There are two intriguing contests in store this week, featuring four countries with limited experience at this stage of the World Cup. For the first time in the tournament’s history, none of Brazil, Argentina or Germany have made it to the final four. For Belgium and Croatia, getting beyond this stage would represent uncharted territory.
The World Cup semi-finals have witnessed all sorts over the years. Here are four of the best ever, including plenty of goals, drama, red cards and penalties.
Brazil 4-2 Chile, 1962
The 1962 World Cup quickly developed a reputation for a tempestuous atmosphere between players and several violent incidents, most notably in the notorious ‘Battle of Santiago’, as Italy were beaten by the hosts Chile in a bad-tempered game. Their semi-final with Brazil was no different, featuring two red cards, as well as six goals.
Deprived of Pele from the third group match onwards because of injury, Garrincha came to the fore for Brazil. Short and stocky, he was a superb dribbler who took the tournament by storm, finishing as best player and joint-top scorer. He put Brazil 2-0 ahead in the semi-final, finding the top corner from outside the area and then heading in his second from a corner.
Chile responded through Jorge Toro’s free-kick before Vava restored Brazil’s two-goal advantage. A Leonel Sanchez penalty temporarily closed the gap again but Vava’s header 12 minutes from the end sealed victory. As timewasting tactics took hold late on, Honorino Landa and Garrincha were dismissed for off-the-ball incidents, reducing both sides to ten men.
Italy 4-3 West Germany, 1970
This tense meeting between two of world football’s most successful countries became known as ‘the Game of the Century’ for the high-quality play and dramatic intrigue it produced. Mexico’s Azteca Stadium was the scene for a thrilling spectacle watched by more than 100,000 fans.
Remarkably, only two of the seven goals were scored inside 90 minutes as momentum swung one way and then the other with increasing ferocity. Italy struck first through Roberto Boninsegna and held the lead until Karl-Heinz Schnellinger’s equaliser moments from the final whistle to take the game into extra time.
West Germany went in front as Gerd Muller pounced on a defensive mistake but two quick-fire goals soon had the Italians ahead again. After Muller equalised in the second half of extra time, Gianni Rivera clinched the win less than a minute later, sidefooting in a low cross to spark jubilant celebrations.
West Germany 3-3 France, 1982
Twelve years on from their exploits in Mexico, West Germany were involved in another classic semi-final. This time they prevailed on penalties after pegging back France, who raced ahead in another goal-filled period of extra time. Played in sweltering conditions in Seville, the match is also remembered for Harald Schumacher’s wild challenge on Patrick Battiston.
Pierre Littbarski fired home the opener for West Germany after 17 minutes but French captain Michael Platini coolly equalised from the penalty spot. The game’s most controversial moment arrived in the second half when Battiston flicked a shot past Schumacher, and wide of the post, as the advancing goalkeeper clattered into him. The substitute had to be stretchered off having lost two teeth and cracked three ribs.
The already lively atmosphere ramped up even further as a result. Both sides went close in normal time but it was Marius Tresor’s volley and Alain Giresse’s fierce shot that had France 3-1 up with just eight minutes of extra time played. A remarkable recovery ensued, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stabbing in from close range before Klaus Fischer’s overhead kick brought West Germany back on level terms. They won the penalty shoot-out 5-4, with Maxime Bossis missing the decisive one.
France 2-1 Croatia, 1998
Having failed to qualify for two World Cups in a row, France were back as hosts in 1998. Their run to the semi-finals, seeing off Paraguay in extra time and Italy on penalties, had been anything but smooth, and so it proved against a spirited Croatia side.
Despite creating the most chances in the first half, they were kept at bay by Drazen Ladic. Just after the restart, Croatia stole in to score. Davor Suker was played through by a clever reverse pass from Aljosa Asanovic and finished well. Their lead didn’t last though, as Lilian Thuram unexpectedly came to the fore. The full-back only ever scored two goals for his country in 142 appearances, and both came in this one match.
First he forced a mistake and linked up with Youri Djorkaeff to find the net, and then curled the ball brilliantly into the far corner from outside the area to put France 2-1 up. Another surprise was to come as Slaven Bilic collapsed to the floor after an altercation with Laurent Blanc and the French centre back was sent off, meaning he’d miss the final.
Italy 2-0 Germany, 2006
Goalless after 90 minutes, this game was anything but dull. It was played with great pace and intensity as both sides created plenty of chances but were simply unable to score. Germany were battling against not just their opponents, but the weight of history that surrounded them, having not beaten Italy in any of their six meetings at major tournaments.
The hosts threatened through Bernd Schneider, who should have done better when put in on goal, while Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski were both well denied by Gianluigi Buffon. Substitute Alberto Gilardino engineered Italy’s best opportunity with a scampering run down the right at the start of extra time. He got past Christoph Metzelder and Michael Ballack but rolled his shot against the post with Jens Lehmann beaten. Gianluca Zambrotta also struck the bar from distance.
Lukas Podolski headed wide and later forced another save from Buffon but Italy snatched victory at the death as penalties loomed. After a corner was cleared to the edge of the box, Andrea Pirlo teed up Fabio Grosso for a curling finish and then a superb breakaway was completed by Alessandro Del Piero, who found the top corner with conviction. Italy’s hold over the Germans continued.
