Silver Road and Golden Stripes, Yet Another Football TL

[Wings]

England would see their Nations League run stopped dead in its tracks by a strong Soviet squad led by a Protasov-Belanov duo just unstoppable, which even England's stark striker Gary Lineker couldn't match, the Soviets winning both games, and advanced to the final to meet France, who beat Czechoslovakia by a slim margin in a low intensity confrontation.

English players look disappointed as Gary Lineker hits the post at Old Trafford during the return leg against the Soviet Union

 

[Wings]

The final of this edition of the Nations League would pit two teams no one expected to make the final, let alone contest the title. The Soviet Union were hailed as a strong team, but never one of the top dogs in the tournament, while France were slumping ever since the end of the 1986 World Cup, and were not expected to be on this level either. The Soviets came in as the favorites, but their offensive duo comprising of Oleg Protasov and Igor Belanov, on fire versus England, failed to be of any danger here. France played with a very low defensive block, and were dangerous in counter-attacks, but failed to really endanger Dasayev. This ended with both halves being quite dull, and with subsitutions on both sides being ineffective. The game thus went into overtime, and the French were the first to show signs of exhaustion, with the Soviets keeping up but slowly becoming tired as well. As everyone thought this was going to penalties, a Soviet cross by Guennadi Litovshenko found Sergei Baltacha (who substituted Gotsmanov earlier on) alone in the box. The midfielder did not falter and sent the strike straight into the french net, earning the Soviet Union its first ever Nations League title.

Spoiler

France and the Soviet Union battle it out during the first half

Soviet striker Igor Belanov during the early stages of overtime

The Soviet squad celebrates as the final whistle is blown, earning them their first ever title

 

[Wings]

Winners: Soviet Union - 1st title
Top Scorers: Jean-Pierre Papin (FRA), Roberto Mancini (ITA) & Gary Lineker (ENG) - 4 goals

1988-89 Participants:
Europe: Netherlands (17), West Germany (34), Italy (33), Sweden (20), Soviet Union (30), England (34), Spain (33), Yugoslavia (26), Denmark (5), Romania (10), Czechoslovakia (29), Ireland (2), France (19)
South America: Brazil (34), Uruguay (22)
North America: Mexico (11)

Final Location: Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Bracket Order
England v Yugoslavia
Netherlands v Uruguay
Sweden v France
West Germany v Ireland
Italy v Denmark
Spain v Mexico
Brazil v Romania
Soviet Union v Czechoslovakia

 

[Wings]

Paraguay v Algeria 2-1 / 0-2
South Korea v Greece 0-2 / 0-2
Portugal v Egypt 0-0 / 0-3
Hungary v Iran 4-0 / 2-2
Switzerland v Ivory Coast 3-1 / 2-2
East Germany v Saudi Arabia 6-0 / 2-1
Bulgaria v Iraq 3-3 / 1-2
Belgium v Cameroon 2-1 / 2-0
Poland v Peru 2-1 / 2-0
Australia v Morocco 2-1 / 2-4
Colombia v Norway 1-1 / 0-2
Denmark v Finland 1-1 / 1-1 aet 3-1 pen
Wales v Northern Ireland 4-0 / 1-1
Scotland v Zambia 2-1 / 0-0
Austria v Malawi 3-0 / 3-1
Chile v Israel 0-3 / 1-2

Algeria v Greece 3-2 / 2-1
Egypt v Hungary 1-2 / 2-2
Switzerland v East Germany 2-0 / 4-3
Iraq v Belgium 1-2 / 0-3
Poland v Morocco 1-3 / 0-1
Norway v Denmark 0-2 / 1-1
Wales v Scotland 1-0 / 2-1
Austria v Israel 4-0 / 1-1

Algeria v Hungary 1-1 / 0-1
Switzerland v Belgium 2-1 / 1-4
Morocco v Denmark 0-0 / 0-2
Wales v Austria 1-1 / 1-1 aet 5-4 pen

Hungary v Belgium 0-4 / 0-1
Denmark v Wales 3-2 / 1-0

Belgium v Denmark 2-0 / 0-0
Winners: Belgium - 2nd title

1988-89 Participants:
Europe: Belgium (7), Poland (5), Portugal (10), Scotland (10), East Germany (2), Hungary (12), Wales (15), Austria (11), Bulgaria (18), Switzerland (15), Norway (7), Greece (17), Turkey (10), Northern Ireland (18), Israel (17), Finland (2)
South America: Colombia (7), Argentina (1), Chile (17), Paraguay (18), Ecuador (1)
North America: Costa Rica (3), United States (2)
Africa: Egypt (18), Cameroon (12), Ivory Coast (7), Algeria (13), Nigeria (10), Morocco (16)
Asia: South Korea (15), Iraq (11)
Oceania: Australia (15)

