Italia ’90 – Gazza’s tears, Maradona’s madness and the tournament that changed football!

Dec 8, 2025

Simon Kuper, a renowned football writer and author, shares his insights on the transformative World Cup of 1990. He discusses the dramatic moments, from Gazza's emotional tears to Maradona's controversial decline. Kuper highlights Cameroon's stunning upset over Argentina and the event's role in changing football's viewer engagement through television innovations. He reflects on England's semi-final run, the heartbreak of penalties, and the tournament's cultural impact, including its iconic music that resonated with a new generation of fans.

47:50

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INSIGHT

Football Became TV-Friendly

Italia '90 shifted football into a TV spectacle with closer cameras and cleaner stadiums.
Berlusconi and Murdoch accelerated football's transformation into a televised entertainment product.

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INSIGHT

Football's Tarnished Reputation Pre-1990

Before Italia '90 English football had a toxic image due to hooliganism and disasters like Heysel and Hillsborough.
The tournament arrived amid serious national concern and pressure on the FA to consider withdrawing England.

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ANECDOTE

Cameroon's Fairy-Tale Start

Cameroon stunned the world by beating Argentina despite having players sent off.
Roger Milla, aged 38, became an instant global cult hero by scoring four goals and celebrating on the pitch.

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Why football had a terrible reputation

01:43 • 2min

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England's image and political concern

03:16 • 2min

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Who was missing and surprise teams

05:07 • 1min

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Cameroon's shock win over Argentina

06:27 • 2min

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Television changed how we watched football

08:07 • 2min

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English fans in Sardinia and hooligan control

09:39 • 1min

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Attending Italia '90: tickets and travel

11:07 • 7min

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England's squad and semi-final run

18:02 • 1min

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Gazza's tears and emotional new men

19:30 • 3min

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Penalties, Pearce and England's heartbreak

22:55 • 2min

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Italian heroes: Schillaci's summer

25:13 • 2min

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Maradona's declining brilliance and controversy

27:23 • 2min

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Allegations of drugging and Maradona stories

29:09 • 1min

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Standout matches and classic moments

30:31 • 3min

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Italia '90's music: Nessun Dorma and New Order

33:19 • 2min

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How Italia '90 broadened casual fandom

35:46 • 4min

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Rule changes and defensive football pitfalls

39:56 • 1min

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Fans meeting abroad and World Cup culture

41:08 • 2min

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FIFA personalities and draw manipulation

43:30 • 1min

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Closing picks and 90s mixtape choice

The Van is a humorous and heartwarming novel that captures the spirit of Irish life during the 1990 World Cup. Roddy Doyle tells the story of Bimbo and Larry, two unemployed friends who decide to start a mobile chip van business. As Ireland's football team makes an unexpected run in the tournament, Bimbo and Larry's van becomes a gathering place for fans, providing them with food, camaraderie, and a sense of national pride. Doyle's witty and authentic prose brings to life the colorful characters and vibrant atmosphere of Dublin, celebrating the joys and challenges of friendship, family, and community. The Van is a celebration of the unifying power of sport and the resilience of the human spirit.

In 'Among the Thugs', Bill Buford delves into the culture of soccer hooliganism in England. The book follows Buford's journey as he embeds himself with a group of hooligans, known as 'the lads', to understand the motivations and behaviors behind their violent and often chaotic actions. The narrative takes readers from the pubs of London to the stadiums of northern England and the streets of Europe, offering a deep and sometimes disturbing look into this subculture.

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Good Chaps

Simon Kuper

In 'Good Chaps', Simon Kuper explores how corruption has infiltrated British politics, challenging the traditional 'good chap' theory that assumes those in power will act with integrity. The book delves into financial scandals, political donations, and the erosion of trust in institutions, offering a compelling narrative on the need for change. Kuper argues for a better vision of politics, emphasizing the importance of restoring standards in public life.

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Uncommon People

Miranda Sawyer

World Cup Fever

A footballing journey in nine tournaments

Simon Cooper

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• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Chums

James Forsyth

No description available from the provided sources.

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• Mentioned in 10 episodes

Fever Pitch

Sarah Holland

Fever Pitch is a romantic novel by Sarah Holland, published in 1983 as part of the Harlequin Presents series. It is one of her early works, reflecting her style in contemporary romance.

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Soccernomics

Simon Kuper

Soccernomics is a book that delves into the business and economics of football, exploring various aspects of the sport from a data-driven perspective. It examines the strategies and decisions made by clubs, players, and managers, analyzing their impact on the game's outcomes. The book uses statistical analysis to challenge conventional wisdom and offer insights into player valuation, transfer market dynamics, and the overall financial landscape of football. It also explores the role of data analytics in modern football management and recruitment. Soccernomics provides a comprehensive overview of the financial and strategic aspects of football, offering a unique perspective on the sport's business side.

Diving deep into all things ’90s. Italia ’90 wasn’t just a World Cup, it was a national mood. The summer when Gazza wept, England stumbled heroically, and football suddenly looked… different. Sleeker. Made for TV. This week on Talk ’90s to Me, Miranda Sawyer is joined by Simon Kuper, author of World Cup Fever, to dive back into the tournament that rejuvenated the sport. They talk about the drama and the daftness: Maradona’s chaos, Cameroon’s rise to cult-hero status, and Miranda’s personal choice for the best football song courtesy of New Order and a rap from John Barnes.

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Written and presented by Miranda Sawyer. Produced by Liam Tait. Audio and video production by Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Soniq Branding from Artlist. Talk ’90s To Me is a Podmasters production.

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