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00:00Well it's a little bit more positive than in the last game. Like I said in the last game they didn't play with a single striker.
00:06Now at least we have one, Kanigue, but still I believe that it's very, very mean.
00:10If I was the manager, I would put two or three strikers, without a doubt.
00:17OK, thanks very much indeed Ozzy. Rod, what about the Russian team?
00:21Now they've dropped Dasayev, the goalkeeper, on his birthday as well, which seems a little bit harsh.
00:25Happy birthday, yeah. The goalkeeper's out, Rats is not playing.
00:30And I just feel that as far as the fans are concerned and the media is concerned,
00:36the Soviet Union team is almost like the extras on the game and it may not work out that way.
00:42I'll tell you what, the roof is beginning to come off a little bit now. They're getting very excited, the Neapolitans.
00:47Yeah, it's a good atmosphere. There's fireworks and rockets going off and all sorts here.
00:53Here's Kanigue, Maradona wanted him in the team.
00:56And the crowd know that those two form a very lethal partnership indeed.
01:02This, the first real cup tie of the World Cup so far.
01:06Two teams who surprisingly lost their opening matches,
01:09and they know that World Cup survival almost certainly depends on tonight's result.
01:15Lose and they could be on their way home.
01:18Argentina in their famous blue and white stripes and the black shorts.
01:22The Soviet Union who kick off in the red shirts and white shorts, attacking from right to left.
01:29Kuznetsov for number four, one of the experienced men at the back that the Soviets will be relying heavily on tonight.
01:36Lenikoff for number seven, losing out.
01:38And a first touch for Buracaga, the man who of course scored the winning goal for Argentina in the 1986 World Cup final.
01:48Golukhovich feeding Bessonov on the right.
01:52It's interesting to look at the changes the Soviets have made,
01:55because they brought in one young man, watch for number 18, Igor Shabimov,
01:59who as far as we can gather is winning his first ever international cap tonight.
02:03So what a debut for him.
02:06Referee Fredricksen awarding the first free kick of the game to the Soviets for the foul on Protasov,
02:13who as you see has bandage on his left wrist.
02:17He received that injury in training.
02:22Beautiful conditions, a cool evening here and the pitch absolutely perfect.
02:26Zamorod, an important man in midfield for the Soviets.
02:34This is number 17, Zygmantovich, another who's been brought into the starting lineup tonight
02:38and he won't be very happy with his first touch then.
02:41Zygmantovich is known as a man to man marker,
02:44so perhaps the Soviets have brought him in to do a job on Maradona or Kanidzha.
02:52And here's Dobrovolski in possession.
02:56A late little ball ball and the youngster got in and nearly made a name for himself then, Shalimov.
03:03And Pompidou is lying injured as play has gone on and he's going to be in trouble here
03:07if the ball comes into the middle and Batista realized that and had to clout it behind for a corner.
03:13Pompidou was lying helpless on the ground then and if the Soviets had been able to make a telling cross
03:18then surely they might have scored.
03:22It really was a bad mistake because one of the Argentine players thought that Pompidou was coming for it
03:27and let it run there thinking the goalkeeper was coming.
03:31And there was a Russian right behind him, I mean it really was a bit of a blunder.
03:37He got away with that one.
03:38He was and Shalimov who, as I say, is making his full international debut tonight
03:43could well have had a goal within the space of the first ten minutes.
03:48And Pompidou is in some trouble here, they've rather dramatically brought out a stretcher.
03:55There was an instant reaction by the other players to wave to the bench.
03:58Now whether the stretcher's a little bit of overkill I'm not sure but let's watch and see.
04:04Well his leg's certainly bent at a horrible angle.
04:08Everyone looks very concerned as they're stretching him off and he's been holding his leg there trying to ease it.
04:15I don't know, he's probably, may even have gone over on his ankle, Alan, and broke his ankle.
04:20So what a moment then for Goykachea who comes in with very little experience
04:27to take his place after only ten minutes of this critical game.
04:31And Pompidou is off and Argentina have a replacement goalkeeper
04:36whose first task will be to face a Soviet corner.
04:40A little bit of drama that no one had expected.
04:43And he was very nearly beaten as well straight away as the corner came over.
04:48In fact I'm not sure that the referee didn't see a push there but no, he's let it go and he's given another corner.
04:55So Xabier Goykachea gets a totally unexpected opportunity to play in the World Cup finals
05:05and the nerves must be flying in his stomach at the moment.
05:12Another corner to the Soviets.
05:15Oh and he got lost again there, Goykachea, as the defender Basweldo came and chested it away on the near post.
