What if Brazil met Argentina in the 1986 World Cup final? Some stats that may surprise you!

[ASHOOR]

Another revisionist history question that I am sure others have contemplated before but I personally just thought of it now:

What if Brazil managed to beat France in 1986 and made it to the final: would they have had a better chance to beat Argentina than Germany did?


Some background and interesting stats:
Interestingly, in terms in offence and defense, both teams had the same GD at 10. In fact, and it may not be obvious to some since that team was all about offence, but Brazil only allowed 1 goal in 5 games, which came against France in the QF. If I am not mistaken, I don't think Brazil has ever gone first 4 games without conceding a single goal. Compare that to Brazil in 1982 - a team most agree was better than 1986 - and the latter had scored 15 goals and allowed 6 goals, in the same number of games (5) as they did in 1986. So you can argue that the reset and rebuild after the 1982 collapse started in 1986 and not later in the 1990s?

 

[Crocodile Bani]

Khzee scenario.

Football is not a fair sport. It is a cruel sport.

In both 1982 and 1986, the 2 best teams were Brazil and France and neither reached either final. Both great world cups but 1982 in particular was an anti climax as the finalists were hardly the best 2 teams that featured in the world cup. 1986 gave a redemption story similar to 2002, with Diego Maradona the central theme, but Brazil and France knocked each other out, giving the Germans the easiest ever path to the final.

If a fully rested Brazil (or France) had played against Argentina in the final, I have no doubt they would have beaten Argentina. But it is a scenario that we will never know the answer to, as Brazil lost to France in the quarter final (the greatest match of football I have ever seen by the way), and the victorious French were too exhausted after that match when they faced an ordinary West Germany in the semi final. This is where having a good squad and not just a great starting 11 is important.

If you remember 1994 World Cup, everyone thought Arrigo Sacchi, the Italian coach was crazy, constantly changing his team. But this tactic got them to the final and only losing to penalties. He used his squad well and kept the players fresh. Something France weren't able to do in 1986 after their epic against Brazil.

 

[Eddie Yousif]

I don't think anyone could have beaten Marradona in 86, not even a full squad Brazil. Had Brazil beaten France, I still think they would have lost to Germany in the Semi's. In 1990, Brazil had a much stronger squad than 86 and they still couldn't stop a much older & Slower Marradona. It took him just one chance and one magical move where he played with 4 defenders and gave it to Canegia to score!

Brazil lost 1-0.