MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 22:42:50| >> :600:465256:465256:

On This Day: Bryan Robson scores against France after 27 seconds

The midfielder scored one of the fastest goals in World Cup history in what would evolve into an impressive 3-1 win over Group 4 rivals France.

Given their apparent determination to make an almighty mess of another World Cup qualifying campaign, hopes were not exactly sky-high when Ron Greenwood's squad arrived in Spain in 1982.

England had squeezed through to the finals behind Hungary, despite losing three of their eight qualifying games, and having had to rely on slip-ups by rivals Switzerland and Romania.

It took precisely 27 seconds for the optimism to surge. That was how long it took Bryan Robson to net one of the fastest goals in World Cup history in what would evolve into an impressive 3-1 win over Group 4 rivals France.

England during World Cup 82
England emerged from their first round group with a 100 per cent record (PA Archive)

Greenwood's team that day offered a blend of youth and experience which offered a hint – on paper at least – that suggestions of another failed campaign could be wide of the mark.

The likes of Robson, Terry Butcher and Steve Coppell joined with experienced names such as Peter Shilton, Phil Thompson and captain Mick Mills, and the blend came together in style.

Butcher flicked on a throw-in from Coppell and Robson fired home to give England their flying start – adding a second just past the hour mark before Paul Mariner's late strike sealed England's win.

Greenwood and Keegan – World Cup 82
Ron Greenwood and Kevin Keegan were crucial to England's 1982 World Cup bid (PA Archive)

Further wins over Czechoslovakia and Kuwait sent England into the second group stage with maximum points – but their reward was a questionable grouping with West Germany and hosts Spain.

Short of injured talisman Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking, England played out a stalemate against the Germans in their opening match.

The pair returned to the bench against Spain, but were introduced too late by Greenwood, their obvious impact negated by the hosts who held on for another goalless draw, which sent England home.

It was Greenwood's last match in charge, and he departed having led England to an unbeaten record of five games with just one goal conceded. But once again Robson's bright start had ensured England would flatter to deceive.

ID:402602: cacheID:402602:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5901:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Marcus Rashford scores for Manchester United on January 11, 2020
Read Next:
Marcus Rashford urges government to extend food voucher scheme into summer
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!