05:22And this is going to be an anxious few minutes for the world champions while their new goalkeeper settles in.
05:28Maradona knows that.
05:30Zamarov for the Soviets.
05:32And it will be sensible tactics on their part now to pump the ball forward at every opportunity.
05:37Here's Alenikov.
05:39Handball though and a free kick to Argentina.
05:44Well Ian?
05:45Well the Soviets were claiming a penalty kick and you'll see when the ball gets played then.
05:49A little flick there.
05:51And that was the fact that Maradona was on the line.
05:54Yes.
05:55I think they had a good claim for a penalty kick.
05:58Well quite how much he could have done about that is debatable but we have seen Maradona use his hand in other situations before and get away with it.
06:06He was in the wrong box this time.
06:08Meanwhile Trollio brought down at the other end.
06:10What an opening.
06:11This has been everything happening here.
06:14Now Argentina have a free kick.
06:16And a chance for the other goalkeeper to show what he's worth overall.
06:23Well he didn't really need to bother about that shot.
06:26Ineja quite disgusted that Serezuela hit the ball from that range so inaccurately.
06:32And the referee having a word with Maradona I think or probably Zigmantovic the defender behind him.
06:39Certainly they were scrapping away as they were waiting for the free kick to come in.
06:43And again a shot.
06:45A bit better effort this time though by the number 18 Serezuela.
06:50And the goalkeeper had to palm that one behind.
06:53That's his third free kick in which he's tried to hit it from a long distance.
06:58He tried to find him.
07:00And did well to win it back off Kuznetsov.
07:03But then Shazam.
07:05But still Argentina looking the more determined in the tackle at the moment.
07:08This is Batista.
07:12Maradona took it like the master he is.
07:15And a good looking cross as well.
07:17And there was real danger then.
07:19Dobrovolski had to hammer it behind for a corner.
07:21Both Batista and Kaneja were threatening.
07:25And that was all down to a piece of magic from the little man Maradona.
07:30The corner headed clear by Kiviatulin.
07:33And Arti Kutchea showing good skill himself.
07:37And that's a dangerous looking ball.
07:38Tronio!
07:40Yes!
07:42Argentina are in front.
07:45Mendbals is delighted.
07:48And Maradona with the free kick.
07:51And it's in.
07:53And it's in.
07:55And it's in.
07:56Argentina are in front.
07:58Mendbals is delighted.
08:09And the little man brought in under pressure by Bilardo the manager.
08:15Has given him superb reward.
08:18With a headed goal to give Argentina the lead.
08:21Well it was a lovely headed goal.
08:22But you have to say that the marking was atrocious by the Soviets here.
08:26Look at all the room he's got.
08:27All the time in the world.
08:29But Argentina had put him under pressure by first of all Maradona.
08:32A great cross for winning the corner kick.
08:34And then this beautiful cross again and a lovely headed goal.
08:3827 minutes gone.
08:40The cross by Arti Kutchea.
08:42The header by Tronio.
08:44The score.
08:45Argentina won.
08:46The Soviet Union nil.
08:48And if Napoli themselves had scored.
08:50This crowd could not have been more delighted.
08:54So against all odds.
08:56With their goalkeeper.
08:58In an ambulance on his way to hospital.
09:01Argentina are in front.
09:13The Soviets.
09:15Will be rocked by that.
09:16Because they must have felt.
09:18That Lady Luck was smiling on that.
09:21But this Soviet team.
09:23Which many suspected even before.
09:25The World Cup finals.
09:26Was really reaching.
09:27The age when they needed some new blood.
09:30Are beginning to look very jaded already.
09:41So are we to see another long range.
09:43Shot by Salazuela.
09:47He's had one on target.
09:48And two well off target so far.
09:51And here he goes again.
09:53Well he doesn't lack confidence.
10:05Salazuela.
10:06Who captains.
10:07River Plate.
10:08The champions of the Argentine League.
10:10Brought in to replace the injured.
10:12Ruggieri tonight.
10:14With his fourth free kick.
10:16And he scores.
10:21Lenikov for the Soviets.
10:22Dobrovolski.
10:25All back to Protasov.
10:27Oh what a great save by Boikacheva.
10:33And that really was outstanding goalkeeping.
10:36From the stand-in.
10:37Keeper Ian.
10:39Excellent save.
10:40But again the Soviets created.
10:41What I thought was an excellent chance there.
10:43Protasov had the chance.
10:44And that's two, Alan.
10:45Within the last two, three minutes.
10:47I feel that.
