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Lato 28, Lăcăctus 54, Deyna 55, Lubanski 86
MEXICO CITY - Azteca
After seeing Czechoslovakia take an unexpected point from England, both sides knew a win was essential to keep their destiny in their own hands. This Polish team was full of goal-scorers, and looked hungry for goals right from the off. Romania were a little more patient, prepared to keep possession at the back and gradually ease themselves in.
Poland struck first when Kasperczak came out on top in a midfield tussle with Iordanescu and fed Boniek, who flicked the ball over his shoulder for Grezgorz Lato to run on to. The winger, Poland’s most-capped player, was not known for being flashy, but was blessed with fantastic pace and acceleration, and the defence was never going to catch him.
His Golden Boot as the 1974 World Cup leading scorer is proof that could finish too, and here slotted easily past keeper Ducadam. The Steaua keeper had been given the start ahead of Ljung and Stelea, who both won many more caps, but had a tendency for erratic errors.
Ducadam had only had two caps, but played a huge role as his side defeated Terry Venables’ Barcelona to win the 1986 European Cup. He was too exposed here though.
Romania came out of their shell a bit after that. Popescu and Hagi orchestrated things in midfield, with Marius Lăcăctuş and Gavril Balint full of running and intelligent movement up front. Both sides played thrilling, quick-passing football, but it was not until after half-time that the next goal came.
From a Hagi corner, Balint headed down to Lăcăctuş, who took a touch to take him away from Janas’ challenge, and scored past Tomaszewski from five yards.
The Romanians were still celebrating when a minute later Kazimierz Deyna blasted a wickedly swerving shot from out near the touchline. Deyna scored several times in his career directly from corner kicks, and was able to deceive Ducadam with the power and movement in the air he was able to generate.
Hagi was furious and not slow to let his team-mates know it. He went just wide with a free kick, and then set up Balint, who could not beat Tomaszewski. Romania’s midfield was starting to overwhelm their opposite numbers, and Boniek and Lato were forced to drop deeper to help out. As Romania pressed ever harder for the equaliser, Poland were able to hit them on the break.
Lato’s pace made him a fine counter-attacking weapon, and he broke free to set up Lubanski for his second of the tournament with less than five minutes to go. The score line looked a bit harsh on Romania, who had contributed much to an entertaining match. Their worry was that the games were not going to get any easier.
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