FOOTBALL: WORLD CUP OPENING MATCHES

17 Jun 1994 Chicago Germany 1 Bolivia 0

A very dull match settled by a strike mid-way through the second half from Klinsmann.

8 Jun 1990 Milan Argentina 0 Cameroon 1

Omam-Biyik scored one and the Africans lost two men in their shock opening triumph.

31 May 1986 Mexico City Bulgaria 1 Italy 1

Altobelli gave the holders the lead but the game was full of missed chances. Sirakov equalised with five minutes left.

13 Jun 1982 Barcelona Belgium 1 Argentina 0

The first goal in an opening match for 20 years went to Vandenbergh and Belgium.

1 Jun 1978 Buenos Aries Poland 0 W Germany 0

A terrible pitch and two sides who had eclipsed their former glories. The fourth goalless opening game.

13 Jun 1974 Frankfurt Brazil 0 Yugoslavia 0

Zagallo had put together a physical side with the demise of Pele. The consequence was a scoreless opener.

31 May 1970 Mexico City Mexico 0 USSR 0

Altitude and heated tackles took their toll on a drab first fixture.

11 Jul 1966 London England 0 Uruguay 0

A defensive South American side kept England at bay.

30 May 1962 Vina del Mar Brazil 2 Mexico 0

The holders did not repeat their domination of this fixture from 1950 but they went on to retain the trophy.

8 Jun 1958 Malmo W Germany 3 Argentina 1

Argentina shocked the holders with an early goal but the Germans recovered and went on to the semi-finals.

16 Jun 1954 Berne Uruguay 2 Czechoslovakia 0

It took two late goals for the 1950 champions, Uruguay, to finish off the resolute Czechs.

24 Jun 1950 Rio de Janeiro Brazil 4 Mexico 0

Brazil hit the net four times and the woodwork a further five times in a bombardment of the Mexican goal.

4 Jun 1938 Paris Switzerland 1 Germany 1

Germany were ahead through Gauchel in the first half, Switzerland equalised, and won the replay.

27 May 1934 Rome Italy 7 USA 1

Mussolini watched rout, including a Schiavio hat trick.

13 July 1930 Montevideo France 4 Mexico 1

Lucien Laurent scored the first ever World Cup goal.