Bracket Order
Poland v Turkey
East Germany v Greece
Bulgaria v USA
Portugal v Ecuador
Cameroon v Morocco
Wales v Switzerland
Egypt v Algeria
South Korea v Norway
Hungary v Costa Rica
Belgium v Finland
Paraguay v Iraq
Argentina v Nigeria
Austria v Israel
Scotland v Northern Ireland
Colombia v Australia
Chile v Ivory Coast

 

[Wings]

There were little surprises during this first round of the Nations League, with only two seed one teams dropping. Sweden dropped to France, one of the strongest second seeds in the tourney, but conceded a big defeat in Paris nonetheless. The Soviet titleholders were also knocked out, by a more realistic Czech squad. Other top teams qualified by the skin of their teeth, most notably favourites West Germany, who had to rely on away goals to pass over the Republic of Ireland, while Spain absolutely dismantled Mexico at home, before having the fright of their lives as Mexico scored four in Mexico City, but lacked the last goal that would have sent them to overtime.
As for the other games, there was really no contest. England led by Gary Lineker dismantled Yugoslavia, while the Dutch squad led by Van Basten beat Uruguay twice convincingly despite the small scorelines. Italy also completely dismantled outsiders Denmark, scoring nine goals in two games, while Brazil easily cruised past Romania.

Gary Lineker in action against Yugoslavia in Newcastle

Schillachi celebrates his hat-trick against the Danes in Copenhagen

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

My top three: England, France and Italy.

 

[Wings]

My top three: England, France and Italy.

Eh, you'll get at least one of them in the Semis.

 

[Wings]

The first game of the Quarter-Finals was very close, but it was also really the only close matchup. England and the Netherlands were two very evenly matched teams, so much so that neither managed to beat the other, with two draws happening, one in London and one in Rotterdam. However, the Dutch scored in London, while England were unable to do so in Rotterdam, giving the Dutch a pass to the Quarters.
On the other hand, France were crushed by West Germany yet again, despite putting up a fight at home, losing by a single goal from Rudi Voller. In the bottom half of the bracket, both Italy and Brazil qualified by easily brushing Spain and Czechoslovakia aside.

Marco van Basten battles against two English defenders during the first leg of the Anglo-Dutch confrontation. The Dutch striker would score the only goal for the Dutch that would eventually qualify them for the Semi-Finals (69')

 

[MatthewFirth]

My top three: England, France, and Italy.

Only the latter made it. England should be kicking themselves though...

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

England, you should be ashamed. I would never trust you again.

Until the next championship.

 

[Wings]

Only the latter made it. England should be kicking themselves though...

Yeah, although the Dutch are just off a Euro, they are still scary.

England, you should be ashamed. I would never trust you again.

Until the next championship.

They'll get another chance...right?

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

They'll get another chance...right?

Yes, I have a weak spot for England, even more with Lineker and Gazza in the national team.

 

[Chocolate Raines]

Really hope the US gets in this in the 90's

 

[Wings]

Really hope the US gets in this in the 90's

Well with the eventual expansion of the NL to 32 teams they probably will, although it will probably be the late 90s/early 2000s

 

[Wings]

The Netherlands and West Germany would meet yet again for another high stakes confrontation, this time in the semi-finals of the Nations League. After the first leg, where the Germans showed off good defensive prowess, the Dutch were expected to be eliminated after the return leg. However, with a lone goal from Rijkaard, the Dutch then managed to hold their lead, while Germany failed to score, therefore qualifying the Oranje.
Italy didn't have such high stakes during their return leg in Brazil as they just annihilated the Selecao at home thanks to a hat-trick from Roberto Baggio. Despite losing the return leg 2-1, Italy advanced to their fourth final, their first since 1983.

Jurgen Klismann (West Germany, left) battles for possession with Ronald Koeman (Netherlands, right) during the return leg of the first Semi-Final

 

[Wings]

With dominating performances throughout the tournament, the final between the Netherlands and Italy was expected to be a high level game. More than a hundred thousand fans therefore booked a ticket to Rio de Janeiro's Estadio Maracana to watch the two European squads duke it out, and needless to say, they weren't disappoined. The Dutch started off strong, with Van Basten provoking a penalty after only six minutes of play, but failed to score as Zenga guessed the right way. Italy then had a few chances of their own, with Van Breukelen having to step up to be the Dutch hero, blocking a beautiful volley from Schillaci 25 minutes in. Despite both teams having clear chances, neither managed to score. Gullit found the post while De Agostini failed a clear shot from 15 metres. Finally, it would be a corner kick that would give the Squadra Azzura the lead. Ancelotti took it, leading the ball onto Baresi's head. Van Breukelen saved the attempt but the ball rebounded onto Roberto Baggio who scored.
Not content with their lead at half-time, the Italians didn't let go off of the pressure, and soon enough, De Agostini found Baggio open, the Italian striker dribbling both Koeman and Van Aerle to give Italy the break they needed. The Dutch kept pressuring forward, but thanks to Baresi and Maldini's perfect defense, the Dutch couldn't get into the box with the ball. Finally, during added time, a lone desperate strike from Aron Winter found its mark, but too late to change the fate of the game, as Italy won their first ever Nations League title.

