Forgotten Gems: Brazil v France (Mexico 1986)

In the heat of Guadalajara, two wonderful attack-minded teams played out a World Cup classic.

We continue to look at some excellent games of football from the past that sometimes go under the radar or are overshadowed by other events. With the World Cup just over a year away, initial matches will be from the history of the tournament, but may at times expand into other areas.

Forgotten Gems: Brazil v France (Mexico 1986) - Quarter Final

The Background

This match is probably not forgotten by many in the sense that it stands as still perhaps one of the best examples of open and free-spirited football in the tournament’s history. However, I feel that it warrants its place on the list as it is most definitely overlooked by a younger generation of football fans who focus their attention purely on the modern history of the game without paying much attention at all to what came before.

Going into the 1986 World Cup, Brazil were at the beginning of a stage of change. They still had some wonderful and skilful players such as Socrates and Zico but they were certainly not looked upon as quite as free flowing as their magnificent 1982 team. That side is still looked upon now as one of the greatest not to win the tournament after succumbing to an Italy side in one of the best ever World Cup matches, one that has had novels written about it just on its own merits.

Coach Tele Santana had decided to beef up his team somewhat, adding some more defensively capable midfielders to provide more protection for his defence whilst the attackers were still free to move forward and express themselves. It also meant that full backs and even defenders could charge forwards at times, knowing that they would be covered. Being more easily able to win the ball back also allowed for devastating counter attacks which would be showcased here in Guadalajara.

European football had not quite opened its doors fully to a huge influx of foreign players at this point so many of the Brazilians still plied their trade on their home continent. This made them a team that fans felt personally attached to and made them more relatable. Stars were lauded their supporters were determined that any Brazilian team should always be one of the favourites to win a World Cup.

A problem on this occasion though was that many of their star players were nearing the end of their careers. Zico, Falcao and Socrates had all returned to Brazil after time in Europe to prepare for the World Cup but all had suffered injuries of varying degrees. This, coupled with their age, meant that Socrates was actually the only one of the three to begin this match.

France were the reigning European champions and were also looking for redemption after a harsh exit at the 1982 World Cup, in their case at the hands of West Germany. The match had a little bit of everything, including one of the biggest injustices in World Cup history when German keeper Harald Schumacher completely took out France’s Patrick Battiston, knocking him out cold and dislodging two of his teeth in the process, and not even a foul was given, let alone a sending off. Schumacher then went on to make two saves in the eventual penalty shootout which led to the French defeat.

Understandably the French were outraged, but channeled their rage into winning the 1984 European Championships on home soil, with Michel Platini being the undoubted star of an incredibly talented team. Platini made up part of the vaunted French carre magique (magic square) midfield, alongside Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse and Luis Fernandez.

It was a fantastic creative unit, adeptly supported by full backs Manuel Amoros and Thirrry Tusseau. What they perhaps lacked was a striker of real quality to finish chances created off. Future star Jean-Pierre Papin was not quite at the stage of his career to assert himself just yet so much of the goalscoring burden fell upon Platini.

France had started the tournament fairly slowly, scraping past Canada 1-0 before drawing 1-1 with the Soviet Union. However, a 3-0 win in their final group game against Hungary gave them some momentum before they faced defending champions Italy in the Last 16. France won 2-0, scoring through Platini and Stopyra and defensively nullifying any Italian attacks.

Brazil had been consistently efficient through the tournament to this point. They had seen off both Spain and Algeria by a score of 1-0 before beating Northern Ireland 3-0 in their final group game. They then went one better against Poland in the Last 16, winning 4-0 while promising striker Careca scored his fourth of the tournament.

This all set up a mouthwatering clash in the searing Guadalajara heat. A clash of two wonderful football generations, both having their last chance to win football’s biggest prize for their nation. It promised a feast of attack-minded football and didn’t disappoint.

The Match

First Half

The clash with the midfields testing each other out with passing moves. Players from both sides displayed high pressing football which the crowd were loving. France began to switch the ball and try to find intricate through passes before Amoros had the first real attempt of the match witha long shot that flew just wide after around 3 minutes.

