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Soccer in the Cold War
Soccer means for the whole world, the most important sport that not just means a game, but it awakes passions and generates feelings like any type of sport -
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Pause of the World Cup
Because of the conflict of the World War II, the World Cup was paused for the first and only time for more than 10 years -
CONTEXT
End of World War II: World War II ended in 1945 with the surrender of Germany and Japan. This conflict left much of Europe and Asia in ruins, and the Allied superpowers, particularly the United States and the Soviet Union, emerged as major world powers. -
English soccer back from de WWII
The first season played since 1939, the competition was interrupted because of the WWII.
Derby Country was the winner of the FA Cup in that season -
Italian league back
The italian league also had their return from the recess of the Second World War.
The champion in this season was Torino with their 3rd championship -
CONTEXT
Corean War:
One of the most important events of the 1950s was the Korean War It was a conflict on the Korean Peninsula between the communist North (supported by the Soviet Union) and the non-communist South (supported by the United States). The war reflected superpower rivalry and ended in a stalemate, with a ceasefire in 1953 and the continued division of Korea into two separate states. -
Peace Game
In the middle of the cold war a game between Hungary and the USSR was held, was a match to promote reconciliation between both countries after their conflicts -
Miracle of Bern
West Germany and Hungary faced each other in the 1954 World Cup final, againts all odds, West Germany won 3:2 and became champions for the first time in the history.
This sporting event helped the so-called German economic miracle that allowed the emergence of the Federal Republic of Germany -
USSR elimination from the 1958 World Cup
The Soviet Union team was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Sweden.
The defeat was considered a setback for communist propaganda, which promoted Soviet superiority in all aspects of life, including sport. -
1960 Rome Olympics
The rivalry between the two superpowers manifested itself in several sports, including football, where the Soviet Union and the United States competed for supremacy. The Soviet Union won the gold medal in football. -
CONTEXT
Cuban Missile Crisis.
In 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis broke out, a direct confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union had deployed nuclear missiles in Cuba, leading to a dangerous confrontation that nearly sparked a nuclear war. The crisis was resolved through diplomatic negotiations and de-escalation agreements. -
1962 World Cup
The Chilean team faced the Soviet Union team in a highly political match. The Cold War was at its peak, and this match was seen as a symbolic confrontation between the Western bloc and the Communist bloc. Chile won 2-1 in a very tense match. -
Cold War Match
In the 1966 World Cup qualifiers, the Chilean team faced the Soviet Union team in a match known as the "Cold War Match." The match became violent and was suspended early due to fights on the field. Chile was disqualified, and the Soviet Union advanced to the next phase. -
CONTEXT
Vietnam War Ending.
United States and North Vietnam signed the Paris Peace Accords, which effectively ended direct U.S. involvement in the conflict. The agreement included a ceasefire, the withdrawal of U.S. troops, and the release of American prisoners of war. However, it did not resolve the underlying issues between North and South Vietnam -
European Super Cup
European Super Cup pitted Ajax Amsterdam, champion of the European Cup, against Dynamo Kiev, champion of the European Cup Winners' Cup (Fairs Cup). The match was seen as a symbolic showdown between the Western and Eastern bloc, and Ajax won 3-0. -
World Cup in West Germany
The 1974 World Cup was held in West Germany. The West German national team won the tournament, defeating the Netherlands national team in the final in a match that is considered a symbolic confrontation between the Western and Eastern bloc of Europe. -
European Super Cup
Bayern Munich, champion of the European Cup, faced Dynamo kyiv, once again champion of the European Cup Winners' Cup. The match was seen as something of an ideological showdown between west and east, and Bayern won 3-0. -
European Super Cup in 1980 and 1983
In 1980, Nottingham Forest of England, European Cup winners, faced FC Dinamo Tbilisi of the Soviet Union, winners of the European Cup Winners' Cup. Nottingham Forest won the European Super Cup. In 1983, Scotland's Aberdeen FC, winners of the European Cup Winners' Cup, faced West Germany's Hamburg SV, winners of the European Cup, in another symbolic clash between eastern and western Europe. -
CONTEXT
Economic crisis in the Soviet Union.
The economy of the Soviet Union was in crisis in the early 1980s. Falling oil prices and internal economic problems further weakened the USSR's economic position and ability to maintain its military expenses. -
1986 European Super Cup
Steaua Bucharest, a team from Romania, faced FC Barcelona in the European Super Cup in 1986. The match was considered an ideological confrontation, as Romania was under the communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu. Steaua won in a penalty shootout. -
1986 World Cup in Mexico
The 1986 World Cup in Mexico included Diego Maradona's famous "Goal of the Century," in which the Argentine player dribbled past several English players in a single trip. The tournament also featured the "Hand of God Goal", in which Maradona used his hand to score a goal. This match was played between Argentina and England and reflected the political and diplomatic tensions between both countries. -
Italy World Cup
Although the Cold War was coming to an end, the 1990 World Cup in Italy involved teams from countries that had been under communist influence, such as the former Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union. These teams competed in the tournament after major political changes in the region. West Germany won the tournament. -
Reunification of Germany
In 1990, Germany was reunified after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The West German national football team and the East German national team merged into a single national team, which had an impact on German and European football. -
CONTEXT
Collapse of the Soviet Union.
The most significant event of the 1990s in relation to the Cold War was the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991. This collapse led to the disappearance of the communist superpower and the independence of many Soviet republics, including the creation of the Russian Federation under the leadership of Boris Yeltsin. -
The rise of Croatia
In 1991, Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia, and in 1992 it became a member of FIFA and UEFA. In the 1998 World Cup, held in France, Croatia reached the final, marking a notable achievement in the world of football after its independence.