WC1990 - Round 1 - Group F

http://www.allworldcupgoals.com Group F was one of the tightest groups in World Cup history. In its six games, featuring European champions the Netherlands, England, the Republic of Ireland and Egypt, no team managed to score more than once in a match, and only one match failed to end a draw. England's bright start against Ireland - including an early goal from Lineker - faded rapidly, and their lead was cancelled out 20 minutes from time by Kevin Sheedy's strike. The Netherlands, highly rated following their European Championship victory in 1988, conceded a late penalty to allow an Egyptian equalizer. England largely dominated their match against the Netherlands - despite, for the second World Cup in succession, losing their captain Bryan Robson to an injury which would keep him out of the rest of the tournament - but the closest they came was a Stuart Pearce free-kick which went directly into the net, but was disallowed because the referee had in fact awarded an indirect free kick. (Goalkeeper Van Breukelen was also apparently unaware the freekick was supposed to be indirect, and came very close to touching the ball in attempting to save it, which would have made it a goal if he had touched it but failed to keep it out.) Ireland and Egypt failed to have a single shot on target between them in the 90 minutes of their 0-0 draw. The decisive result was England's 1--0 victory over Egypt, thanks to a headed goal by Mark Wright, which won them the group and eliminated the Africans: meanwhile the Netherlands, for the second time, conceded a late equalizer, this time to Niall Quinn. For the first time in World Cup Finals history, the drawing of lots was required to divide two teams, as Ireland and the Netherlands ended with identical results.