Retro game: Brazil 2 Italy 3

Wednesday, 07/12/2011

by Ger McCarthy

Date: July 5, 1982
Venue: Estadio Sarria, Barcelona
Competition: World Cup 1982
Final Score: Brazil 2 Italy 3

Former Brazilian international midfielder Socrates passed away earlier this week following complications having contracted an intestinal infection.

The 6 ft 4 inch bearded playmaker will be remembered by those lucky enough to have seen him play as one of the most elegant, talented and attack-minded midfielders of his generation. He set the tempo for his side often gaining possession from his back four and spraying instant passes to setup Brazil’s attacks.

Socrates took part in two World Cups (1982 and 1986) and produced some scintillating displays in the centre of the park for the South Americans. The midfielder possessed a venomous right foot that produced some marvellous long-range goals including some memorable strikes at the 1982 World Cup.

One match from that tournament held in Spain stands out amongst the pantheon of World Cup classics. Socrates played a pivotal role in the encounter where Brazil met Italy for a place in the semi-finals with the star-studded South Americans needing only a draw against an Italian squad struggling for form and in conflict with their travelling press core. It looked a mere formality for the Brazilians to progress until the intervention of one Paolo Rossi turned the football world on its head.

The Match
The Estadio Sarria in Barcelona was packed to capacity on a sweltering July afternoon with 44,000 fans swaying to the beat of the many samba drums dotted around the stadium. Italy stunned their opponents with an opening goal after five minutes when Graziani released Cabrini on the wing who instantly crossed for Paolo Rossi to head home goal from close range and stun the South American fans.

Rossi, 22, has just returned from a two-year suspension following his involvement in a Serie A match-fixing scandal back in 1979 and had been unable to play professionally for the previous 24 months. Much to the anger of the Italian press international manager Enzo Bearzot selected Rossi for the 1982 World Cup squad but the young striker repaid his coach’s faith with a stunning individual performance.

Socrates demonstrated his leadership qualities by hauling Brazil back into the game just seven minutes after conceding that opening goal. The midfielder combined beautifully with Zico before slaloming into the Italian box and firing past Dino Zoff at his near post to tie the score at 1-1.

That equaliser settled Brazil who began playing with their accustomed swagger until Italy took advantage of some kamikaze defending to retake the lead. Cerezo made a hash of an attempted cross-field pass that the alert Paolo Rossi collected before walloping an unstoppable shot past a Peres for his and Italy’s second goal of the afternoon.

It was at this point that Socrates’ was at his most effective with the midfielder moving across the pitch and prompting a succession of Brazilian attacks during a dominant spell. Brazil wore down an overworked Italian defence before the flame-haired Falcao unleashed a stunning drive from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-2 amid wild celebrations on the South American’s bench.

Brazil pressed forward in search of a winner rather than defend the 2-2 draw that would have secure passage to the last four of the competition. Socrates was inexplicably pushed into the centre-forward role but Brazil failed to add to their tally despite creating a plethora of opportunities and Italy made the South Americans pay in the 76th minute. Bruno Conti swung in a corner that Marco Tardelli glanced into the path of the unmarked Paulo Rossi.

The Italian striker spun on the edge of the six yard box and fired home to complete his hat trick to knock Socrates’ Brazil out of the World Cup.

What Happened Next?
Italy were a side reborn following that famous win over everyone’s favourites to capture the 82 World Cup. Paolo Rossi continued his remarkable form with both goals in the semi-final defeat of Poland and netted in the 3-1 victory over West Germany in the decider.

Italy’s World Cup triumph is best remembered for Marco Tardelli’s goal celebration in the final when the current Republic of Ireland assistant manager raced to the touchline screaming ‘goal!’ having scored a from the edge of the penalty area.

Brazil returned home utterly despondent as the most talented team to partake in a World Cup since Pele’s 1970 triumph in Mexico had failed in their quest to win out the competition.

Mexico 1986 proved equally as frustrating for the South Americans with a penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of a Michel Platini inspired France ending their dreams for another four years.

Socrates was part of that 1986 Brazilian squad before retiring from the national side having represented his country 60 times and scoring 22 goals. He completed his club career in 1989 aged 35 finishing up in his homeland with spells at Flamengo and Santos.

Italy: Zoff; Cabrini, Collovati, Gentile, Scirea, Antognoni, Oriali, Tardelli, Conti, Graziani, Rossi. Substitutes used: Bergomi and Marini.

Brazil: Peres, Leandro, Oscar, Luisinho, Cerezo, Junior, Socrates, Serginho, Zico, Eder, Falcao. Substitute used: Paulo Isidoro

Referee: Abraham Klein (Israel)

Follow Ger on Twitter: @offcentrecircle

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