portugal and did nothing but moan for the next four years as to how badly he had been treated. This in spite of not really being kicked but tripped by a player going for the ball twice on the same play.

 

As for Brazil, they had been the more active team in the first half but their vitality along with their control of the game had faded. As perhaps such a tempo was not something they were capable of maintaining for 90 minutes. It being Argentina who slowly started to get some plays going of their own on offense which came when Calderon got in to the penalty box with some danger though Brazil’s defense was up to the task of stopping him. Some even seeing a penalty on the play though in all fairness; all had been fair or at least as far as that particular play was concerned.

 

Brazil, all in all was a good team and perhaps even a great one as with players like Alemao, Careca, Muller, Dunga, Taffarell, Branco; what else could they be yet this was the modern game of football in which all teams were strong and players of quality no longer guaranteed victory. Brazil like Germany always being strong and solid even with teams that for their standards are not great. It being a case that their name alone can make a team lose confidence and this team was no exception. I, for my part never having seen a Brazilian team which I would call weak though undoubtedly some had been stronger than others yet even when they did not play at their best; they were still capable of finishing in the top four like they had done in Germany 74.

 

Argentina, for its part was the defending world champion and with Maradona still under 30, was always a threat to go all the way. Specially since Caniggia was having a good world cup while Burrucha was playing up to the same standard he had in Mexico 86. The game however was a tight affair with few real chances coming though enough that it was clear that a goal could come at any moment.

 

Maradona had made history in the previous world cup on so many occasions and we all knew that it could happen again. This being what perhaps fans all over the world were waiting for or at least those who enjoyed seeing Maradona do what only he could do. This moment would come and it definitely was one which I will never forget. It really started when the camera focused on a Brazilian player who was warming up to come in to the match. It being this player who was caught on camera running in place yet just then the camera went back to Maradona and this is how he made history again.

 

Maradona had the ball in the center circle on Argentina’s side of the field when he started another run at Brazil’s goal, first getting away from one player; who clearly failed to make the initial foul or tackle. It being then that Maradona went past the midfield with a heedful of steam and in control of the ball which is the last thing any team ever wants. Maradona being as dangerous to an opposing goal in this situation as an escaped tiger is to human life in the zoo. It being then that Alemao tried to catch up to Maradona yet failed to even get close to the ball while Maradona easily passed his attempt at bringing him down.

 

Maradona was still going strong and this was the last thing one ever wants unless one is on his team yet Brazil had defenders, who when faced with this emergency; all ran to contain the eminent threat which was coming. It seeming as if no other player mattered but Maradona, whom they would take down through a foul which is what Dunga attempted to do as Maradona moved forward. It being Dunga, who without any other method available to him, started pulling Maradona down as he was going past him yet a foul was not called; as Maradona continued going forward. Maradona however was going down and just as he was about to hit the ground; managed a perfect pass which he sent out to Caniggia. Maradona’s pass being made with his right foot as opposed to his left which is his preferred yet despite this, his pass could not have been any more on the money to Caniggia; who was not going to squander this golden opportunity. It being Cannigia, who rounded Taffarel and scored for Argentina; to put them ahead in the score board by 1-0.

 

It had been a great play by Maradona yet what made it more so was the fact that he was being pulled down as he made the pass yet rather than send a mediocre pass; managed to filter the ball between two Brazilian defenders on to Cannigia. Cannigia not even having to speed up or slow down his run to get to the ball which was just perfect for him to score on. This after Maradona had pulled Brazil’s four defenders to him. I later would go on to hear the Brazilian commentator on Youtube on this play; who said something like this “Brazil played 80 minutes of attack football when Maradona suddenly solves the game and unbalances play in Argentina’s favor”, “that is why he is Maradona and can win games like this!”.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL2YxkBUBhc&feature=related

 

The Brazilian commentator in this video showing real sportsmanship in recognizing that all personal feelings aside; Maradona had really done something outstanding. This while the envious Pele with whom he was commenting the game with, realized how this incredible play by Maradona would only add more fuel to the argument that the best all time player was not himself but the man; who despite being fouled so many times had conquered Brazil. Maradona in a way reminding me of a boxer who had been knocked down several times only to come back in the last round to deliver a knock out punch to win the bout. It almost serving as a lesson to other teams that when Maradona is at his best; one can only control him for so long even with fouls before he finally breaks the game open.

 

Brazil was giving Maradona more space; as they had to go forward and get the equalizer or else there would be no more world cup. It not really making any difference if they lost by 1 goal or many more. As for Brazil the choice was to score or be eliminated. Brazil had been playing a game of controlling Maradona while not risking a lot by going forward with too many players which in all truth was not a bad system. It almost having worked yet now it was time to throw caution to the wind.

 

Argentina’s Basualdo however broke Brazil’s offside trap with a nifty move which sent him on a run toward Brazil’s goal which would have clinched it for Argentina. It however was Brazil’s Ricardo who was forced to take Basualdo down from behind in a play which clearly did not hold any ill intensions but to save his goal yet he had fouled from behind which left the referee with little option but to show him the red card.

 

A dangerous free kick however did come for Argentina on this play which Maradona came ever so close to scoring on and probably would have, had it not been for a fine save by Taffarel; who without much room for doubt is one of the finest Brazilian goalkeepers I have ever seen. Brazil was in a difficult situation because now they could not dedicate so much time to stopping Maradona; as they had to go forward to get the equalizer. This giving Maradona some space that he might use to put more distance between Argentina and Brazil yet this was a chance Brazil simply had to take. Maradona would even draw another nasty foul from Georgihno before the end of the game while Brazil made weak attempts at going forward.

 

As for those around me, the atmosphere was tense as we waited for the final whistle yet all of us were pretty much sure that Argentina was not going to be denied on that day. Some believing that Brazil was the team which should have been winning while I saw justice and though Argentina had not hit the post on two plays; they had had their chances which were taken away from them by cynical fouls. As for Brazil, they had had clear scoring chances but then again if one really thinks about it; they really only had those two which hit the post. Argentina having limited them to holding on to the ball with little if any real danger.

 

Argentina went on to win and as soon as the game ended, I felt a horrible sensation come over me that Italy would have to play Argentina in the semifinal and just as Maradona had done this to Brazil; he could do the same to Italy. I however hoped that would not happen yet that was another game. As for this one, it ended with a 1-0 victory for Argentina which I consider to have been one of the greatest displays by a single player. It being Maradona, who through out the game was fouled yet found the maturity to wait his turn and not think of retaliations in ways which might have earned him a red card.

 

In conclusion, I would say that this game was a clear example of why Maradona was the great player he was. Maradona having to endure so much and perhaps was not even at his best given his ankle yet despite this managed to do what had to be done; when it had to be done. As for Argentina, they went on to play the winner of the match between Spain and Yugoslavia in the quarterfinals.

 

As an after thought I would say that Argentina and Brazil, despite being two of the world’s top football nations, presented teams which definitely were not the best either of them had ever fielded with neither of them playing as well they could have. This in a game which will probably only be remembered for Maradona’s excellent pass and a water bottle which was allegedly laced with sedatives.