On A Day Like Today: Mestalla hosts Spain's World Cup 1982 opener

On June 16th, 1982, Mestalla (then bearing the name of the 'Luis Casanova' stadium) held Spain's first game of the 1982 World Cup. The host nation took on Honduras in the contest, part of a group stage that also featured meetings with Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland.

In order to be eligible to host World Cup games, the stadium had to be adapted to FIFA requirements, and the investment necessary was approved in April of 1978. Building work began the following month, replacing the old stands and installing plastic seats. The pitch draining system was improved, the dressing rooms updated, and the access points expanded.

The game itself ended in a surprise 1-1 draw. Spain lined up Arconada, Camacho, Tendillo, Alexanco, Gordillo, Alonso, Zamora, Joaquín, Juanito, Satrústegui and López Ufarte in the initial XI, with Sánchez and Valencia CF player Saura later replacing Joaquín and Juanito.

Honduras went ahead on 7 minutes through Zelaya, but López Ufarte levelled in the 65th minute with a penalty after Saura had been brought down.

Tendillo and Saura were the two Valencia CF players who turned out for Spain in the competition, and the latter scored the winning goal against Yugoslavia on June 20th.