Forty-four years on, Algeria’s class of 1982 still haunted by the ‘match of shame’ | OneFootball

Algeria will face Austria in a decisive third and final group match, a reunion that reopens the wound of 1982’s match of shame. According to L'Équipe, kick-off is at 4am on Saturday night into Sunday, with a last 16 place at stake in their fifth World Cup.

Earlier in Spain in 1982, Algeria stunned the European champions by beating West Germany 2-1, with Madjer and Belloumi shining. Coach Jupp Derwall had said he would walk home if beaten, while Paul Breitner talked of a seventh and eighth goal.

They then lost 0-2 to Austria, before defeating Chile 3-2 on the eve of the final group fixture. On 25 June in Gijon, West Germany beat Austria 1-0, Horst Hrubesch scoring in the 10th minute, a result that sent Algeria out on goal difference.

Nordine Kourichi and Mustapha Dahleb watched among 41,000 as both teams largely kept the ball in their own halves, Kourichi recalling only Walter Schachner and Hans Krankl really tried to play. In Algeria the match is likened to walking football.

That golden generation, featuring Belloumi, Madjer, Assad and Dahleb, remain the only World Cup side to win twice yet not advance. Captain Ali Fergani said they never imagined the neighbours might combine to eliminate them, while Salah Assad called it a poor example and noted FIFA now makes final group games simultaneous.

Source: L'Équipe