A World In Motion Indeed

Probably because England did so well. But also as a 13-year-old, one that I could consciously savour and understand and enjoy

Baggio's run and goal, Mark Wright's tremendous header, Sheedy's brilliant strike, Nessun Dorma, Barnes' rap goodness me it was fantastic!

Platt's last minute winner v Belgium, I was gutted to be 2-1 down v Camerooon. How could it end like this? And then suddenly Gazza's run, foul, penalty and praying, ‘Lineker, please please please score'. And then another pen and we're through!!

Ah but we concede a deflected goal to Germany. How's your luck? What a way to lose. Gutted.

But then a crap cross from Paul Parker, a mix up between the defenders and it falls to Lineker on his left ... bang Goal!!!!

Extra time and Waddle hits one from 40 yards and hits the post. Gazza's foul, yellow card and tears; and then penalties

Man, it was incredible

And Football, from being scum and all fans being hooligans was suddenly cool!!! People were allowed to talk about it with pride. Chris Evans talked about it during mainstream radio shows

Overnight football transformed from rotten (thanks Thatcher) to cool and hip and wonderful.

Italia 90 — my favourite World Cup and international tournament.

Each to their own but I'll never understand how you can't support nor take joy in your country playing in a tournament

My other abiding memory is taking my local bookie for 28-1 on the Argentina - Cameroon result... "How the fuck did you pick that?" he said. I just tapped my nose and went to the pub next door to lose some of it over the bar while watching the next game.

Despite England's horrible start, the rest of the tournament had so much to lure you in. The only keeper ever to distract me from Nev was Deysev. That Russian side played with flair, Belanov the talisman.

Denmark, Spain and Belgium all had excellent sides. Hugo Sanchez was a poster boy too.

The nasty Uruguay side and Scotland's ill-fated ship once again did the impossible and failed the most simple. That ‘86 side easily the best they had in terms of talent.

Josimar spawned long-range shooting in the playground, the park and well just anywhere.

The final was amazing and a true great dragged an average side through a tournament.

Both the Germans and the ‘Argies cheated their way there, screwing both France and England in the process, and a lifetime of distaste for both began.

Swedes 2 Turnips 1 when Sweden beat England in a World Cup qualifier;

And from Derek Thomas, Argentine v Cameroon, when Cameroon played as if they didn't know the football rules:

Looney Roons Bargy Argies

Italia 90 I remember for the soporific games – wasn't this the tournament they changed the backpass rule because of? England took a long time to get going, just like 86, and only started after they lost their midfield playmaker, just like 86. (Wilkins and then Captain Marvel himself Bryan Robson). In both cases, England ended up playing better after they had been deprived of the supposed essential cog in the side.

They should give the Mexicans another World Cup; the two they've hosted are for me two of the five best ever.

Germany, Denmark & Russia the standouts for me.

It all began on July 12th, when Brazil beat Bulgaria 2-0 with goals from Pele, and Garrincha, and finished on July 25th When West Germany beat Russia 2-1, in the Semi-Final, the German goals being scored by Helmut Haller, and Franz Beckenbauer. Russia replying through Valery Porkuja.

We were entertained royally by Brazil, Bulgaria, Hungary and Portugal in the group stages, Portugal and North Korea in the Quarter-Final. Nobody who was present on that occasion will forget how the Koreans stormed into a three-goal lead through Park Seung-jin, Lee Dong-Woon, and Yang Seung-Kook.

However, they weren't street-wise and continued to attack, where a more defensive approach may have produced a better result; as it was, Portugal ran out 5-3 winners, with 4 goals from Eusebio, including 2 penalties, the other goal coming from Jose Augusta.

We were royally entertained, and I will name one player from each team to give you an idea of the quality on display: Pele (Brazil), Asparoukov (Bulgaria), Eusebio (Portugal), Bene (Hungary), Park Seung-Jin (North Korea), Lev Yashin (Russia), Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany).

The highest attendance at Goodison was 58,479, for the Portugal versus Brazil game; the highest attendance at Old Trafford (where this group also played) was 29,886, for the Portugal versus Hungary game, so, as you can imagine, tickets were readily available.

