For the second straight World Cup, it was Argentina that stood tall at the end. Argentina won my 1930 World Cup replay, and in this International Legends World Cup, Argentina II (made up of modern-era players) finished off an impressive run to claim the crown, beating Netherlands 2-0 in the semifinals and then ending British Isles’ Cinderella run in the championship match by a 3-2 score.
It was the second meeting of the tournament for Argentina and British Isles, as both were in Group D. Argentina also won the first contest 4-2. Both teams had six points to finish atop the group, with Argentina taking the first spot.
Lionel Messi won the Golden Boot with 10 goals in seven matches, and he had what turned out to be the game-winner in the final. British Isles’ John Charles netted seven goals in seven matches.
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Semifinal: Argentina II 2, Netherlands 0
Lionel Messi got it started with an early goal, and Juan Roman Riquelme tacked on an insurance goal late. In between, Netherlands’ chances were few and far between as Argentina II advanced to the final.
6′ GOAL ARG Lionel Messi (counterattack)
8′ yellow card NETH Johan Cruyff
20′ yellow card ARG Oscar Ruggeri
37′ yellow card NETH Johan Neeskens
61′ save NETH GK Jan Van Beveren
62′ save ARG GK Mariano Andujar
73′ yellow card NETH Willem Van Hanegem
83′ GOAL ARG Juan Roman Riquelme
90+’ yellow card NETH Wim Suurbier
Semifinal: British Isles 3, Brazil II 0
British Isles’ Cinderella run continued with an easy victory over Brazil II. John Charles scored right off the bat, and then British Isles scored twice in a three-minute span partway through the second half to put the game away.
5′ GOAL BI John Charles
16′ yellow card BRA Rivaldo
21′ save BRA GK Claudio Taffarel
45+’ save BRA GK Claudio Taffarel
60′ GOAL BI Denis Law (direct free kick)
62′ GOAL BI Gareth Bale
76′ save BI Neville Southall
80′ yellow card BI John Charles
Championship: Argentina II 3, British Isles 2
Argentina II got off to a quick start with a sixth-minute goal, but British Isles tied it up three minutes later. It stayed 1-1 until midway through the second half. Juan Sebastian Veron beat the offside trap to put Argentina II up 2-1, and Lionel Messi put what appeared to be the finishing touches on the match with yet another goal in the 85th minute. But, British Isles got back within a goal on John Charles’ strike three minutes later. In stoppage time, British Isles had a golden chance to equalize on the game’s final kick, but Argentina goalkeeper Mariano Andujar made a stunning save to end the match and allow Argentina to raise the trophy.
6′ GOAL ARG Daniel Passarella (off header)
9′ GOAL BI Gareth Bale
14′ yellow card ARG Javier Mascherano
27′ yellow card BI Roy Keane
47′ yellow card BI Billy McNeill
66′ GOAL ARG Juan Sebastian Veron
75′ yellow card ARG Walter Samuel
85′ GOAL ARG Lionel Messi
88′ GOAL BI John Charles
90+’ save ARG GK Mariano Andujar
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