This weekend England will play the ultimate road game of the World Cup.
Sunday’s Round of 16 match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium will pose even more of a challenge than the Three Lions have faced thus far. The altitude, the hostile atmosphere, and whatever extra gamesmanship awaits you, it’s all part of the experience of playing against El Tri in Mexico City.
That too charming theater.
There’s nothing quite like a big World Cup match involving the host nation, and when that team is enjoying a famously impressive home run (as Mexico certainly did with the Aztecs), there’s a real intimidation factor. England have won the men’s tournament six times playing at home, most recently in 1998. But there is hope for England too. Some of the most famous matches in World Cup history are ones that the home team actually lost.
Here we take a look at home field advantage over the years.
Italy, 1934
The first two World Cups were won by hosts Uruguay in 1930; Italy in 1934. The latter gained notoriety for Benito Mussolini’s use of the tournament as a political tool, and perhaps for the influence he had on referees.
“The fascist regime politically abused this event,” Italian writer Marco Impilia said nearly 80 years later. “This was a dubious victory and raised many questions at the time.”
Four years later, Italy should be recognized for their victory over France, becoming the first team to win an away World Cup.
Brazil, 1950
Brazilian men have won a record five World Cups, but never at home. In 1950, the hosts only needed a draw with Uruguay to win the title – there was a final group stage game rather than the only title game – but Rio’s Maracanã stadium drew a crowd that probably cost $200,000, and the Brazilians dropped down the standings. Unthinkable 2-1 defeat.
Alcides Guigia, who scored the winning goal, once said that only three people could silence the Maracanã: “The Pope, Frank Sinatra, and me.”
When Brazil hosted again in 2014, that 1950 loss overshadowed the match — and the team’s loss to Germany in the semifinals may have been even more embarrassing. At least in that case, any worries were quickly dispelled as the visiting team scored a series of goals in the first half, leading to a 7-1 rout.
UK, 1966
England’s only World Cup victory came on home soil, but it was not without controversy. In the final against West Germany at Wembley Stadium, Geoff Hurst’s shot in stoppage time hit the crossbar and bounced off. Did it come in or not? Finish line technology was still decades away.
Officials conceded the goal, making it 3-2 for England. Hurst then scored again to complete his hat-trick and become the final score. It was 4-2.
Argentina, 1978
The Netherlands lost consecutive finals in 1974 and 1978, both times to the host nation. In 1974, the Netherlands scored early but lost 2-1 to West Germany. Four years later, they had to play Argentina in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Buenos Aires. Argentina took to the pitch minutes after the Netherlands, leaving the visitors alone in front of hostile fans. Then there was one line On whether René van de Kerkhove can play with a cast. In the end, Argentina won 3-1 in extra time.
The Netherlands were about to play Brazil in the final. Argentina needed at least four goals in their second round group final match against Peru to advance to the final. Argentina won 6-0, sparking many conspiracy theories.
Italy, 1990
In some cases, it may not be all that clear who the home team actually is. At least that’s what Diego Maradona hoped as Argentina prepared to face Italy in the 1990 semi-final in Naples. Napoli club star Maradona was loved at Napoli, but will the local fans really root for him and Argentina against his home country? Maradona certainly tried to stir up divisions between northern and southern Italy.
“Even though there was so much racism, people are now rushing to remember that Naples is part of Italy,” Maradona told Corriere dello Sport. “They slap Neapolitans in every possible way and then someone tells them they are Italian and only Italy matters. It’s unbelievable, ridiculous and disgusting.”
In the end, the fans cheered for Italy, but Argentina became the first team to score against Italy throughout the tournament, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Argentina then won the penalty shootout. Eliminate the Azzurri. In the final, held in Rome, Argentina received an unpleasant reception and lost to West Germany.
France, 1998
The most recent host country to win the title was France, who did not advance until 1998. France didn’t even qualify for the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, but reached the final on home soil and won there. Rejecting Brazil’s consecutive victory.
Korea, 2002
The 2002 World Cup was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, with the latter making a remarkable run to the semi-finals. Italy and Spain saw little celebration of South Korea’s breakthrough.
After Italy lost to South Korea in extra time in the Round of 16, FIFA announced it had received hundreds of thousands of emails from Italian fans furious with the referee. In the quarterfinals, South Korea defeated Spain in a penalty shootout after Spain had multiple goals ruled out.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter denied any conspiracy, but acknowledged some malicious allegations.
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