earliest/best world cup memory?

[Amir]

Linekar hat-trick against the jam roles mexico 86

Likewise.  My dad bet me 2p that some shit Polish striker would score 4 and they'd win it.  Can't remember his name but I had shit loads of football cards with him on, as well as about 20 Falco's.

Italia '90 my mum tried to console me with 'don't worry, they'll be another one in 4 years'

[Nomoreheroes]

Argentina '78:

Scotland being slaughtered 1-3 by Peru then drawing 1-1 with Iran. They then decided to play against the Dutch, with Archie Gemmill scoring a wonder goal in their 3-1 victory.

Lots and lots of ticker tape, Mario Kempes hair style and the ITV theme tune ! All great memories.

NMH

That's the first world cup I remember NMH. Peru were South American Champions at the time so obviously not a bad team; but Ally Mcloud had built Scotland up so much that people actually believed they might win it  

The Scotland Holland game was a good one though; as you say a wonder goal by Archie Gemmill.

82 was good as well. Brazil had a fantastic team that yr but Italy beat them 3-2 in the 2nd group stage with a hat trick by Paolo Rossi. Brazil just kept attacking from memory; if they'd defended a bit better they'd probably have won it. But an excellent team to watch.

We're on the march with Ally's army,
We're going to the Argentine.
And we'll really shake them up,
when we win the world cup,
cos Scotland are the greatest football team

Do you remember Andy Camerons 'Ally's Tartan Army' ? Truly appalling ! Also Willie Johnston sent home in disgrace for drug abuse.

NMH

[Dazzza]

86 The mascot definately sticks in my mind as does the stickers, sadly not much about the football at the time except what I've later read.

90 I remember the lone fan in the empty stadium, head in hands with St George flag wrapped around him on all the back pages.  Cracking tournament especially Cameroon who we robbed.  

[Bedford Red]

Argentina '78:

Scotland being slaughtered 1-3 by Peru then drawing 1-1 with Iran. They then decided to play against the Dutch, with Archie Gemmill scoring a wonder goal in their 3-1 victory.

Lots and lots of ticker tape, Mario Kempes hair style and the ITV theme tune ! All great memories.

NMH

That's the first world cup I remember NMH. Peru were South American Champions at the time so obviously not a bad team; but Ally Mcloud had built Scotland up so much that people actually believed they might win it  

The Scotland Holland game was a good one though; as you say a wonder goal by Archie Gemmill.

82 was good as well. Brazil had a fantastic team that yr but Italy beat them 3-2 in the 2nd group stage with a hat trick by Paolo Rossi. Brazil just kept attacking from memory; if they'd defended a bit better they'd probably have won it. But an excellent team to watch.

We're on the march with Ally's army,
We're going to the Argentine.
And we'll really shake them up,
when we win the world cup,
cos Scotland are the greatest football team

Do you remember Andy Camerons 'Ally's Tartan Army' ? Truly appalling ! Also Willie Johnston sent home in disgrace for drug abuse.

NMH

I do remember all that. And the managers appalling choice of sticking with players like Bruce Rioch and Don Masson to name just two who were so out of form. I think he brought Graeme Souness in for the game against Holland and he made a difference; left it too late though.

[SwindonTownFC]

East Germany beating West Germany 1-0 in 1974.

Old Man Old Man, Old Man Old Man

[Batch]

Linekar hat-trick against the jam roles mexico 86 - and the ace mascot!

[url]

Ditto, remember struggling to stay awake to watch it.

I should be old enough to remember Spain '82 but can't???

[lumpimynci]

My first real memories of the world cup was in the lead up to Spain '82, when Wales had one of those qualifying campaigns where they looked as if they might make it for a good while, and then went tits up in the last few games, whilst England really struggled and then qualified after all.

Chants of "There's only one England going to Spain....Mike, Mike, Mike" slowly petered out and died.

Bastard.

Northen Ireland, my adopted side for that year did well, winning their group with a bunch of 2nd and 3rd division players

[Bob's Orange]

My first memory was Cameroon beating Argentina 1-0 in 1990 thanks to some truly dreadful goalkeeping from Pumpido. Cameroon had 2 players sent off. I'll always remember Caniggia hurdling 2 knee high challenges and when trying to keep his balance, being absolutely clattered by the third Cameroonian. I bet he was thinking 'No you don't' as he totally poleaxed him, boot flying off for good measure!!

England 1990 was the best memories, beating Cameroon and Belgium.

[Bedford Red]

My first memory was Cameroon beating Argentina 1-0 in 1990 thanks to some truly dreadful goalkeeping from Pumpido. Cameroon had 2 players sent off. I'll always remember Caniggia hurdling 2 knee high challenges and when trying to keep his balance, being absolutely clattered by the third Cameroonian. I bet he was thinking 'No you don't' as he totally poleaxed him, boot flying off for good measure!!

England 1990 was the best memories, beating Cameroon and Belgium.

I remember watching that opening match too; was up at Sheffield Uni visiting some friends. That last tackle was hilarious; took him right out.

The Cameroon match was excellent; but how close did we come to losing that, I think Lineker got the equalizer with 9 mins to go and when they were 2-1 up they looked the better side.