Not only was this edition of the World Cup the lowest in goals per game average (and still holds the top spot), but it was also full of violence, reaching a record of 16 red cards (the highest of all time at the time, since surpassed), and most of the teams used an all-out defensive strategy, which in 1990, when shoveling from behind was permissible and the scale of fouling was more lenient, became a nightmare, with almost every team stockpiling a a large number of defenders in the backcourt to stop the offense by fouling and shanking the ball.
Maradona's Argentina, before the start of the World Cup, the state can be said to be poor, they are even more than in 1986, of course, Maradona is already 30 years old at this time is a problem, but the bigger problem is in the injury, Argentina's last leading scorer Valdano and strong center back Brown at this time already
demobilize
The Argentine starters had five injuries, Ruggeri, Giusti, Burruchaga, Olarticoechea and, crucially, Maradona had a toe injury, which obviously and seriously affected his performance.
The team with the highest reputation for winning this year's championship is the host country's Italy, they can be said to be all out for this edition of the World Cup hosted in their own home, when the Italian team is really a golden lineup, from the results, whether it's the lowest number of goals conceded on defense (only 2 goals conceded in 7 matches), as well as the Golden Goal Award and the Golden Boot Award (6 goals) are Italy can be known that this edition of the Italian team relative to the competition is absolutely favorite to win the championship. This year's Italian team is the absolute favorite to win the championship compared to its competitors.
From a future point of view, including Maradona's recollections, by this time he was already addicted to drugs and was actually a bit out of shape, so it's hard to pinpoint whether his poor performance in this World Cup was due to a toe injury or the effects of drugs, but it's a fact that Maradona rarely broke through offensively and made many fewer key passes in this World Cup.
In the first match of the group stage, Argentina faced Cameroon, a very tough Cameroon team that last reached the last eight (the only time Cameroon has reached the last eight in its history), and had Uncle Mira back for the World Cup in its lineup. However, in this first match, Uncle Mira did not come on until the 81st minute, and Cameroon had already almost killed Argentina before that.
(This is the full game, I couldn't find the highlights)
The match was played at San Siro in Milan. From the beginning of the match, Argentina was strongly controlled by Cameroon, striker Balbo had nothing to do, although Maradona was the striker, he couldn't seem to find a way to break through, and then he tried to move to the side with no effect, Argentina's whole team was in a mess, as if they didn't have any attacking strategy at all, and could only rely on the back guards to hold on to the ball.
Coach Bilardo brought on 23-year-old Caniggia at the start of the second half, and this was the beginning of a dark horse for Caniggia, the son of the wind, who made several breakthroughs on the right side of the field in the second half, instantly getting past at least two Cameroonian defenders, which created some chances for Argentina.
However, Argentina's problems erupted in a row. In 67 minutes, a header by Cameroon's Biyik was supposed to be in front of the goalkeeper Pumpido, who could have easily caught it, but Pumpido made a very outrageous release, letting the ball roll directly into the goal, giving Cameroon a 1-0 lead, and then the Argentinean defense was in chaos, and the team eventually lost the first match to Cameroon (Cameroon ended up first in their group), and then the Argentinean team lost to Cameroon (Cameroon eventually finished first in their group).
beyond the pale
But at this time, Maradona, seems to have been less stable emotionally, he made a controversial statement after the game, he said the only thing that makes me happy this afternoon is that because of me, the Italians in Milan are no longer racist, and for the first time they began to support the Africans At this time, the Italians very much want Argentina to lose, especially in the just-concluded League of the Boxing League, Maradona only and Napoli took the title, blocking the
AC Milan (football club)
The Three Musketeers and the Inter Troika, no matter which Milan supporter hates Maradona, but he really goes a bit over the top when it comes to racism.
At this time, Argentina can not enter the round of sixteen is a big problem, the coach in the second game against the Soviet Union, direct use of Caniggia and Maradona partner, from this moment onwards, Argentina's legendary combination is officially formed, is remembered forever by the future generations of Maradona and the wind son of Caniggia combination, from this moment onwards, Maradona's passes do their best to look for Caniggia.
However, the usual style of the Soviet team is to attack very rigidly. Only 10 minutes into the match, tragedy struck when Argentinean goalkeeper Pumpido collided with his own defender in order to prevent the Soviet striker from grabbing a point, and suffered a very serious leg injury (should have broken his leg). Not only did a number of the main players in the lineup participate in the WC with injuries, but now even the main goalkeeper has broken off.
But it turned out to be a lucky start for Argentina, as substitute goalkeeper Goycochea performed miraculously and escorted Argentina all the way to the final, saving a large number of sure goals during the process.
