WFI‘s Adam Brandon counts down to Russia 2018 with 90 World Cup goals in 90 days, scored in the minute corresponding to the day in the countdown.
Context
England, having won the World Cup in 1966 and performed well in 1970, failed to qualify for the two World Cups during the 1970s. So by the time the 1982 World Cup had come around, there were many who had never seen England compete in a World Cup.
Under the management of Ron Greenwood, England headed into the 1982 World Cup in Spain with expectations quite low but they would soon rise rapidly.
The Goal
12 years of hurt at being left out of the World Cup ends in 27 seconds:
What Happened Next?
England got an impressive 3-1 victory and followed it up with wins against Czechoslovakia and Kuwait, despite missing two key players in the shape of Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking.
In the next round they faced Spain and West Germany. A 0-0 draw against the West Germans meant they had to beat the hosts by two goals to qualify for the semi-finals.
Brooking and Keegan entered the fray with half an hour remaining and both missed chances as the game finished goalless. That sent England home downbeat yet undefeated.