On this day in 1982 Paolo Rossi added two goals to his World Cup tally in Spain to secure Italy’s passage to the final in Madrid.
Rossi had broken Brazilian hearts with a hat-trick in the previous round and was finding his form at just the right time on the grandest stage for the Azzurri.
A goal in each half against Poland sent Italy through to their first final for 12 years where they would meet West Germany.
July 8 was also the day that possibly the worst World Cup final of all time took place when Argentina and West Germany clashed at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
The Italia 90 showpiece match, which was decided by a late penalty from left-back Andreas Brehme, is remembered for Diego Maradona’s tirade into the camera pre-game due to the crowd booing the Argentina national anthem.
The game meandered along, Argentina had two players sent off – Pedro Monzon and Gustavo Dezotti – and Napoli hero Maradona broke down in tears at the final whistle.
Champions Brehme, Jurgen Klinsmann and Lothar Matthaus all played for Inter at the time. Read how Inter spoke German and Matthaus fell in love with Milan.
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