At every World Cup, there is at least one shocking exit in the first round. Whether it be England in 1950, Brazil and Italy in 1966, or Columbia in 1994, there is almost guaranteed to be one major casualty before the business end of the competition begins. The 2002 version provided a remarkable example of this, when the three tournament favourites (France, Argentina, Portugal) couldn't negotiate their way into the knock-out phase. South Africa 2010 would surely provide another established power falling at the first hurdle.
And so it would prove. As the 2010 group stage reached its climax, four major teams were on the edge. Italy, England, France and Spain all approached their final games with varying degrees of trepidation. Two of them would make it through, one even winning their group. But two others would fall. The most shocking of those was the reigning world champions.
The Italians have been a world power as long as this competition has existed. Champions at home in 1934 and again in France four years later, they have since tended to succeed when expected not to, and fail while being touted as potential champions. North Korea shocked Italy in 1966, 1974 saw them tamely exit before the competition really got going, and they failed to win the title at home in 1990. Their two modern day titles, however, have come when least expected.
Emerging from a devastating bribery scandal in 1980 that saw star striker Paulo Rossi banned for two years, Italy struggled through the opening round of the 1982 Finals, drawing all three of their group games. Then, against all the odds, they triumphed against champions Argentina, a magnificent Brazil team, and Poland to reach the final. In Madrid the West Germans were swept aside as Rossi scored his sixth of the tournament and Italy became champions with an easy 3-1 win. In 2006 the story was eerily similar, bribery scandal included, as the Italians won their fourth title despite being outplayed for major parts of the final against France. No surprise then, when Slovakia's deserved 3-2 win over the title holders condemned Italy to an early flight home from South Africa without winning a game. Having said that, their demise was nothing compared to that of the French.
The French were only in the Finals because of Thierry Henry's now legendary handball against Ireland. Today the degree of their implosion was best demonstrated by the shocking resignation of the president of the French Football Federation. This followed an uninspiring scorelss draw with Uraguay, defeats against Mexico and South Africa, Nicholas Anelka being sent home, the team refusing to train, the fitness coach quitting, and the team seemingly in virtual mutiny. Striker Henry, who surely has played in his last finals, was last seen seeking a meeting with the French Prime Minister. Ten years ago they were unquestionably the world's greatest team. Now they are an embarrassment. Maybe Henry should have punched the ball into his own net last year in Paris---the Irish surely would have put up a better fight in these Finals.
Spain took care of business in their final must-win group game against Chile, and edged their way to the top of the group in the process. Switzerland's early win against the Spanish proved to be meaningless in the end, and the feeling edures that this highly talented Spain team will only get better as the tournament goes on. For the English, a narrow 1-0 victory against Slovenia ensured their progress in second place in Group C, but merely delayed the inevitable. The fallibility and mediocrity of this particular English side was ruthlessly exposed by a young, dynamic German team. The final score of 4-1 was an uncomfortably accurate indication of the gulf between the sides. Frank Lampard's first half shot, which clearly crossed the line, was missed by the referee and linesman, and would have made the score 2-2. But England's problems go deeper than the obvious need for instant replay. Perhaps this defeat to their old enemy will force a major rethink of how talent is nurtured in the home of football.
As the World Cup entered the quarter final stage, France, Italy, England, and Portugal were all out. But it was in the last eight that this tournament would produce possibly its biggest shocks.
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