Lots of quick passing and wonderful movement continued to enthral the supporters in the stadium and the viewers at home. Both teams seemed determined to attack and trying to find spaces. The crowd were not keen on any back passing and let the players know this. In all fairness, there wasn’t much of it happening.

After 12 minutes, Brazil’s Careca found some space and shot from distance but he possibly should have played teammate Muller in instead. Socrates then should have done better on 14 minutes when put through by Careca but Bats saved well. The pace of the game, particularly in attacking areas was enthralling.

Brazil made the breakthrough on 16 minutes after some wonderful one touch passing between Muller and Junior. The latter then slipped it through to Careca who fired home. It was a wonderful passing team goal that was a great example of the action that had been on display.

After 25 minutes France’s switches of play found Amoros down the right who whipped the ball across but goalkeeper Carlos got to it just before Rocheteau. This should have served as a warning of things to come from Brazil.

Some more wonderful one touch football almost set Stopyra through after half an hour but it was cut out at the last second. Very soon after, Brazil almost doubled their lead when Careca was sent away down the left. He then drove into the box and squared for Muller but from the angle he could only hit the post.

The back and forth nature of the game continued. Brazil were soaking up the French attacks and then countering at speed. The game was on a knife edge. It really was end to end and high paced.

In the 41st minute, the little magician Giresse played the ball out wide to Rocheteau who cut it across the box like Amoros had previously. This time a deflection took it away from Stopyra in the middle but Platini was waiting at the back post to put the ball in. France were level and the half ended for the players to take a well earned rest.

Second Half

The game continued in the same vein after the break, both teams trying to create with slick passing moves. It remained wide open.

Careca was taken down by Bossis on the wide left edge of the box and a free kick was awarded. Socrates curled the ball in towards far corner but Bats got a hand to tip wide.

France had half chances through Rocheteau and Stopyra but the game remained level. Both sides continued to press without any real chances of note arising. What remained impressive though was the pace of the game. France and Brazil both had players making weaving runs in between quick passing spells.

Not long after the hour mark, Tigana burst through but couldn’t chip it around Carlos and less than a minute later Junior shot for Brazil but Bats was able to parry. It was breathless stuff and showed no signs of slowing down despite the heat.

On 70 minutes Careca hit the bar with a header following a wonderful whipped cross from Josimar. This was the second time that they had hit the woodwork and they would have felt unfortunate not to be ahead. Only a minute later, the great Zico replaced Muller, much to the joy of the crowd. Could he make the difference?

In the 74th minute, Brazil were awarded a penalty after a lung bursting run from Branco, one of many, saw him put through in the box by Zico only for Bats to bring him down as he rounded him. Zico stepped up to take it but it was hit at a perfect height for Bats, even though it was to his left, and the keeper parried it away before the rebound was cleared.

France had a chance to punish Brazil soon after when Bossis hit a powerful drive but Carlos palmed it wide. It was clear that both teams were keen to find a winner and avoid an extra half hour.

It was only in the last 10 minutes that the pace of the game perhaps slowed a little although it was still fairly end to end. Careca should have done better when he burst through in the 82nd minute and only had to prod past Bats but he failed to make proper contact with the ball. Zico then had a free header from six yards out after a cross from Josimar but again Bats saved it. It should have been over at that point.

France had some chances of their own too but the final ball just wouldn’t fall for them and extra time was to be played after all.

Extra Time

Understandably in the extra period, build up play began to slow somewhat but there were still periods of wonderful passing football and attempts at deft through balls or ones over the top.

Five minutes in, Rocheteau dribbled all the way through the Brazilian defence before the hulking Julio Cesar stretched out a leg to block his shot. It was a wonderful snapshot of how the game had gone, brilliant attacking flair against tough defensive discipline. Both defences did incredibly well throughout to hold their shape and block attacks.

