The draw

Although the draw for the 1974 World Cup Finals was made on 5th January 1974, Zaire didn't know whether they would be playing Yugoslavia or Spain until February of that year. This was because the two teams had finished level in their qualification group on both points and goal difference, needing a play-off in Frankfurt, West Germany, which Yugoslavia won 1-0.



Pre-tournament predictions

"They had fine individualists, had done well in Africa, but it was already clear from their performance in the recent African Nations Cup and from a mediocre tour of Europe that little was to be expected of them." (Journalist Brian Glanville in his book, The Story of the World Cup)

"European football is almost a total mystery to the Leopards, and Vidinic knows that his big problem is to prepare his exuberant players to meet the sophisticated tactics they'll face in the finals." (Jack Rollin in the Radio Times World Cup Special, 1974)

"In my opinion, Zaire will prove to be the most talented of the three mystery 'underdog' teams." (BBC pundit Jimmy Hill. His two other 'mystery' teams were Haiti and Australia, both also making their first World Cup Finals appearances)