This day in World Cup history - July 5

Jul 5, 2006, 12:01 GMT

Berlin - This day in World Cup history - July 5

July 5

1975 - Argentina striker Hernan Crespo is born. The Chelsea forward was in his third World Cup finals in Germany, having already played in France in 1998 and South Korea/Japan 2002. He scores thrice in Germany, but can do nothing as Argentina bow out against the hosts in the quarter-finals.

1976 - Portuguese international Nuno Gomes is born. The forward, who now plays for Benfica, played twice at the 2002 finals, but saw little action in Germany at the finals. Ahead of the semi-finals Gomes had played just 22 minutes.

1982 - Italy qualify for the semi-finals. Paolo Rossi is the Italian hero as the Juventus striker, who had returned just in time from a lengthy ban imposed for his involvment in a betting scandal to make the World Cup squad, scores three goals against Brazil in their last match of the second group phase. Against Poland in the semi-finals, Rossi scored a brace that helped his side through to the final with a 2-0 win. In the final, Italy took on Germany and with the match evenly poised, Rossi scored his side's first to put the side on the road to victory. Italy won 3-1 to win their third championship.

1982 - AC Milan striker Alberto Gilardino is born on the same day as Rossi scores his hattrick against Brazil. 24 years later Gilardino himself plays World Cup football as he helps Italy into the semi- finals.

1994 - Italian striker Gianfranco Zola is sent off on his 28th birthday in a second round match against Nigeria on July 5, 1994. Italy beat the Africans 2-1 and go on to qualify for the final which they lose on a penalty shoot-out against Brazil. The game against the Super Eagles was the only match Zola plays at the World Cup finals.