In the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Herald writers are looking back on their favourite World Cup memories.
Today, David Leggat, who covered the 1982 World Cup in Spain, shares his top moments.
First World Cup memory
England winning the 1966 final. It started my brother's lifelong love affair with West Ham United, courtesy of cup winners Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst. Check out the official film of the tournament, for dodgy haircuts, terrific sunglasses and it's spare, staccato commentary.
Favourite memory
It's 1982, Malaga and New Zealand's debut against Scotland. They were 3-0 when Steve Sumner jabbed the All Whites first cup goal from close range. At least that's something anyway, we NZ writers in the stands thought. Shortly after Steve Wooddin blasted a left-foot drive past the hopeless Scots keeper Alan Rough. 3-2. On our feet. Dare, briefly, to dream. The All Whites had one opportunity to draw level, couldn't take it and the Scots added two more. Favourite? Because I was there.
Favourite team
Brazil, 1982. They didn't win the cup, should have, but didn't have an ounce of pragmatism in their bones. They lost 3-2 to Italy. They strolled and strutted, no-look passes, wonderful players, who scored wonderful goals. Brazilians don't talk about the cup winners of 1994 or 2002, but they remember the effortless magnificence of Socrates, Zico, Falcao, Eder, Cerezo, Junior and co.