10:48A good clear cut chances.
10:50Lenikov.
10:52Zygmantovich.
10:55Good possession here by the Soviets.
10:57Zygmantovich again.
10:58And still lots of space.
10:59For Veselov on the right.
11:04Only tried a shot.
11:05That the goalkeeper couldn't have expected.
11:07But got down to.
11:08Well if rather late.
11:11And Boikacheva has.
11:13Equipped himself well enough.
11:14With the two really dangerous shots.
11:16That have been.
11:17Directed at his goal.
11:19Corner to the Soviets.
11:23Oh there's Kanidja on the near post.
11:24Who got it clear.
11:25And then Buracaga.
11:26Finding Maradona.
11:28Nice little knock down.
11:29To Basualdo.
11:31Troglio.
11:33Kanidja.
11:38Free kick has been given.
11:41Good snap shot.
11:42Which Boikacheva did well.
11:44To get down to.
11:52Here's another look at it.
11:53From an angle.
11:54From behind the goal.
11:55And it may have been going wide.
11:57I think it was just going wide.
11:58But the keeper sprawled himself.
11:59To get a touch on it.
12:07Forward for Kanidja.
12:09Couldn't control it.
12:10And that's the final piece of action.
12:12Of the half then.
12:14So at half time.
12:15The world champions Argentina.
12:17Leading the Soviet Union.
12:18By one goal to nil.
12:21And we've just heard news.
12:22That indeed Pompidou.
12:23The Argentine goalkeeper.
12:25Has a fracture of the leg.
12:27Tragic news for him.
12:29I'm sure he'll play no further part.
12:30In the World Cup.
12:31The question now is.
12:32Will Argentina.
12:33More news.
12:34From Italy.
12:35After the break.
12:37Yes thank you Elton.
12:38Just looking around the pitch.
12:39It appears that neither team.
12:40Has made any substitutions.
12:42Or further substitutions.
12:43Remember.
12:44With Pompidou.
12:45The Argentine goalkeeper.
12:46Having gone off.
12:47After ten minutes.
12:48Javier Goicoechea.
12:49Came on.
12:50And has done pretty well.
12:51As the standing goalkeeper.
12:52For the world champions.
12:54Lead by one goal to nil.
12:56Pedro Trollio.
12:57Who plays for Lazio.
12:58Here in Italy.
12:59Scoring the goal.
13:00With a fine header.
13:01Argentina.
13:02In the stripes.
13:04Get the second half underway.
13:05Now attacking the goal.
13:06To our left.
13:08The world champions.
13:091978.
13:10And 1986.
13:12No.
13:13How important.
13:14This next 45 minutes.
13:15Is going to be.
13:16To hold on.
13:17To their crown.
13:18Or have.
13:19Any hope at all.
13:20Of making progress.
13:21To the next phase.
13:22Of the world cup finals.
13:23This.
13:24Is a match.
13:25They've got to win.
13:26The Soviets.
13:27Who came here.
13:28As one of the outside bets.
13:29Possibly even.
13:30To make the final itself.
13:31Face elimination.
13:32At the first hurdle.
13:33If they lose tonight.
13:34Having already dropped.
13:35Two points.
13:36Against Romania.
13:39Khadija.
13:40With good control.
13:41Early on.
13:42He's certainly got plenty of pace.
13:43Khadija.
13:44Although he flatters to deceive.
13:45On occasions.
13:46I think you'd agree.
13:47But here's Buracaga.
13:48A rather ambitious effort.
13:49By.
13:50Oguei Buracaga.
13:51Which.
13:52Defeated.
13:53Buracaga's attempted challenge.
13:54Gets it back.
13:55Mines Zavarov.
13:56A bad ball by him.
13:57Basualdo in possession again.
13:58Now Buracaga.
13:59Batista.
14:00Khadija.
14:01And.
14:02Buracaga.
14:03And.
14:04Buracaga.
14:05And.
14:06Buracaga.
14:07And.
14:08Buracaga.
14:09And.
14:10Khadija.
14:11And Khadija's got away.
14:12And he's being held back.
14:13The referee's got to take action.
14:14Because that was blatant foul play.
14:15As Khadija got away.
14:16And indeed.
14:17The red card.
14:18Has come out.
14:19And the referee has taken the sternest possible action.
14:20And Besanov is off.
14:21And frankly.
14:22He can have no complaints.
14:23It may seem harsh.
14:24It was his first real offence.
14:25And.
14:26He's gone.
14:27He's gone.
14:28And.
14:29He's gone.
14:30He's gone.
14:31He's gone.