My own favourite tournament was 1982 in Spain. Two of the best games I've ever watched were Rossi's hat-trick beat Brazil, and the 3-3 between France and Germany, which I think is the game that John@3 is on about. Unless the Germans also cheated the French again 4 years later John?

But my greatest memory of all was Tardelli's joy, when he scored in the final against The Germans. Who couldn't dream about being a footballer after watching that?

Always tricky for the atheist republican.

Always tricky for the atheist republican. ,,michael.kenrick@gmail.com ,1,15:16:43,,2.124.201.239,ok,19546,06/26/2018 15:16:43,debyrne,reader,, 927734,36845,toffeeweb,26/06/2018,Eugene McLoughlin,eugenejoseph@eircom.net,Anyone spot the Everton flag at the France v Denmark match??,Anyone spot the Everton flag at the France v Denmark match??,,,1,15:29:01,,78.19.127.138,ok,1833,06/26/2018 15:29:01,mcloughlin.eugene@gmail.com,reader,, 927735,36845,toffeeweb,26/06/2018,Mike Gaynes,,"That's me, Dermot. The David Bowie of Toffee World.

The brilliant Brazilian team of 1982 with Socrates, Zico, Falcao etc. were the best team I've ever seen and were considered by many to be the best team not to win the World Cup. Their elimination against Italy was the greatest game I've ever seen to this day. I remember watching it as an 8-year-old and being transfixed.

Mexico '86 had some wonderful teams and games. Mexico and Denmark were great as were France with Giresse, Platini and Tigana. Brazil were more European than the '82 team but played some wonderful stuff with Josimar scoring some screamers. The game between France and Brazil was an amazing match. Maradona is remembered for the Hand of God but he scored some sublime goals in that tournament against England and Belgium.

I don't know whether it's a case of "football overload" nowadays where we can see all of the world's greatest players week-in & week-out but none of the recent World Cups seem to be the same as those first two that I remember.

Goodison Park:

Brazil vs Bulgaria – 47,308
Hungary vs Brazil – 51,387
Portugal vs Brazil – 58,479.
Quarter Final, Portugal vs North Korea – 40,248
Semi-Final, West Germany vs Russia – 38,273

Old Trafford:

Portugal vs Hungary – 29,886
Portugal vs Bulgaria – 25,438
Hungary vs Bulgaria – 24,129.

It's fair to say that Goodison had the more attractive fixtures, the figures at both grounds would have been viewed as disappointing, but believe me it was a pleasure to have been there; no doubt Dave has a tale or two to relate.

If you're free on July 15th, I would really like to make your acquaintance.

I have to agree that 1966 was football sent from heaven as, like me, you had tickets for all of the games at Goodison Park. The Everton fans took to the Hungarian centre-forward whose name escapes me at the moment but it wasn't Bene I was thinking of. Florian or some name of that ilk.

They also took to Park Seung Jin and the crowd were right up for it when North Korea went 3-0 up against Portugal. I can still recall today the disappointment I felt once Eusebio started putting matters right. I was to the right of the goal in which he put away his penalty. But boy – what a player!

Pele was kicked out of the tournament by Portugal's Number 6 and I hated him and them for many years after. I can't recall his name but read of his passing some time ago.

Good game in prospect tonight – Argentina vs Nigeria!

The biggest disappointments for me was the terrible treatment dished out to Pele, and the FA changing the England semi-final to Wembley. I think that that is one reason why I have never been as patriotic towards the England team (London FC) as I was that glorious year, 1966.

Best single year of my life: FA Cup Final, World Cup Winners... I visited London for the first time, passed my driving test first time after 8 lessons... what a great year – and to see Pele, Eusebio, Garrincha, Jaizhino, Gerson, and Tostao was the icing on the cake. Great memories.

The Brazilians brought a colour and enthusiasm the like of which we had never seen. 'Happy Days' indeed.

It went back to the start of the competition when Sir Stanley Rous, president of FIFA at the time, got the referees together and impressed on them the difference between European and South American football, pointing out vigorous tackling was part of the European culture.

So you got Argentina, possibly the best team in that World Cup, IMO, getting a man sent off early in the game vs England, and called animals by Alf Ramsey, while half a blind eye was turned towards one of the worst fouls Nobby Styles's foul in the semi-final v Portugal. England to play every game in London.

