World Cup time travel – June 23.6.1982, XNUMX: Italy trembles against Cameroon

On June 23, 1982, Italy and Cameroon faced each other in Spain on the last day of the preliminary round. All previous games in the group, which also included Poland and Peru, had ended in a draw. However, based on the number of goals scored, it was already clear that another draw against Cameroon would be enough for Italy to advance.

North Korea debacle as a bogeyman However, a defeat against the “indomitable lions” would have meant the end. Memories of the debacle of 1966 have already been brought back in the Italian media, when the “Azzurri” lost 0-1 to underdogs North Korea - thanks to a dentist's hit... - and had to go home. There the players were welcomed by the fans with tomatoes and rotten eggs.

The match against Cameroon started very slowly, both teams didn't want to make any mistakes. However, as soon as the “Azzurri” got shots on goal, they found their master in the excellent Cameroon goalkeeper, Thomas N'Kono. Cameroon goalie N'Kono almost insurmountable N'Kono only had a weakness or bad luck once: when Graziani headed the ball, the goalie slipped briefly and had to watch as the ball bounced into the goal.

However, Italy's joy was short-lived, as Cameroon managed to equalize with their next attack: Gregoire M'Bida got to the ball quicker than goalkeeper Dino Zoff and scored - Cameroon's first-ever World Cup goal.

Italy tried to take the lead again in the last half hour in order not to have to worry about promotion, but failed because of N'Kono and once against the crossbar. Continued without a win, eliminated without a loss So it remained 1:1 and the Azzurri's winless and lackluster rise. Cameroon, on the other hand, had to go home without defeat. Ultimately, the decisive factor was that Italy played 1-1 against Peru and Cameroon only 0-0. This one more goal scored was the deciding factor.

After this preliminary round, no one would have believed what glorious weeks lay ahead for the “Azzurri” – until they won the World Cup.

A folk festival awaited the undefeated “Lions” of Cameroon on their return in the capital Yaoundé. And goalkeeper N'Kono had a special souvenir with him: a contract with Spanish first division club Racing Santander.

In the video you can see some memories of this event from an Italian perspective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RkvNWoXa1Y

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World Cup time travel – June 23.6.1982, XNUMX: Italy trembles against Cameroon

During the 2018 World Cup, SportNews will be looking back daily at highlights that happened on the same day at one of the previous World Cups. This time we remember June 23rd, 36 years ago.

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