Spoiler

Ruud Gullit during the first stages of the game

Roberto Baggio, Nicola Berti and Giuseppe Giannini celebrate Baggio's second goal of the final

Italian celebrations after the final whistle is blown (top: Paolo Maldini, bottom: Roberto Baggio)

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

Germany out? Italy winning? Ok, that's enough for me.

I quit this TL right now.






















Just kidding...

 

[Wings]

Winners: Italy - 1st title
Top Scorer: Roberto Baggio (ITA) - 6 goals

1989-90 Participants:
Europe: Germany (35), Italy (34), England (35), Yugoslavia (27), Netherlands (18), Spain (34), France (20), Ireland (3), Croatia (1), Soviet Union (31), Czechoslovakia (30), Denmark (6)
South America: Brazil (35), Argentina (34), Uruguay (23)
North America: Mexico (12)

Final Location: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Bracket Order
Spain v Croatia
Yugoslavia v Denmark
Netherlands v Uruguay
England v Ireland
Germany v Mexico
Italy v Argentina
Brazil v Czechoslovakia
France v Soviet Union

Location of finals up to 1995:
1991 - Los Angeles
1992 - Gothenburg
1993 - Quito
1994 - Pasadena
1995 - Montevideo

 

[Wings]

Germany out? Italy winning? Ok, that's enough for me.

I quit this TL right now.

Just kidding...

Well there must be some for everyone's taste(s).

 

[Wings]

Poland v Turkey 2-1 / 1-0
East Germany v Greece 2-0 / 0-1
Bulgaria v USA 0-0 / 0-2
Portugal v Ecuador 1-2 / 0-1
Cameroon v Morocco 1-1 / 0-3
Wales v Switzerland 2-2 / 0-0
Egypt v Algeria 1-1 / 0-2
South Korea v Norway 2-2 / 2-3
Hungary v Costa Rica 3-0 / 0-0
Belgium v Finland 1-1 / 2-2
Paraguay v Iraq 2-1 / 1-1
Argentina v Nigeria 2-0 / 1-2
Austria v Israel 1-1 / 2-0
Scotland v Northern Ireland 1-2 / 0-1
Colombia v Australia 1-1 / 0-1
Chile v Ivory Coast 2-0 / 1-0

Poland v East Germany 5-2 / 1-2
USA v Ecuador 1-1 / 1-3 aet
Morocco v Switzerland 3-0 / 0-1
Algeria v Norway 4-0 / 0-1
Hungary v Belgium 3-2 / 2-4 aet
Paraguay v Argentina 0-1 / 0-3
Austria v Northern Ireland 0-1 / 1-1
Australia v Chile 2-0 / 0-1

Poland v Ecuador 2-0 / 1-1
Morocco v Algeria 0-3 / 0-1
Belgium v Argentina 0-3 / 0-5
Northern Ireland v Australia 3-0 / 2-3

Poland v Algeria 0-2 / 0-2
Argentina v Northern Ireland 1-0 / 1-0

Algeria v Argentina 3-4 / 2-5
Winners: Argentina - 1st title

1989-90 Participants:
Europe: Sweden (11), Belgium (8), Romania (12), Portugal (11), Poland (6), Scotland (11), Wales (16), Hungary (13), Bulgaria (19), Switzerland (16), Greece (18), Norway (8), Austria (12), Northern Ireland (19), Finland (3), Israel (18), Georgia (1)
South America: Chile (18), Colombia (8), Paraguay (19), Ecuador (2)
North America: Costa Rica (4), Canada (6)
Africa: Algeria (14), Nigeria (11), Cameroon (13), Egypt (19), Ivory Coast (8)
Asia: South Korea (16), Iraq (12), Iran (17)
Oceania: Australia (16)

Bracket Order
Paraguay v Canada
Bulgaria v Costa Rica
Poland v Australia
South Korea v Finland
Portugal v Cameroon
Hungary v Egypt
Belgium v Israel
Greece v Austria
Scotland v Iraq
Sweden v Georgia
Switzerland v Norway
Chile v Ivory Coast
Wales v Nigeria
Romania v Northern Ireland
Algeria v Iran
Colombia v Ecuador