Algeria 2-1 West Germany: so close, yet so far…

From cannon fodder to war machine

Remember last summer's epic film? For Algeria, the title changes slightly to "Remember 1982". The Fennecs wrote history at that World Cup, for several reasons. First, because it was their first World Cup. Second, because this debut went from first attempt to masterpiece straight away. In their opening match, Algeria faced West Germany, the tournament's bogeymen. The expectation was that the Fennecs would be used as a punchbag, but nothing could have been further from the truth. The team-mates of Moustapha Dahleb and Rabah Madjer beat the Germans 2-1. The shockwaves of that upset were felt around the world. It was the first time an African nation had beaten a European side.

Algeria opened the scoring in the 54th minute through Rabah Madjer. When Rummenigge equalised thirteen minutes later, it seemed the German machine would quickly step on the gas. Not a bit of it. A minute later, Belloumi gave the Fennecs a decisive lead against the eventual finalists (beaten 3-1 by Italy).

"We could have cracked"

Algeria's captain at the time, Ali Fergani, told Jeune Afrique a few years ago: "We never doubted ourselves after that equaliser. We could have cracked, but we held on, despite the German pressure. And we could have scored a third goal." He added a clear observation that probably backfired on the Germans. "Nobody, apart from our supporters and the press, knew about our qualities."

After that shock result, the Algerians soon came down from their pedestal. In their second match, they lost 2-0 to Austria. Even so, Algeria boldly wanted to take their chance and hope for a place in the next round. In their final match, they beat Chile 3-2 and hoped for a big German win over Austria to go through from the first round. It was not to be.

Germany-Austria, the sham

West Germany did beat Austria 1-0 (Hrubesch scoring in the 11th minute). But the game was branded a disgrace. That scoreline sent both teams through. So after that early goal, nothing happened. The two goalkeepers could have set up a mattress and cushions and still not have been in any danger. All twenty-two players simply knocked the ball around, and that was it. Bewildered, the crowd chanted "Algeria, Algeria", or even jeered with shouts of "Get out! Get out!" For his part, the German commentator boycotted the match and decided not to commentate on what was renamed "the match of shame". Algeria therefore went out in the first round, though with the feeling of having produced a fine adventure. Proof that history does not remember only the winners.

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