After arriving in San Juan, I was approached by Ross outside the airport. He was asking to share a ride to the ticket collection place. Along the way, we talked and found out we had a lot in common. We have been to every WC since 1994 and every Euro since 1996 but Ross has been to 3 Copa Americas and 2 African Nations Cups plus more.
Ross is here for the entire tournament but we do not have the same schedule. Often he was ahead of me in getting to a new city. So he would write emails to me with great tips.
Ross is a big Leeds United fan as well as fan of Scotland. Of course I had to ask him about the 78 WC.
In 1978, Scotland came to Argentina for the World Cup and many Scots believed they would win it. About 600 Scots made their way to Argentina. Some of them went the long way to save money: by air to the US and then by land south to Argentina.
Their first game was in Córdoba. June 3, 1978. Scotland vs Peru. And I just love the name of the stadium, Estadio Chateau Carreras.
The Scot team underestimated Peru and lost 3-1. It was so tragic that for Scot fans of a certain age, they can tell you exactly where and what they were doing on June 3, 1978. It was their JFK moment.
After the loss, things got worse for Scotland. Back then it was not usual for fans to wear football kits. But some Scot fans did and when they caused trouble in town, the local media assumed they were the players.
This afternoon, I went to the stadium in Córdoba. The name has changed.
I came for Brasil vs Ecuador.
It was a very entertaining match. Brasil scored first and then Ecuador and then Brasil and then Ecuador and finally Brasil scored twice to put the game away. 4-2 and first place in Group B for Brasil.
As I sat in Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, I thought how Córdoba had a tragic meaning for Scotland. But for another European country, Córdoba was their defining moment.
On June 21, 1978, Austria met West Germany in a meaningless second round game. Both teams had been eliminated. With the game tied 2-2, Hans Krankl scored in minute 87 to win the game for Austria.
It was a rare occasion that Austria beat their neighbors so the Austrians celebrated like they won the World Cup. The Austrians still celebrate today, as seen in these stamps.
Greetings from Córdoba!
PS: in 1980, Switzerland came to Córdoba to play a friendly against Argentina. You can see a short video of that game. Led by Maradona, Argentina won 5-0.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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