World Cup Wanderers: Spain 1982

Ahead of this summer's competition in Russia, bwfc.co.uk gets in the mood by reviewing all former editions of the biggest tournament in football and the World Cup Wanderers who were in action!

As the start of the 2018 World Cup nears closer, we relive Spain 1982 in the latest edition of our preview series.

PHIL NEAL
England
Appearances:
2
Goals:
0
Stage reached: 
Second Round

PETER SHILTON
England
Appearances:
5
Goals:
0
Stage reached:
Second Round

The 1982 World Cup saw England qualify for their first World Cup finals since 1970, with future Wanderers manager Phil Neal and goalkeeper Peter Shilton both named in manager Ron Greenwood's 22-man squad.

Already seasoned England internationals, the duo boasted 37 caps apiece by the start of the tournament having made their Three Lions debuts in 1976 and 1970 respectively, while they also held five European Cup winner's medals between them courtesy of Liverpool and Nottingham Forest's triumphs in the competition in 1977, 1978, 1978, 1980 and 1981.

The pair featured in five and four of England's eight qualifiers respectively as the Three Lions reached the finals in Spain with four wins and a draw.

Both players were also handed the captain's armband by Greenwood in the build-up to the tournament, with Shilton leading England in a 2-0 friendly win over the Netherlands at Wembley before Neal was named skipper for a 1-1 friendly draw away against Iceland.

Facing off against France in their opening game, Shilton saw off the challenge of Ray Clemence to be England's first-choice goalkeeper and was an ever-present throughout the tournament.

Starting in memorable fashion against the French, Bryan Robson fired England ahead spectacularly in the first minute only for Gerard Soler to equalise midway through the first half with what would prove to be the only goal Shilton and the Three Lions would concede throughout the tournament.

Robson restored England's lead with his second of the game midway through the second half, with Paul Mariner extending their lead late on as Neal was introduced as a 90th minute substitute to help see out a 3-1 victory.

Shilton kept the first of four clean sheets in the Three Lions' next group game against Czechoslovakia as Trevor Francis gave them the lead shortly after the hour-mark before a Jozef Barmos own goal wrapped up a 2-0 win.

With their place in the second round already secured, Greenwood handed Neal what would prove to be his only start of the tournament against Kuwait as Francis' solitary goal sealed a 1-0 win and saw England progress with a 100% winning record.

Drawn in a second round group with West Germany and hosts Spain, Shilton kept two clean sheets as the Three Lions fought out two 0-0 draws.

However, it was not enough to reach the semi-finals as they exited the competition without losing a game courtesy of West Germany's victory over Spain.

Neal would win a further ten caps under new manager Bobby Robson before his international career came to an end, with his appearance against Kuwait proving to be his final major tournament appearance.

Meanwhile Shilton would remain England's first-choice goalkeeper for the rest of the decade, starting in both the 1986 and 1990 World Cup before retiring as the Three Lions' record appearance-holder with 125 caps.

ASA HARTFORD
Scotland
Appearances:
1
Goals:
0
Stage reached: 
First Round

Having suffered a group-stage exit at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, it proved to be a case of history repeating itself for Asa Hartford and Scotland as the Tartan Army's early exit brought his international career to an end.

The midfielder was unused for the Scots' opening game as goals from Kenny Dalglish, John Robertson, Steve Archibald and a John Wark brace helped clinch a 5-2 win over New Zealand.

Hartford started Scotland's second game against Brazil but was withdrawn after 68 minutes in what would prove to be his final international appearance as goals from Zico, Oscar, Eder and Falcao saw them suffer a heavy 4-1 defeat despite taking an early lead through David Narey.

Facing off against Soviet Union in their final group game needing to win to progress in the competition courtesy of an inferior goal difference, Joe Jordan fired Scotland into an early lead only for them to be pegged back by Aleksandre Chivadze's equaliser on the hour-mark.

Falling behind to a Ramaz Shengelia effort, Graeme Souness gave Scotland hope late on but they were unable to find a winner as a 2-2 draw saw them exit the competition.

Read Time: 4 mins