In Part I, we saw Italy stop a German march, Nigeria turn a Spanish World Cup on its head, and Sweden knock out a tournament favorite in the first round. What's in store for Part II? Let's get back to the countdown.
#7 - Senegal 3, Uruguay 3, 2002 Group Stage
There was plenty on the line when Senegal met Uruguay on June 11, 2002. With a surprising 4 points from their first 2 games, Senegal needed only a draw to guarantee qualification for the knockout stages, a remarkable would-be achievement in their first ever World Cup. Uruguay had only 1 point through 2 games, but a win would likely secure their ticket to the second round. Neither that background nor the game's outcome is why this match makes the list. Senegal-Uruguay was shocking for the way it played out.
Senegal had played their first 2 matches with real verve, and they started this one in similar fashion. They attacked in numbers and made a breakthrough in the 20th minute. It was thanks to a dubious penalty call, but Khalilou Fadiga graciously accepted the gift and made no mistake with the spot kick. Six minutes later, Papa Bouba Diop doubled Senegal's lead skillfully finishing off a rapid counter-attack. Diop, who also makes my "Best Names All-Tournament Team", wasn't done as he scored again in the 38th minute. 3-0 Senegal, and they were dancing towards the second round.
Then it all nearly went to hell. The story of what happened next begins and ends with Uruguayan forward Richard Morales. The burly striker came on at halftime and scored just 1 minute into the second half, a glimmer of hope for the Uruguayans but nothing more. They needed 3 more goals. That glimmer became stronger in the 69th minute when Diego Forlan unleashed an unstoppable volley from 25 yards out. 3-2. It was that man Morales again in the 88th minute when he drew a penalty that Alvaro Recoba converted to tie the game. Senegal was falling apart, and one more goal would have given Uruguay one of the most remarkable comebacks in World Cup history. It should have happened. In the dying seconds of the game, a crazy play left Morales with an open header and the goal gaping. He responded with a miss for the ages.
With that, the opportunity was gone. Senegal held on by the skin of their teeth and Uruguay went home haunted by what could have been.
#6 - Germany 4, Argentina 0, 2010 Quarter-final
Every World Cup there are a few games that need to be circled, and as soon as the 2010 quarter-final match ups were set, Germany vs. Argentina required a pen. This game had it going on - 5 world cup titles between the countries, the 2 highest scoring teams at South Africa 2010, a rematch of their 2006 World Cup quarterfinal. And that's before you even get to the players: Miroslav Klose, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and, of course, Leonel Messi. Could Messi, the most decorated club footballer in the world, achieve similar heights on the international stage? Could Argentina's
Whoops. It took only 3 minutes for Argentina's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day to begin as Germany's Thomas Muller opened the scoring with a header off a free kick. To be fair, Argentina looked lively after the goal and had the better of the play for the remainder of the first half. Messi buzzed around the field combining with Tevez, Higuain and Angel Di Maria, but the final ball was consistently just off. Messi painted a frustrated figure.
Still, it was only 1-0 at halftime with the final outcome very much in question. Coming out of the break, Argentina looked the more likely to score, so it was a bit of a surprise when Germany doubled their lead on 68 minutes. Muller put Lucas Podolski behind the defense, and Podolski's cross found a wide-open Klose who needed only to walk the ball into the net. It then fell apart for Argentina. Six minutes later, the Argentine defense did their best impression of a white flag as Schweinsteiger cantered past three defenders and laid the ball on a platter for Arne Friedrich. 3-0. The Germans put the cherry on top in the 89th minute when Klose got his second off a beautiful cross from Mesut Ozil. Adding insult to injury, Messi had a chance for a consolation goal with the last kick of the game, but his shot ended in the hands of the German keeper. Argentina's star would go home from South Africa without a goal.
#5 - Slovakia 3, Italy 2, 2010 Group Stage
Each World Cup, you'll inevitably hear about a "Group of Death". Some combination of a tournament favorite, an under seeded traditional powerhouse and a plucky upstart (or two) come together to form a group in which all participants wish they had no part. 2010's Group F was no such group. It was almost upsetting how easy a path Italy had to the knockout stages. With them in Group F was Paraguay, a perennially decent side but little more. There was New Zealand who hadn't qualified for a World Cup since 1982 and cares much more about rugby. And there was Slovakia which hadn't reached its 20th birthday as an independent state much less compete in a World Cup.
It was surprising when Italy made a slow start of it in the group. They raised some eyebrows trying Paraguay 1-1 in the opening game, and brows became seriously furrowed when Italy managed only a 1-1 draw against New Zealand. New Zealand! Still, the Italians remained in control of their own destiny. Italy would guarantee a ticket to the second round with a win against last-place Slovakia in the final group game. Even a tie would likely see Italy through. The prevailing thinking was something along the lines of, "Ok Italy. Haha, you've messed around for two games. Now get your act together, or your tournament will come to a swift end in the Round of 16."
Any thoughts that Italy would casually restore order were banished 25 minutes into the game. Italian midfielder Danielle De Rossi turned the ball over just outside his own penalty box, and while the Italian defense mentally processed the giveaway, Slovakia pounced. They played a quick through ball which Robert Vittek ran onto and first-timed past keeper Federico Marchetti. It got worse for the Italians midway through the second half. In the 73rd minute, Slovakia saw their corner kick headed back towards the corner flag. Not waiting for the ball to hit the ground, Marek Hamsik took a second bite of the apple, and the Italian defense was a step slow reacting. Vittek beat his man to the near post and slotted home. 2-0 Slovakia and a long way back for Italy.
It was around this time that Italy woke up, and Antonio Di Natale finished off a move of real quality in the 81st minute to bring the Italians within one goal of advancement. Three minutes later, Italy thought they had their golden goal, but it was disallowed for a very close offsides call. Italy looked in the mood, but they inexplicably switched off again when they allowed Slovakia's Kamil Kopunek to run behind the defense unmarked off a throw in. Kopunek coolly dinked the ball over the keeper, and Slovakia were racing through to uncharted territory. Italy briefly restored the drama with a Fabio Quagliarella wonder-chip in the 92nd minute, but it was too late. Slovakia were through while Italy, the defending champions, were out at the group stage for the first time in 36 years.
To see Part I (#10 - 8), click here. To see Part III (#4 - 1) click here.