The 1982 tournament was also the first where penalty shoot-out was introduced to break a tie.
But things could have been different.
The tournament began with one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
On the third day of the tournament, Algeria defeated West Germany 2-1.
West Germany at that time were the most dominant force in world football.
After winning the UEFA Euro 1980, they cruised through qualification winning all of their eight qualifying matches.
With a string of successes behind them, the West German team was buoyant with confidence.
They saw their first match against the lowly Algeria as a cakewalk.
Before the game, one of the players boasted that they could trounce Algeria while smoking cigars.
Had West Germany done their homework, they would have known what a formidable team they were up against.
During their final round of qualifying matches they beat the much stronger team Nigeria twice.
The match of 16 June 1982 proved to be a revelation.
The first half finished goal-less, with the Germans defending far more than they had expected.
But it was the second half, where Algeria really shined.
The brilliant Rabah Madjer gave Algeria a well-deserving lead on the 54th minute.
Soon, opportunity would present itself again for the Germans and to eventual victory.
Algeria almost scored a third, before the final whistle brought the outstanding match to an end.
No African team had ever defeated a European team at the World Cup before.
The entire football world was stunned.
But there was another factor in the equation.
Group standing before the West Germany-Austria match.
West Germany began attacking furiously and within ten minutes took the lead.
After that the game came to a virtual halt.
Even the German supporters were disappointed, with one fan reportedly burning his countrys flag.
you’re free to say what you like, but not every end justifies the means.
Austrian commentator Robert Seeger bemoaned the spectacle, and asked viewers to turn off their television sets.
But the West Germans were unapologetic; they returned fire with water bombs.
In West Germany, one headline shouted SHAME ON YOU!
A former German player called all 22 players gangsters.
Algerian fans show money during the match between West Germany and Austria to indicate the match was fixed.
Algeria filed a complaint to FIFA, but the authority board found no evidence of tampering or illegality.
Both teams denied any collusion, of course.
Writing forThe Guardian, Rob Smyth had another look at the video of the match.
He observed:
The video of the game is thus a surprise.
A goal then would have put West Germany out….
The last 10 minutes are terrible….
The outcome gave a whole new meaning to winning ugly.
They beat France on penalties to proceed to the final, eventually losing to the winners Italy.
