Classic Football

Matches

Qualifiers

Korea Republic
vs
Japan
14/03/1954
A rivalry is born in Tokyo
FIFA.com looks back 54-and-a-half years to a dramatic and historic match that gave birth to a lasting rivalry between Japan and Korea Republic.
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Mexico
vs
Costa Rica
16/06/2001
Costa Rica's great away day
FIFA.com takes a look back at how Costa Rica inflicted Mexico's first and only FIFA World Cup qualifying defeat at their Estadio Azteca.
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Saudi Arabia
vs
New Zealand
19/12/1981
Kiwi miracle in Riyadh
New Zealand went into their final FIFA World Cup qualifying match on 19 December 1981 with next to no hope. It turned out to be their finest hour.
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Wales
vs
Scotland
10/09/1985
Scots' tragedy in triumph
FIFA.com marks the anniversary of a match in which success for Scotland on the field was put into perspective by the loss of a favourite son.
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Nigeria
vs
South Africa
10/10/1992
Bafana Bafana's baptism of fire
In South Africa's first-ever FIFA World Cup qualifier following their years of isolation, they came up against a formidable opponent in Nigeria.
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Australia
vs
Uruguay
16/11/2005
Aloisi ends Aussie wait
With a simple penalty kick, Socceroos striker John Aloisi ended 31 years of hurt for Australian fans, and set his team on the way to Germany 2006.
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Denmark
vs
Soviet Union
05/06/1985
Daring Danes sink Soviets
In this week's Classic Qualifier, we look back to a six-goal thriller served up by Denmark and USSR in the battle for places at Mexico 1986.
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Bolivia
vs
Brazil
25/07/1993
Historic firsts for Bolivia and Brazil
On 25 July 1993, Bolivia handed Brazil their first defeat in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, paving the way for their maiden qualification for the finals.
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Germany FR
vs
Wales
15/11/1989
Classy Hassler lights up Cologne
West Germany had to win when they took on Wales in their final Italy 1990 qualifier. However, they had to overcome the worst possible start.
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Saudi Arabia
vs
Iran
28/10/1993
Launch pad for Saudi reign
FIFA.com looks back at a seven-goal thriller which sent Saudi Arabia to USA 1994, and catapulted them to a position of prominence in the region.
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Trinidad and Tobago
vs
USA
19/11/1989
'The shot' ends 40 years of hurt
USA needed a hero in Port of Spain in 1989. They found one in Paul Caligiuri, whose goal earned them a long-awaited return to the world finals.
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Zaire
vs
Morocco
09/12/1973
Leopards roar to Germany 1974
The Ebony Leopards of Zaire became the first sub-Saharan African side to reach a world finals after beating Morocco 3-0 in Kinshasa in 1973.
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France
vs
Bulgaria
17/11/1993
Les Bleus' American nightmare
In November 1993, an agonising last-minute defeat to Bulgaria prevented France from taking their place at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA.
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Ivory Coast
vs
Cameroon
04/09/2005
Lions roar in Abidjan
In our latest Classic FIFA World Cup qualifier, we look to Africa - and a five-goal thriller served up by continental giants Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire.
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Argentina
vs
Peru
31/08/1969
The silence of the Bombonera
FIFA.com takes a look at a historic performance from Teofilo Cubillas and Peru, who ended Argentina's hopes of reaching Mexico 1970.
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Korea Republic
vs
Korea DPR
16/10/1989
The Stork settles Korean clash
In our second Classic FIFA World Cup Qualifier, we look back to the first-ever preliminary clash between Korea DPR and Korea Republic.
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Germany
vs
England
01/09/2001
Eriksson's England's Munich miracle
In the first of a series highlighting great preliminary matches of the past, FIFA.com recalls a rampant England putting five past Oliver Kahn.
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