World Cup 2006 News

This day in World Cup history - July 2

Jul 2, 2006, 12:18 GMT

Berlin - This day in World Cup history - July 2

July 2

1974 - Germany face Poland in Frankfurt in a match they can afford to draw to qualify for the final as for the second time in the history of the World Cup, there are no semi-finals. In 1974 the two finalists were determined in two second-round groups, with the two group winners qualifying for the final. Going into the final game Germany had the superior goal difference and needed just a draw to win the group. Gerd Mueller scores in the 75th minute to take the hosts to their third World Cup final.

1978 - Kossi Agassa is born in Togo's capital of Lome. The goalkeeper played more games at the World Cup finals in 2006 in Germany than he did in in two seasons for his French club FC Metz. Impressive displays for the African World Cup rookies Togo in Germany have improved Agassa's chances of finding a different club after the World Cup finals.

1982 - For the fourth time after 1950, 1974 and 1978 the second round of the World Cup is not played on a knockout basis, with the top 12 teams from the first round being divided into four groups of three each, with the four group winners advancing to the semi-finals. In Group C the favourites Brazil seem to be heading towards the final after beating regional rivals Argentina 3-1 in Barcelona on July 2. As Italy had managed 'only' a 2-1 victory against the defending champions earlier the Selecao needed just a draw from their final match against Italy to qualify for the round of the last four.

1994 - Colombian defender Andres Escobar is shot and killed in Medellin. The Nacional Medellin player had a few days earlier scored an own goal in the 35th minute of his side's Group A World Cup game against the hosts USA, who go on to win the match 2-1, thereby knocking out the highly fancied South Americans, whom Pele had declared as one of the favourites before the tournament. Escobar is killed as 'punishment' for having scored the own goal.