Sevilla, like Madrid & Barcelona saw two of its stadiums chosen as hosts for España 82. However, unlike the Spanish & Catalan capitals, the city had its rations cut, with Real Betis’ Estadio Benito Villamarin and Sevilla FC’s Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán staging just two games each. However, what was lost in quantity was more than made up for in quality, with the mythical Brazilian squad of 1982 playing its first round matches in the city.
Betis had started to alter their rather basic ground in 1975 with the addition of a daring upper tier on the west side. With banks of green and white seats and a slender green cantilevered roof, this stand dominated the rest of the arena and the area in the south of Sevilla. Despite relegation to La Segunda in 1978, work on the stadium continued and in 1979 the east side was demolished and a new Tribuna was constructed. A second tier and propped roof was added to the East Tribuna in 1981, before a mezzanine amphitheatre was built between the upper and lower tiers of the west stand in 1982. As well as additional seating, this housed new media facilities which were used when the stadium hosted its two World Cup matches. The Estadio Benito Villamarin was a beautifully balanced, atmospheric and classic looking stadium, which was ultimately torn apart by egotistical club President Manuel Ruiz de Lopera in 1998. You can read more about the stadium and Real Betis here.
BRAZIL vs SCOTLAND – GAME 3 GROUP VI
Brazil had come through its first test against the Soviet Union four days earlier, and like that game, they also had to come from behind in this, their first match at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. David Narey had given the Scots an early lead with a stunning strike, before Zico equalised with a brilliant free kick on 33 minutes. Three further goals in the second half gave the Brazilians a comfortable win
BRAZIL vs NEW ZEALAND – GAME 6 GROUP VI
Many expected Brazil to run riot against a New Zealand side that had conceded eight in its previous 2 games down in Málaga. The Kiwis restricted Brazil to just four goals, but what classy strikes they were. Zico scored two before half-time and Oscar and Serginho completed the scoring after the break.
Estadios de España 