14:32And he's gone.
14:33And he's gone.
14:34He's gone.
14:35He's gone.
14:36He's gone.
14:37And he's gone.
14:38And he's gone.
14:39first real offense but that's one of the offenses that referees have been told to
14:43stamp down on. Khadija had got away from him, there was no doubt that he was on
14:47his way to goal and he would have had a clear run to goal as well. Veselov
14:50pulled him back by the jersey and has been dismissed and the Soviet Union's
14:55hopes here in disarray, Ian. Well I don't think you could say it was harsh Alan
14:59because I mean he grabbed him by the jersey, threw him to the ground and as you
15:03see he was clear heading for goal and the referee had no option but to send
15:07him off. So the experienced Veselov dismissed early on in the second half
15:15in fact only three minutes of the second half gone and the Soviets already a goal
15:21down, now reduced to ten men and in real trouble and Adona takes the free kick
15:28not particularly well but gets it back, finds Alati Kacheya and dangerous
15:34kicking against Alati Kacheya, free kick to the Soviet Union, well what can they
15:39do about this situation now the Soviets. Erik Fredriksen having sent off Veselov
15:46who has a very very long walk back to the dressing rooms and a very lonely one
15:50as well.
15:53Sarasvale has hammered every free kick goal with so far, let's see if he does it
15:58again, he has, oh the keeper spilled it out and Khadija nearly profited
16:04but Uvarov grabbed it at the second attempt. Sarasvale's free kicks have been a
16:09real feature of this game, he can certainly hit the ball with power and
16:15accuracy. Argentina can't really afford to sit back and let the Soviet Union
16:21dictate play like this surely. Protasov on the left
16:30and the referees allow play to go on despite the challenge and the goalkeepers
16:34spilled it out and was nearly in trouble as Dobrovolski came in and the Soviets had a golden
16:40opportunity to equalize then. Dobrovolski could make nothing of it and
16:45Goy Kacheya can thank his lucky stars that he wasn't punished then Ian. Well
16:50that was great play by the Soviets and as the ball spilled out goodness me that
16:55was a great chance. So Argentina pressed forward having nearly conceded an
17:01equalizing goal at the other end on Arti Kacheya, Khadija. No free kick
17:17I know he was slightly unangled there but tried to knock it underneath the
17:21goalkeeper and it just hit him on the legs.
17:26We've rarely seen any clever free kicks have we in this World Cup, I think only
17:30America tried a clever free kick. It's mostly been blasters or people trying
17:35little benders. I think Maradona this time. And it is and it deflected
17:40dangerously towards Khadija and that wasn't a bad effort because the
17:43goalkeeper had come one way and he tried to direct it back to the other post
17:54free kick deflecting off the wall as the keeper scrambled to the right-hand post
17:58Khadija looked to the left. Argentina rather wasted the free kick
18:05Protasov for the Soviet Union. Malenikov. Malenikov's got away from his marker this time
18:11turns it back to Protasov. On to Zavarov and the shot carried no real conviction at all
18:19and he falls in a disappointed heap to the ground because he knows he's had two
18:24or three good chances Zavarov and wasted them all. Well it certainly was a bit of a
18:29chance again Alan and right plumb in front of goals. I know it's about 20 yards out
18:33but he just got underneath and hoisted it over the top
18:42Khadija Toulin coming up. So he's got Lukovic and he nearly got it for the goalkeeper. He's completely missed it
18:51Zavarov and Protasov could make nothing of the opportunity. Khadija Toulin
19:02Protasov again finds the shot blocked. Well the goalkeepers certainly lived on his luck a little bit here
19:09Goykachea
19:11Batista for Argentina. That's a nice ball. Kurochaga on the right
19:21Oh dear he's given it away again in a dangerous situation because the Soviets could have counterattacked quickly then
19:28and might still do now with Khadija Toulin. And here Basualdo having a rare battle out on the right
19:35Basualdo has won it as he's won so many important challenges tonight
19:40This is Khadija
19:44Maradona wanting the ball short. Kurochaga gets it instead and Uvarov got down well to save
19:57Marty Goykachea, Kurochaga, Trollio
20:04Good ball for Maradona. Khadija in a good position here and he looks for him
20:09Oh well, either Uvarov was the coolest man around then and dummied that one to fool Khadija
20:15Oh he was very lucky indeed here
20:17I think we've seen some eccentric goalkeeping at either end of the ground
20:20He came out and tried to punch it and completely missed it
20:27I think it was a good standing in front of the ball and not allowing him to take a quick free kick