I'm still waiting for the replay of the final, one of the goals took 16 years before it was ratified as a goal, and the final goal was scored while a spectator was on the field, taking everyone's eyes off the ball. Don't think I am going to get that replay though.

Our younger readers (if any exist!) need to realise that Goodison Park was second only to Wembley in terms of facilities and stature in the world game as a UK venue. That it's fallen so far is another story, of course.

And Ian (#18), I think the Portuguese No 6 was Mario Coluna, their captain. They called him their "Sacred Monster". No idea why!!

In the other game vs Hungary, Brazil were second best and got beat deservedly by a very good team. In the first game vs Bulgaria, a Brazil supporter was doing my head in banging his drum throughout the game in The Gwladys Street Stand... I think he'd been to Southport with The Orange Lodge in the afternoon.

Coluna was actually the midfield brains for that Portuguese team, and had been for Benfica, for some years. No butcher, him.

John McFarlane, great memories of those games at Goodison! I watched the semi, as well as the Portugal v Brazil and Portugal v North Korea games. I seem to remember that one of Eusebio's goals against Brazil was a a header, which must have been a rare feat for him.

Brazil looked a spent force in that tournament. They had already been clearly beaten by a very good Hungarian team, and needed to beat Portugal by three goals in order to qualify. A tough ask, indeed.

Elsewhere, I enjoyed Spain '82 very much. That Brazilian team was probably their best never to win the World Cup. Until Paolo Rossi almost single-handedly beat them, that is. They were a bloody disgrace, that day.

My ticket for them games was at the Gwladys Street End. Houses along Gwladys Street were opened up for visitors.

But the player who lost an eye was someone else, not the butcher.

They were very lucky to get out the group, but they showed an iron-will, and a real mental toughness to get past Brazil, and I personally think it takes two teams to contribute to what was an absolutely outstanding game of football.

Brazil had so much talent but, once out the group, then Italy came alive, and I honestly thought they deserved to win the World Cup that year.

But my favorite World Cup, of course, was USA '94. Saw six incredible games and rode CalTrain to every one of them with the mad, crazy, singing Brazilian fans, who were based in the area. (I was a lot less enchanted with Brazil after Leonardo fractured Tab Ramos' skull with an elbow.)

Now the World Cup is coming back to the US, and I can't wait.

Mike G., I was at the Russia vs Cameroon game in 94 at Stanford when Salenko scored 5 goals. Did you go to the Olympic soccer at Stanford in 84? I went to the Brazil vs West Germany game. Dunga played for Brazil.

From my spot behind the Gwladys Street goal, I remember Coluna, Portugal's captain, was the man who hacked down Pele. After his first scything tackle failed, he finished the of the great one with another.

The referee was English and did nothing despite having a close and unobstructed view of the incident. My last sight of Pele was him being stretchered off.

I watched from a variety of terraces, Goodison Road, the Street and for the semi-final in the Park end. I agree with Dick about Coluna being the perpetrator of the double scythe/hack on Pele as it happened just in front of the dugouts and myself in Goodison Road.

Farkas's screamer was off the radar and also Garinchas free kick against the Bulgars in the first game. That was as good as it got for the Samba boys unfortunately.

Portugal should have won the 1966 World Cup in my book, but were outflanked by the controlling body who got them to travel to Wembley to play England instead of remaining in their happy hunting ground at Goodison.

I remember the Bullens Road stand being full of Brazilian fans in the final do-or-die group game against their fellow Portuguese speakers. After the game, during which they bongo-ed their way throughout, regardless of the sad events on the field, they up and left their musical equipment behind. I wonder if anyone on here was lucky enough to have salvaged a magic momento of another proud part of our clubs fabulous history? If not, where did they end up?

Just to add I have had goose pimples throughout writing this!

The tournament opening was all about Nessun Dorma and the shock the Cameroonians provided. As an African born family we were proud of them, but their tactics against Argentina were pretty brutal.

However, many of the group games were really dull, with the Germans providing the most entertainment. Italy too played some good football, although it took a classic goal from Giannini to beat USA, who back then were a much weaker side.

The Dutch were a huge disappointment. I had high hopes for Van Basten, Gullit and Rijkaard – my 3 favourite players 14 – but they never really did the business for the national team after Euro 88.

