According to the Brazilian footballer Zico, July 5, 1982 was “the day football died.” It was seven in the evening Central European Time to be precise when the referee blew the final whistle.
In Melbourne, Australia, it was three in the morning on Tuesday July 6. But, paradoxically it was the night football came alive for a curious fifteen year old on the other side of the world.
To understand this, you need to travel back in time with me to that momentous night.
Back in those days only one international football match was broadcast live into our living rooms and that was the F.A. Cup Final from Wembley Stadium.
It was Australia’s yearly reminder that football was not a subversive foreign agent played by “wogs”, but a gift from the mother country to the rest of the world.
In 1982 something remarkable happened. Our state broadcaster, the ABC, decided to not only show the final of the World Cup, as had been the case in the previous two editions, but to broadcast some matches leading to the final.
This is how it came to be, that on a dreary winter’s night in Melbourne, I stayed up to watch the decisive second round match between Brazil and Italy.
The two teams walked on to the pitch at the Sarria Stadium in blazing Barcelona sunshine. The stands were heaving with barely dressed, flag waving fans. Firecrackers were being let off. This was a party and I felt lucky to be invited.
The match commenced and I could not believe what I was watching. I had never seen anything like it. All those hours watching English football highlights shows had never prepared me for this type of football. The Brazilian played like sun kissed gods with their confidence, grace and athleticism. The Italians were more than worthy opponents with their intelligent play.
A draw was enough for the Brazilians to progress through to the semi-final. But, after just having leveled the scores deep into the second half, the kept going forward with buccaneering abandon. Led by their charismatic leader Socrates they were going to march to the final by executing the most beautiful World Cup victory in the history of football, and we were all invited along for the ride of our lives.
However, it was not to be. Paolo Rossi completed his famous opportunistic hat-trick after another defensive lapse. Brazil to the disappointment of millions of fans around the globe had been knocked out.
Meanwhile, back in Melbourne I went to bed in the thinking I had just seen was the football equivalent of man landing on the moon.
History will record the Italians went on to win the World Cup in 1982, the vanquished Brazilian team of 1982 became one of the most loved, and their gifted midfield (Socrates, Zico, Falcao, Cerezo) recognized as the most formidable to have graced the game.
For Socrates he went on to live his most “perfect moment” later that year as he led Corinthians to the Sao Paulo state championship. With football clubs in Brazil still treating players as if they were delinquent teenagers, Socrates and his team mate Wladimir overthrew the club hierarchy and introduced Corinthians Democracy. A system which allowed players a direct say on team matters by the simple revolutionary process of voting.
In a country ruled by the military they voted to wear “Democracia” on their shirts as they won the championship in a public display of defiance.
The tragic, untimely, death of Socrates has given a cause for many people around the world to reflect on the influence of a great footballer and an even greater man. He will be missed.
Athas Zafiris is on Twitter @ArtSapphire
FabPhil
Roar Rookie
Brazil's team in 82 was by far the most splendid and aesthetic to grace the pitch. Pity they suffered the doom of the artist but I think the loss to Italy has made them bigger than they could have been even if they'd won it. Great piece, and a cheerio to the late Socrates.
Bondy
Nice read Athas , I remember vaguely Socrates and Paulo Rossi i think Rossi was the golden boot winner that cup and the old F.A.Cup's direct live form England i think it was midnight eastern states . How vastly technology has changed since then it's amazing . Strong win by your blokes Art .
Johnno
Guest
A greta tribute clip on youtube it goes for 8 minutes good to see bits of it. Also a young Dieago Maradona at 3min 20. Funny there are some similarities to this Brazil 82 team and the 1995 ALL BLACK world cup team. Both teams were arguably one of the greatest teams ever assembled if not the greatest in there sports but both missed out onw inning there world cups in there chosen sports for whatever the reasons,. Good little clip with socrates in it a lot to, so much colour form the Brazil fans , Brazil 82 , reminds me of soccer's destiny 06, even though the soccer's did not win the world cup unluckily didn't get to at least quarter finals losing to winers italy in a controversial lucas neil penalty, they were the energy and the exude passion of football, of world cup 2006 in Germany. Enjoy the 2 tribute clips everyone. http://youtu.be/jnoz4NuYMU8 http://youtu.be/Jeei3_chBJc
sheek
Guest
Thanks Guys, Sharing memories & insights are two of the benefits of this site. I remember the 1982 world cup vaguely, since I wasn't a hardcore fan. And I remember the Brazilians with their flair & short shorts. I also remember being disappointed when Italy eliminated them.
Swampy
Guest
I was a bit young to remember exactly what happened in 82 (8 yrs old) but Brazil & Argentina in 86 were whom turned football to more than just an interest sport that I played every winter and into a passion. Names like Zico, Socrates, Falco seemed so exotic to me and their football matched the exotic nature of their names. Socrates proved to be more than just a footballer - something that is rarely seen amongst the spoilt brats of today's generation. RIP. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Thanks Mick, right you are.
Johnno
Guest
R.I.P Socrates. Funny 2 of Brazil's greatest ever genusies Garrincha and Socrates, were both troubled men, throw in another genus too George Best and Maradona at times. All 4 such genuises but all 4 so troubled. Some creative people over the years have had problems with Drugs and alcohol, and emotional problems adjusting to every day life, but in there work they are amazing. Flawed genuises are many
Mick
Guest
Socrates scored to make it 1 -1 v Itally & Falcao scored to make it 2 - 2. From what I have seen Socrates seemed to be everywhere in this game, 5 minute package of the match http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgRpRTbk1oo&feature=player_embedded#! I like the run of the ball for Brazil's 2nd goal which drew 3 defenders but every goal Brazil scored in 1982 had something about it
AL
Guest
Great artical - RIP Socrates. He and the other 82 and 86 Brazilian side played without fear in their hearts.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Good article. It's worth mentioning that in that famous 1982 world cup game, it was actually Socrates himself who tied it up at 2-2 mid way through the 2nd half, seemingly landing Brazil the semi-final berth which in most people's minds, already had their name on it before the start of the game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JcqvD36o1k That one was good, but this one is even better, also from the 1982 WC final, it was Brazil's first match of the comp, the USSR were leading 1-0 at HT, and Brazil came back with two of the very best goals of the tournament to win it, including this one from Socrates that would tie it up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkq4fVKzibY He was a true leader on the field, he had it all, and exceptional player, and time again, he'd put his hand up to bring his team back into the game. The winner from Eder was even better. For completeness, it's worth recalling two other facts: 1. Craig Johnston co-hosted these 1982 matches witih Peter Wilkins (as they did again in 1986); and 2. In 1978, the ABC actually telecast 3 other matches besides the final: the opening nil-all draw between West Germany and Poland; the the Holland vs Italy 2-1 2nd round game; and the 3rd vs 4th play-off between Brazil and Italy, when Brazil came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1.