Just behind the raspberry canes in my back garden is a breach in the space-time continuum, where events take a slightly different course, as I remarked to President Quayle a few days ago. The World Cup '98 featured some different sides (more details in part one) and other results.
Note that most of these games constituted the third round in this world's World Cup. That's how they do things in Otherworld...
Second Round of Games:
Group A
Brazil 4-1 Morocco
Though the result that took Brazil through to the second round was never in doubt, Morocco held them goalless till the 66th minute. Emerson and Bebeto got two apiece as the Moroccan defence fell to pieces late in the game. Ali Khattabi took a marvellous goal following a solo run from the half way line to make it 2-1, but to no avail.
Scotland 2-0 Norway
Another dire defensive performance from the Norwegians allowed Scotland to take the points. Burley and Booth were the men on target in a match that saw Norway get just three shots on goal.
| Group A | GD | Pts |
|---|
| Brazil | +4 | 6 |
| Scotland | +1 | 3 |
| Norway | -2 | 1 |
| Morocco | -3 | 1 |
Group B
Italy 4-0 Austria
A gruesome challenge from goalkeeper Konsel on del Piero removed both from the game. Vieri scored from the resulting spot kick, and substitute Ravinelli, Vieri again and Dino Baggio were on target. The Austrians were unlucky not to score late in the game.
Peru 0-0 Cameroon
A dull, defensively minded game. No, scratch that. A dull, dull game.
| Group B | GD | Pts |
|---|
| Italy | +5 | 6 |
| Austria | -2 | 3 |
| Peru | -1 | 1 |
| Cameroon | -2 | 1 |
Group C
Denmark 3-3 France
When the draw was made last December, bookmakers offered even money for France to progress with three wins. They're yet to make one. Zidane gave them a 2-0 lead, before being sent off for stamping on defender Brian Laudrup. Neilsen pulled one back early in the second half, before substitute Dugarry restored the two-goal advantage. A Laudrup free kick ensured a nervy last five minutes, and French nerves were shot when Schmeichel (yes, goalkeeper Schmeichel) headed in the equaliser from a Helveg corner.
South Africa 3-0 Saudi Arabia
The South Africans progress, and the Saudis eliminated, as Masinga, Bartlett and Doctor Khumalo convert three of the 24 shots on target. Saudi Arabia managed two.
| Group C | GD | Pts |
|---|
| South Africa | +4 | 6 |
| Denmark | +1 | 4 |
| France | -1 | 1 |
| Saudi Arabia | -4 | 0 |
Group D
Spain 4-1 Bulgaria
The clash of the group favourites ended decisively in Spain's favour. Enrique, Morientes (2) and Sergi found the back of the net. Bulgaria were unlucky to only score the one; Ivanov the man on target, but Kostadinov missed two sitters around half time.
Paraguay 4-2 Kenya
The Kenyan miracle looked set to reach new levels when they went 2-0 up on 36 minutes: Kanu and an own goal from Chilavert gave the BSkyC team something to talk about. But a Ramirez hat-trick in just eight minutes turned the game around, and Benitez added a fourth the Paraguayan presence richly deserved.
| Group D | GD | Pts |
|---|
| Spain | +3 | 4 |
| Bulgaria | 0 | 3 |
| Paraguay | -1 | 3 |
| Kenya | -2 | 1 |
Group E
South Korea 2-0 Russia
The first ever win in World Cup Finals for South Korea came thanks to a Kim Do-Hoon header on 57 minutes. Glory was completed by an opportunistic Kim Doh-Keun goal in added time. With the Russians out of the contest at this stage for the second straight tournament, coach Yeltsinov announced his resignation after the side's last match.
Netherlands 5-2 Mexico
The Dutch side booked their place in the last round with a wonderful display of attacking football. Bergkamp, Hasselbaink and Kluivert scored within 30 minutes. Mexican defender Suarez was sent off for deliberate handball early in the second half, with Ronald de Boer scoring after the resulting free kick. Luis Garcia pulled one back for Mexico soon after, but Bergkamp's second restored a four-goal lead; he was substituted immediately after, owing to his recent tendon strain. Garcia scored a second consolation in the 88th.
| Group E | GD | Pts |
|---|
| Netherlands | +5 | 6 |
| Mexico | 0 | 3 |
| South Korea | -1 | 3 |
| Russia | -5 | 0 |
Group F
Germany 1-0 Australia
A great draw for the Australians was spoiled by Klinsmann's 66th minute goal. The Aussies never looked like scoring, but held tightly to keep the Germans to a single goal
USA 4-0 Ireland
Surprisingly one sided all the way; Tab Ramos gets two, Reyna the third, and Wynalda scores after keeper Kasey Keller comes up to take an injury-time free kick.
| Group F | GD | Pts |
|---|
| Germany | +2 | 6 |
| USA | +3 | 3 |
| Australia | +2 | 3 |
| Ireland | -7 | 0 |
Group G
Romania 1-3 Tunisia
An incredible result! Hagi put the Romanians ahead in the 8th minute, but two from Ben Younis just after the interval, and a capper from Sabri Aballah in the 83rd sealed the most remarkable result of the tournament.
England 1-0 Colombia
A defensive game from both sides is spoiled from its inevitable 0-0 conclusion by a mazy run from substitute Owen.
| Group G | GD | Pts |
|---|
| England | +5 | 6 |
| Tunisia | -2 | 3 |
| Colombia | -1 | 1 |
| Romania | -2 | 1 |
Group H
Argentina 3-1 Croatia
Suker's sixth minute goal made things look like they would be one way. In the event, they were one way, but not that one. A pair for Delgardo, before half time, one for Batistusta after, and 8 other shots on goal as the Croats didn't get another sniff of the win, and now look to be heading straight home.
Costa Rica 1-2 Japan
The debut win for next time's hosts comes courtesy of a Lopes goal in the 75th minute; Shoji Jo's flamboyant opener was cancelled out by a Rebeto header two minutes later.
| Group H | GD | Pts |
|---|
| Argentina | +2 | 4 |
| Japan | +1 | 4 |
| Costa Rica | +1 | 3 |
| Croatia | -4 | 0 |
| Stats so far |
|---|
| Games | 32 |
| Red cards | 5 |
| Yellow cards | 39 |
| Goals | 113 |
| Own goals | 4 |
...And the beat goes on in the group finales.