20:31Here he is though in possession of the ball doing what he does best
20:36And looking for Kurochaga and Kurochaga's onside
20:39And Kurochaga should have scored hard for the crowd thought he had
20:45Well he went for the tight angle. Again Maradona magic
20:49A lovely little ball, beat everybody beyond the far post
20:52And looking for the tight angle. To be fair to him it was coming quickly off the ground and really not a good angle for him
21:00But the little man you see is beginning just to creep into the game a little bit more
21:05That famous left foot of his can place it anywhere
21:08But the ball was sort of spinning away there towards the dead ball line and he was coming in at a bad angle
21:13I wouldn't have dared
21:15Kuznetsov and Litovchenko and Zavorov the three players over the ball
21:23Litovchenko hits it and it could have gone anywhere then as it rebounded off the Argentine wall
21:30Here's Khadija on the counter attack for the world champions
21:37Kurochaga, Troglio
21:43Referee says play on and play on they have
21:46And play on it to great effect because Kurochaga has scored the goal that Argentina wanted
21:53Against the run of play it may have been
21:56But they all count Argentina 2, the Soviet Union nil
22:01And Argentina now can look forward almost certainly to going through
22:09It was a shambles of a goal really because
22:13There the referee could have given a free kick, decided to play on, the pass back went all wrong
22:19And there was Kurochaga to slip it into the net
22:21But don't forget Alan, it all stemmed from great Maradona playing way back in his own penalty area
22:26But that was a horrendous pass back
22:29In a way I've got to feel a little bit sorry for the Soviets but
22:32You know that was suicidal to do that
22:35But it all stemmed from Maradona picking the ball up in his own penalty area
22:38Coming out with it, playing a lovely ball down the line
22:41And the result was a goal at the other end
22:43So Argentina lead by 2 goals to nil
22:47And that surely will be enough to earn them the points here
22:52And suddenly that opening day defeat against Cameroon looks a distant memory
23:00As Ian was saying it was one of the scrappiest goals we've seen in this World Cup so far
23:04With the referee thinking about a free kick, waving play on
23:07The Soviet defenders apparently didn't know what to do
23:11And Kurochaga taking advantage of their confusion
23:14But a goal it was
23:16Maradona again
23:18Now Kurochaga
23:20Back to Maradona
23:21And they can relax a little bit now
23:23Argentina with a 2 goal lead
23:25And he looks for Khadija
23:27Good header again
23:28But this time straight at goalkeeper Uvarov
23:31What a ball
23:32What a perfect ball put across by Maradona
23:35The pressure's off as you say Alan now
23:38The pressure's off as you say Alan now
23:40They can relax, they can play a bit
23:42And I think that was the nail in the coffin
23:44As far as the Soviets are concerned
23:46I think they put up a tremendous show in the second half
23:49All credit to them
23:50In fact they came out in the second half
23:52The two white men, they looked as if they were going to have a real positive goal
23:55Lost a player right away
23:57But have got stuck in
23:58And you have to say have been rather unlucky
24:02Yes with the exception of losing goalkeeper Pompidou early on in the game
24:06Most of the luck going tonight has gone Argentina's way
24:09The gods have been smiling on them in Naples
24:17Khadija Turin knocking it short for Litovchenko
24:21Tremendous effort by the substitute
24:26But into the side netting
24:31Really hit that sweetly here
24:34Certainly hit it sweetly all the way, a lot of power in it
24:38It would be lovely if the Soviets couldn't get one
24:40Because I think that would be...
24:47Alartic a chair for Argentina
24:52Burrachaga
24:54And loads of space on the right
24:56Vazvaldo going through
24:57And good save by the goalkeeper
24:59But back it came
25:01And Trollio missed it
25:05Well, the gaps have opened up now
25:08Not surprisingly in the Soviet defence
25:11Yeah you have to say that
25:12You know they've run themselves into the ground in the second half
25:14Haaland would be in a man's shot
25:16And that was a very good chance again for them
25:24And Batista will happily turn it all the way back
25:26And it may go even further back to the goalkeeper
25:28Even though Simon comes forward
25:29But it matters not now
25:30That's the end of the match
25:33Argentina have beaten the Soviet Union
25:36By two goals to nil
25:37There is delight on the terraces of the San Paolo Stadium
25:41The home of Napoli
25:42The adopted home of Maradona and Argentina
25:45For this first phase of the World Cup
25:47The Soviet Union could probably be on their way out now
25:50Goals by Trollio and Burrachaga
25:52Giving Argentina a 2-0 win
25:54More reflections on the game after the break