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Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

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Stevie Nicks Bootleg said:
I know you're s*** hot on your WC history, so you'll know/remember them scraping out the group as runners-up to face Morocco in 1986...then got Mexico in the quarters and before you know it, they're in another final!!
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Indeed - and that time the Germans manipulated the draw by dialling in a performance against Denmark to lose 0-2 in the last group game. Group winners Denmark got Spain - and crushed 5-1 - while runners-up West Germany eventually saw off Morocco. That was when the Germans were smart... As you say, hosts Mexico were up next - the weakest possible last eight opposition. Then they did what they do better than anyone, lift their game to beat a top side, in this case France. Let's face it, even in the final that side overperformed, coming back from the dead to scare the Argentinians. Then again, that side had some incredible all-time greats: Rummenigge (though blunted by injury at that point), an emerging Matthäus, Völler, Schumacher, Briegel, Brehme... They were painted as functional, but that list of names alone is enough to give the lie to that.

The current side couldn't manipulate their armbands. In their current state, they'll do very well indeed to qualify at all. Even if they do, Morocco will give them a proper game. Badou Zaki's save from Rummenigge will live long in the memory. Maybe this time they'll get their revenge.
 
Stevie Nicks Bootleg said:
Aye...i remember that and them getting Arnesen sent off late on- so they missed one of their key men for that shocker vs Spain. Lousy that. Loved that Danish team.
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That Danish team was glorious. They were very naive at times - Arnesen was an idiot and immediately knew he was goosed - and they tended to take liberties (Olsen's blind pass across his own box against Spain), but they were magnificent to watch. Morten Olsen, Arnesen, Elkjaer, Laudrup, Lerby... Class players. Spain proved their bêtes noires, though for some reason, eliminating them in 1984, 1986, 1988 and even in 1994. For some reason, they always had the Danes' number.
 
Stevie Nicks Bootleg said:
...and that France game...so frustrating. I recall Platini miming kicking Schumacker in the head after 'Toni' collected a ball in the last few minutes to deny them again. lol
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I think France could have played West Germany forever and never won. After Seville - and World War II, for that matter - I think there was a huge inferiority complex. The Germans did them twice in a row at World Cups (Schumacher decisive each time). One of the great unknowns is that if the Germans hadn't melted down as holders at Euro 84, would France have even won that tournament. France were undoubtedly the best side in that competition, but the Germans would have spooked them. We'll never know to what effect.
 



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