Just before half time, Bats had to make a double save, firstly from a Socrates header and then again when Branco ran forward from the rebound and tried to drive it across. Both teams were still giving it everything to try and reach the semi final before a shootout was necessary.

Into the second period the game finally became more broken but both teams still found opportunities to press and make attempts. On one such occasion, Alemao shot towards goal before Bats saved. From the resulting corner France regained control and broke with the ball finding its way to Bellone who was bearing down on goal with only Carlos to beat.

The keeper rushed out of his box and tried to take down the attacker as he rounded him. There were immediate echoes of Schumacher against Battiston four years previously. Carlos didn’t succeed in completely taking Bellone out, but did do enough to take the forward away from goal. Inexplicably, just like in 1982, the referee allowed play to go on and Socrates should have actually scored for Brazil as they broke straight back up the pitch again but missed the ball completely with the goal at his mercy.

It was an incredible passage of play but how Carlos stayed on the pitch, only the referee would know. France we’re desperately unlucky to have a similar situation happen to them in two consecutive World Cups. There were no other clear chances and penalties would decide it. France would need to hope that lick would be on their side this time.

Penalties

Brazil were up first and Socrates stepped forward and tried to put it to the right of Bats. However, like Zico’s penalty in normal time, it was too close to the keeper who batted it away.

Stopyra stepped up for France, took a long run up and smashed it down the middle and into the net. France had the advantage after the first round of kicks.

Alemao stepped up for Brazil and coolly slotted into the corner to make it 1-1. Amoros was next for France, took a straight run up and placed it around the Carlos’s dive to the right to give France their advantage back.

Zico, who’d missed earlier, showed great bravery when he stepped up again. This time he made no mistake and smashed it down the middle. Another retribution story then took place as

Bellone got his revenge on Carlos after his penalty was smashed against the post but then hit the keeper in the back of the head and went in off him. The goal was allowed by the referee and France had a 3-2 lead.

Branco was up next for Brazil. He was delayed by the referee being picky about the spotting of the ball which could have thrown him off. However he maintained calm and smashed it home.

French talisman Platini stepped up next. If there was anyone the French felt they could have depended on it was their great star. In these situations though, pressure can often be too great and Platini ballooned his strike high and wide. It was an awful penalty and Brazil were back level again.

Centre half Julio Cesar stepped up for Brazil’s final penalty. He had been tremendous during the game and now had the chance to put his country in the lead and put all the pressure on France. His penalty was strong but a little too wide and he could only hit the post. France now had a chance to win it and Luis Fernandez stepped up. With unerring cool he slotted the ball into the corner, sending Carlos the wrong way and achieving redemption for France after the exit in the previous World Cup.

It was the end of a match that had truly been a spectacle and a showcase for two wonderful footballing sides. Penalty shootouts are always a harsh way for someone to lose but Brazil had chances to achieve victory during the match itself which they did not take.

The Aftermath

Perhaps understandably, Brazil fans and media looked for scapegoats in the aftermath. Supporters feel that they should always be good enough to win and when they don’t, there will always be a sense of failure. Defender Junior conceded ‘Our generation just weren’t meant to be champions.’ Zico and Socrates had both been fantastic servants for their country but never played for Brazil again.

France went on to face more heartbreak against West Germany. The match was not full of the same dramatic action as in Brazil four years previously and, perhaps spent by their efforts in Guadalajara, they succumbed 2-0. They would defeat Belgium in the third place playoff but then wouldn’t qualify for another World Cup in 1998. That is a story for another time though.

The Teams

France (4-4-2)

Bats - Amoros, Battiston, Bossis, Tusseau - Tigana, Giresse, Fernandez, Platini - Rocheteau, Stopyra

Subs: Ferreri, Bellone

Manager: Henri Michel

Brazil (5-3-2)

Carlos - Branco, Edinho, Josimar, Julio Cesar, Junior - Alemao, Enzo, Socrates - Careca, Muller

Subs: Zico, Silas

Manager: Tele Santana

The Goals

18’ Careca - Assist: Junior 1-0

41’ Platini - Assist: Rocheteau 1-1