The tournament went sour for me when Argentina prevailed to the final. They did well to beat Brazil - Maradona's assist for Canniggia was unreal, but then relied on luck and defensive tactics to beat Yugoslavia and Italy. The Germans I seem to recall had scares in the Quarters and Semis (Waddle hitting the post) and were not particularly good in the final.

It was a tournament that showed how much of a role luck played. I don't think the Germans would have beaten the Italians on their own patch, and Italy missed some Golden chances to beat Argentina in the semis.

The dark memories of the tournament matched dark memories of my school days at that period. I had just left a dreadful board school in Bedfordshire that Summer to join one in Leicestershire. Both were rugby playing schools and my obsession with the World Cup was relentlessly mocked.

My father died in the Spring of 1991 and it took me and my family a full 3 years to get over it.

Around the time of the 1994 World Cup things perked up; I was enjoying my time in University and our family had put its life back together.

Its funny how one's outlook on life could influence the lens through which we see things. I have rose tinted glasses on for USA 1994 and indeed Mexico 1986 – both during times when I was happy at school and home, but I don't look back at 1990 with much fondness.

We also had some strange football shows at the time – Saint and Greavsie was about as cutting edge as it got in terms of punditry and analysis!

There were lots of them left in the Bullens. I'm sure quite a few of the colourful implements found new and welcoming homes.

Now I see Andy Dunn, who writes for the Mirror, is now saying he thinks we could go all the way... so much for keeping a lid on things. We are all pleased with the progress the team has made with expectations not very high. But, after beating two very average sides, Dunn now thinks we can win it – unbelievable! I will be interested to see how certain journalists report on what team he selects for the Belgium game.

I was behind the Park End goal, and the stand above us was filled with them, and of course there were the mandatory 'drummers'. I don't know if you're familiar with the Anfield area – it's probably a location you try to avoid; I lived there myself before seeking sanctuary in Skelmersdale 51 years ago. (Sorry for that digression, back to the subject on hand.)

There was an article in the Echo that stated that, when Brazil were eliminated from the competition, a Brazil supporter gave his drum to a young boy who lived off Priory Road, I think it may have been Bingley Road; it would be perfect if he was an Evertonian with access to 'ToffeeWeb.'

I was tempted to say that, when the young boy received the drum, he was told to beat it, but I thought that may be considered a bit cringeworthy, so I resisted the temptation.

I've heard Liverpool was the place to be during the “swinging sixties” and was wondering if this might have had anything to do Goodison also getting the much bigger gates?

I know you said we probably got the bigger games, but I'm sure Old Trafford got much better attendances than Anfield during Euro 96.

It would appear that World Cup fever is greater now than it was in our day; I would think that having it on the doorstep was the icing on the cake.

With regard to Liverpool being the place to be in the 'Swinging Sixties' I must plead ignorance, when the Beatles were all the rage I said, "Give them 18 months and nobody will know who they are", my world then, as it is now, was 120 yards long and 70 yards wide, but I must confess that I don't like the way it's heading.

Thanks John (#40), excellent research as ever.

I think the Brazilians recognized a kindred spirit in us as we did in them. That was a total love of the game of association football. Fellow Corinthians indeed.

We all have a World Cup that resonates more than any other, but I really love them, perhaps less from an England perspective and more from learning about global football especially when I was a boy.

I begged my Dad for World Cup books and trivia and come the 90's any vhs that showed complelation footage of previous World Cups. One video narrated by one Sir Robert Charlton was watched repeatedly until it broke.

Born in ‘75, the ones I think I'd love to have known are Mexico ‘70 & Argentina ‘78, it looked glitzy and glamorous, alien and different.

I've watch Mario Kempes goals over and over. An Argentina side I could get behind!

My fascination stemmed from my father, not known for any outpourings of emotion. He was 14 when ‘66 rolled around, quite possibly the best age to embrace a World Cup winning side?

Anytime we talked about it, as the tale goes when the 4th goal went in he jumped so high the big light in the parlor got smashed! His eyes always engage as if he can remember it just like that!

I desperately wanted to know what it felt like, it drove my curiosity.

Well now ‘State side and the Cup coming to the US in 2026, I will like the London Olympics before it, go to every game/event I can. Maybe it might be a final .🏆