This is the game to watch. Every World Cup, this meaningless match is played. Some people don't even bother watching. Only pride is at stake.
But sometimes, that makes it one of the best games of the tournament.
My first experience of the match was the excellent France 4 Belgium 2 game of 1986. Free-flowing football, goals, excitement. It was better than the semi-finals and the final.
In 1990, England were involved! We ended up with 4th place after a 2-1 loss to Italy. There were more goals in 1994 when Sweden took Bulgaria apart 4-0 and in 1998, Davor Suker claimed the Golden Boot with the winner in a 2-1 victory for Croatia over Holland.
In 2002, it was probably the best of all time. Turkey 3 South Korea 2, and the fastest ever goal at the World Cup - 10.8 seconds for Hakan Sukur!
And last time, there was more entertainment than the final (although it lacked a good old-fashioned headbutting incident), when Germany beat Portugal 3-1 in a pressure-free, fun game to watch.
Even in the past, there were goals - 1982 had the excellent Poland and France sides meet (3-2). 1966 pitted Eusebio against Yashin as Portugal beat the Soviets 2-1.
So, watch out this year - this "meaningless" game never fails to entertain!
_______________________________________
But sometimes, that makes it one of the best games of the tournament.
My first experience of the match was the excellent France 4 Belgium 2 game of 1986. Free-flowing football, goals, excitement. It was better than the semi-finals and the final.
In 1990, England were involved! We ended up with 4th place after a 2-1 loss to Italy. There were more goals in 1994 when Sweden took Bulgaria apart 4-0 and in 1998, Davor Suker claimed the Golden Boot with the winner in a 2-1 victory for Croatia over Holland.
In 2002, it was probably the best of all time. Turkey 3 South Korea 2, and the fastest ever goal at the World Cup - 10.8 seconds for Hakan Sukur!
And last time, there was more entertainment than the final (although it lacked a good old-fashioned headbutting incident), when Germany beat Portugal 3-1 in a pressure-free, fun game to watch.
Even in the past, there were goals - 1982 had the excellent Poland and France sides meet (3-2). 1966 pitted Eusebio against Yashin as Portugal beat the Soviets 2-1.
So, watch out this year - this "meaningless" game never fails to entertain!
_______________________________________
Comment