MALTESE MAKE THE DUTCH CROSS

34 years ago (17th December), the Netherlands were looking forward to playing in the 1984 Euro Finals in France. In their qualifying tie they were to meet Malta, very much the whipping boys in the group, who had shifted a loads of goals, including 6 against the Netherlands earlier in the group and 8 against the Republic of Ireland. Frank Rijkaard scored in the final minutes of their match against Malta to win 5-0. Was it enough?

Spain was running neck and neck with the Dutch and their final game was against the Maltese on the 21st. If they won (likely) they would have equal points with the Dutch but the win would have to be by 11 clear goals to go through on goal difference.

Malta had never let in more than 9 goals in their international career and they had only lost 2-3 to Spain in the earlier game, at their home ground, Ta'Qali, in May. In fact the Maltese had been 2-1 up just after half time.

The Spanish met the Maltese in Seville and within minutes Spaniard Juan Senor, missed a penalty. Spain then went one up, only for Michael Degiorgio to net for Malta after 24 minutes. The Spanish then ran riot and were 12-1 up at the end of the game, celebrated with a pitch invasion.

The Dutch thought they had done enough but were thwarted at the death. Scores against Iceland 1-1 away, only beating Malta 6-0 away and 5-0 at home and losing in Spain 1-0  left them a mountain to climb. 

The Spanish went through to the finals in France and rode their luck, beating West Germany with a last minute header in the quarter-final. In the semis, it was penalties 5-4 after Maceda drew his team level against Denmark.
In the final, keeper Arkonada fumbled Platini's free kick and his team got their come 'uppance. The hosts scored a second, to win 2-0 in the final minutes.