10 June 1998

BRAZIL				2-1			SCOTLAND
Sampaio 4						Collins 38 (Pen) 
Boyd 73 (own goal)

Brazil took an early lead when Sampaio's powerful header cannoned off Burley
(I think) past Leighton. Brazil piled forward and some great goalkeeping by
Leighton and desperate defending kept the score at 1-0. The Scots were awarded
a penalty after Collins took a dive under a non challenge from Aldair. Collins
converted the penalty. Dunga played Cafu in on goal with a superb pass, Cafu’s
shot was punched by Leighton, the ball hit Boyd and trickled into the net, Boyd
should have reacted quicker, afterall he must have realised his ‘keeper came out
of goal? Despite a good second half performance by Scotland Brazil were worthy
winners, they created more chances and would have won emphatically were it not
for Leighton’s superb saves and some World Class tackling in particular from
Hendry. Ronaldo was superbly shackled by the Scotland defence, Cafu was
outstanding for Brazil. 

Attendance : 80,000


MOROCCO			2-2			NORWAY
Hadji 38							Chippo 47 (og) 
Hadda 59						Eggen 61 

The Moroccans were by far the better team in the first half and Hadji capped a
breathtaking first 45 minutes with a superb goal, he latched onto a 40yd pass
from El Khalej, turned Eggen inside out and whacked the ball past Grodas. Norway
equalised when Chippo headed a free kick into his own net. Hadda restored
Morocco’s lead with a nice finish from another El Khalej though ball. Eggen
equalised from a corner. Hadji was largely anonymous in the second half. It took
Norway 60 minutes to realise that the bullying tactics they used to tear Brazil
apart 13 months ago were not working against a powerful Moroccan team and by
the time the Norwegians started to dictate play the game was over. Awesome
performance by Morocco in attack, not so hot in defence. Norway were devastating
from set pieces but played the offside trap far too high up the pitch.

Attendance : 35,500


16 June 1998

SCOTLAND			1-1			NORWAY
Burley 67 						H Flo 46 


After dealing comfortably with Norway’s direct football in the first half the Scots
went to sleep early in the second when Riseth’s cross was headed in by an
unmarked Havard Flo. Burley scored the equaliser with a brilliant chip from Weir’s
awesome 50yd pass.

Scotland dominated possession but with have little creativity and old man Durie is
a terrible forward. Not likely to make an impact if, as expected, they make the
second phase. Norway sucked, again, and a team that should and were more than
capable of making a significant impact in this competition need to repeat their
infamous victory over Brazil 13 months ago to make the second round.

Attendance : 30,236


BRAZIL				3-0			MOROCCO
Ronaldo 8
Rivaldo 46
Bebeto 69 

Rivaldo played in Ronaldo with a great first time pass from 40yds, Ronaldo waited
for the ball to bounce and walloped a half volley into the bottom right corner of
the net, a nice change from his usual run and shoot jobs. Rivaldo was left with an
easy finish from Cafu’s cross. Ronaldo stole the ball from Morocco’s right back,
Saber, charged into the box and laid a chance on a plate for the ugly, buck
toothed, no talent midget - Bebeto.

A comfortable performance from Brazil. Morocco were worse than terrible,
the ‘keeper, Benzekri, had a piss poor game and Hadji, star of the match against
Norway was anonymous.

Attendance : 33,266


23 June 1998

NORWAY			2-1			BRAZIL 
Tore Andre Flo 82						Bebeto 77
Rekdal 88 (pen)

It took Denilson 77 minutes to finally show a bit of magic, he fell to the floor
under a challenge from Eggen, while on the floor rolled the ball to his right, got
up and crossed for Bebeto to head in from close range. Much better than it sounds.
Minutes later Bjornebye picked out Tore Andre Flo with a brilliant 40yd pass, Flo
charged into the box, being tracked by his marker Baiano, the ball clipped Baiano,
fell nicely for Flo and he slotted past Taffarel. Minutes later Flo was pulled down
in the box by Baiano, Rekdal whacked in the penalty and Norway had completed
mission impossible.

Norway finally played to the standard they showed prior to the World Cup.
They defended deep thus not allowing Brazil the space they had given to Scotland
and Morocco, were quick to close down Brazil’s one-two’s on the edge of the box
and passed the ball patiently as opposed to the long ball tactics they employed in
the previous matches.

Attendance : 60,000


MOROCCO			3-0			SCOTLAND
Bassir 22, 85
Hadda 47 

El Khalej sent a long pass into Scotland’s penalty box and Bassir smashed a
half volley past Leighton from a tight angle, great finish. Hadji sent
another ball over the top of the Scotland defence, Hadda attempted a chip,
Leighton pathetically tried to punch the ball over the goal but it ended
up in the back of the net. Burley was sent off for a foul on Bassir. You would
have thought Scotland would have learnt their lesson but another ball over the
top lead to Morocco’s third, Hadda headed the ball back to Bassir, he flicked
the ball over his shoulder and his half volley deflected in off Hendry.

I couldn’t believe that in the days prior to this match the English press and
media were convinced that Scotland would beat Morocco. With such a poor
attack and no creativity in midfield against a team with blistering pace?

Attendance : 45,000
Red Card(s) : Burley 54 (Scotland)