Europe v. South America In World Cup Confrontation

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32321, 12 June 1970, Page 13

Europe v. South America In World Cup Confrontation

(N.Z.P. A. -Reuter—Copyright)

MEXICO CITY.

The 1970 World Cup should today resolve itself into a clear-cut battle for soccer supremacy between Europe and South America.

The final group matches are likely to confirm the eight expected quarter-finalists, and the contenders from the two continents have been neatly kept apart until the final clash in the Aztec Stadium on June 21.

Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, West Germany and Russia are certain of their places in the last eight, and England, Italy and Mexico should join them today.

Only one quarter-final pairing is certain—Brazil v. Peru in Guadalajara. West Germany will remain at Leon to await the runner-up to Brazil in group three, probably England, in a repeat of the 1966 final.

Mexico might just edge the Russians out of top place in

group one and earn a quarterfinal meeting with Uruguay, which seems likely to take second place in group two. This would leave the Russians facing Italy. Germans Improving

West Germany, beaten 4-2 by England in the final four years ago, has improved with every game since nearly losing to unrated Morocco in its opening group four match. The striking power of Gerd Muller has given the German team a formidable spearhead and the 24-year-old Muller completed his second hattrick in successive matches in the 3-1 victory over Peru yesterday. Muller thus equalled the feat of the Hungarian, Sandor Kocsis, in 1954, the only other player to score three goals in successive World Cup matches.

The Peruvians, a revelation in these championships, commendably stuck to their attacking style and might have saved the match in the second half but for the astute covering of the German defenders. Teofilo Cubillas, the brilliant 20-year-old Peruvian striker, brought his cup tally to four goals by netting just before half-time.

Surprise Unlikely

Didi, Peru's Brazilian-born manager, said before yesterday's match that he was hoping to avoid a quarter-final clash with Brazil, whom he helped to win the World Cups of 1958 and 1962. It would be a major surprise if the Peruvians upset the Brazilians.

However, the Brazilians showed in their 3-2 victory over Rumania yesterday that they have not yet solved problems in their defence.

Brazil's victory means that England needs only a draw from today’s game with Czechoslovakia to continue its attempt to retain the Jules Rimet Trophy. The tactically naive Czechs should offer ; little threat to England,

although the champion will need to improve its finishing. Brazil twice held two-goal leads over Rumania, with Pele scoring twice and Jair once, but the Rumanians recovered from a shaky start, and goals from Florea Dumitrache and Emeric Dembrowski made the South Americans fight for their victory.

Left Bid Too Late The biggest upset in the tournament so far was achieved yesterday by Sweden, with its 1-0 victory over Uruguay, but even this could not prevent the South Americans clinching their place in the last eight. A last minute goal by Ove Grahn gave Sweden a slim chance of survival, but this should be destroyed today when Italy needs only a draw against the tough Israelis to qualify. Question marks were raised again about Russia’s cup chances after its lack-lustre, 2-0, win over the plucky but outclassed El Salvadoreans. The Russians looked so good in their earlier, 4-O, win over Belgium that many experts began to rate them as possible finalists, but their lumbering display against El Salvador has made many people change their minds. The group one situation will be decided by today’s meeting between Mexico and Belgium, which is certain to see the Aztec Stadium bursting its seams. Earlier matches suggest that Mexico should be able to secure at least the draw it needs to take the team into the last eight. Yesterday's results and group positions:

Group One.—Russia 2 <A. Byshovels 52 minutes, V. Muntyan 74), El Salvador 0; half-time, 0-0. Group Two.—-Sweden 1 (O. iGrahan 89), Uruguay 0: halfI time, 0-0.

I Group Three.—Brazil 3 (Pele 19 and 65, Jair 22), Rumania 2 i (F. Dumitrache 33. E. Dembrowski 82); half-time, 2-1.

Group Four.—West Germany 3 (G. Muller 20, 26 and 38>, Peru 1 (T. Cubillas 43); half-time, 3-1.

Group Ont F A pts p w D L Russia ..3 2 1 0 6 1 5 Mexico . 2 1 1 0 4 0 3 Belgium ..2 1 0 1 4 4 2 El Salvador . 3 0 0 3 0 9 0 Uruguay Group ..3 1 Two 1 1 2 1 3 Italy ..2 1 1 0 1 0 3 Sweden ..31 1 1 2 2 3 Israel 2 0 1 1 1 3 1 Brazil Group Three .. 3 3 0 0 8 3 6 England ..2 1 0 1 1 1 2 Rumania .31 0 2 4 5 2 Czech. . 2 0 0 2 2 6 0 Group W. German 3 3 Four 0 0 10 4 6 Peru ..3 2 0 1 7 5 4 Bulgaria ..2 0 0 2 4 8 0 Morocco .20 0 2 1 5 0