In case you ever wondered why the last round of group games KO at the same time ...

.... it can all be traced back to this game below back in 1982 

a few of the old timers here might remember it but in short it was a 'fixed' game between West Germany & Austria to ensure both would qualify that led to the rules being changed 

first World Cup that I watched-yeah not a great memory of that match-I prefer to remember that Italy/Brazil quarterfinal--great match-that '82 Brazil squad the most talented team not to win it all in my opinion...

 im suprised to see someone remember this.   I think it was called a 'gentlemanly agreement' back then. not 'fixed'     i forgot which country got scr*wed because of that. 

doc, we won that WC too. beat that Samba squad  where Paolo became a 'GOD' scoring 6 of our 8 goals in KOs

FIFA changing that starting time rule was the last smart decision they ever made. 

Thanks for the post. Interesting..

@specimen24

 Algeria beat West Germany 2-1 in the opening round then lost to Austria so were the ones screwed over

@specimen24

 FIFA changing that starting time rule was the last smart decision they ever made. 

That and the three points for a win as opposed to two which came into place after Italia 90

I-got, wanted to come back here and dig this up, hope you dont mind. theres something you said at the end there which got me thinking.   firstly, Ram, thank you yes indeed you were correct. 

"That and the three points for a win as opposed to two which came into place after Italia 90"      can we "add" another one?   friends and i were talking about this last week. 

not sure how far  your memory goes, but another subtle rule was put in place and was used for the first time which changed the way the game is played even to this day right here.   the Backpass Rule.   GK's were no longer allowed waste time and wait to pick up the ball with their hands after defenders kicked back to them.  when that rule was first put into place it was a comedy of errors     GKs back then didnt really use their feet too much (its futbol, go figure ehh??) there was nothing which annoyed a striker more than having to run halfway down the pitch just to get the GK to stop wasting time &  pick up the ball and then run all the way back to get into onside position. many brawls were started because of that.