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“In an effort to calm my nerves I was thinking about England v Spain in 1982,” says Martin Widdicks. “It really is the forgotten England elimination story. We’re all too well aware of Bonetti in ‘70, Maradona in ‘86, Pearce in ‘90 etc but know next to nothing about the ‘82 Spain game. I shall happily watch some scratchy highlights shortly but anyone else have more insight about that game?”
It was before my time but I know the basic story – England’s two best players, Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking, had been out through injury all tournament and were only fit enough for the bench. I think they came on after about an hour, and poor Keegan – playing his only World Cup game – missed a terrific headed chance to get the first of the two goals they needed.
