Finally, Argentina vs. West Germany in Final

By GRAHAME L. JONES

June 29, 1986 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

MEXICO CITY —

The last goal West Germany scored in a World Cup final was the one Paul Breitner blasted past Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff in Madrid in 1982.

Coming late in the game, it was, at best, a token gesture, since Italy already had built a comfortable 3-0 lead. But Breitner’s goal also meant something else. It was an indication, almost a warning, that the West Germans would return.

Today, they do so. Four years after being chased out of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium by Paolo Rossi and company, they are back for a record fifth appearance on international soccer’s most brightly lit stage.

This time, West Germany shares the spotlight with Argentina, an opponent Breitner, for one, does not believe should be as heavily favored as it is.

The reason, of course, that Argentina is being widely picked to add a second world championship to the one it won in 1978 is the presence in their team of Diego Maradona. Of all the World Cup stars, Maradona has been the most visible in Mexico.

Today’s game at Azteca Stadium (11 a.m. PDT, Channels 4 and 34) pits the Argentines’ speed and guile (remember Maradona’s hand-ball goal against England) against the West Germans’ strength and tenacity.

Breitner, who also scored a goal in the 1974 World Cup final at Munich when West Germany defeated the Netherlands, believes strength and tenacity can triumph.

“Our play is based on strength, on physical condition, not so much on technique,” he said last week. “However, Germany is a better team than many others that have participated in the Cup.

“In 1974, we won the Cup because we had stars. Now, Germany is different. It is a team, a complete squad that has been a surprise . . . even for us.”

Breitner, 35, is not a member of the West German team this time around, but he is close enough to the players to refer to them as “we.”

“We don’t worry about Maradona,” he said. “We don’t worry about Argentina. On Sunday, we will play the easiest match because we have nothing to lose. The Argentine people are ready to celebrate the victory, as well as everybody else.

“Maradona is the star and, because of that, we will go onto the field with no responsibility. That’s why it was easy to beat France. They (the French players) had responsibility. It was the revenge for what happened in Seville (in the 1982 World Cup when West Germany advanced at France’s expense from the semifinals).”

Argentine Coach Carlos Bilardo has said his team’s strategy today will be simple. His players will counter the West Germans’ physical style of play with quick passes and constant offensive pressure “so that they can’t catch their breath,” he said.

But Bilardo is the first to admit that even that will not guarantee success. When a journalist suggested before the semifinals that Argentina must be considered the tournament favorite, Bilardo quickly interrupted him.

“There are no favorite teams,” he said. “The favorite ones have already left. The remaining four have the same opportunities.”

Now the question is, do the remaining two have the same opportunities? On the surface, the answer would seem to be no. Argentina appears to have the better arsenal.

“We have a strong and disciplined defense, not very typical of Argentine soccer,” said Argentina’s Jorge Valdano, Maradona’s partner on the forward line. “And for attacking, we have in Maradona an Exocet (the French missile used during the 1982 war over the Falkland Islands).”

The West Germans have some experience with missiles, however, and, as Breitner said: “Germany has improved its play as the circumstances have required it.”

Today, the circumstances require a discipline and a will beyond anything required before. West Germany will not only have to be unyielding on defense but will also have to find the time--and the way--to manufacture a goal or two for itself.

Breitner believes it is possible.

“I think many of the World Cup teams have forgotten the most important thing--winning,” he said. “Many have gone out on the field to show off individually and in a group, to give a show. We go out with the aim of scoring goals.”

Of course, so does Maradona, and he has been more successful in doing so. In their six games leading to today’s championship, the West Germans have have scored a total of six goals. Maradona, in the same number of outings, has scored five by himself, and his team has 11.

The final word belongs to Belgian Coach Guy Thys, whose team was beaten by Argentina in the semifinals but who is very familiar with West German soccer.

“Nobody expected Germany to defeat France,” he said, “but anything is possible in soccer. Physical condition is the most important thing in the semifinals and final, and Germany showed its physical condition.

“Both countries in the final can become the champion. Personally, I think Maradona can win the Cup for Argentina.”

THE ROAD TO THE WORLD CUP FINAL

ARGENTINA World Cup Qualifying

May 26, 1985. San Cristobal, Venezuela: Argentina 3, Venezuela 2.

June 2, 1985. Bogota, Colombia: Argentina 3, Colombia 1.

June 9, 1985. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Argentina 3, Venezuela 0.

June 16, 1985. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Argentina 1, Colombia 0.

June 23, 1985. Lima, Peru: Peru 1, Argentina 0.

June 30, 1985. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Argentina 2, Peru 2.

World Cup Finals

June 2, 1986. Mexico City: Argentina 3, South Korea 1.

June 5, 1986. Puebla, Mexico: Argentina 1, Italy 1.