The last time New Zealand reached the finals was in Spain in 1982.

BBC: New Zealand 1-0 Bahrain

In 1982, Spain became NATO's 16th member, the first country to enter the Western alliance since West Germany in 1955.

CNN: News Almanac

Italy ended their long wait for a third title in 1982 in Spain, recovering from a slow start to beat favorites Brazil in a thrilling second-round match in which striker Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick on his way to winning the top scorer's Golden Boot.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Strutting midfielder Zico is fondly remembered by many football fans for his stylish contribution to the Brazil team which lit up the 1982 competition in Spain, alongside playmaker Socrates.

CNN: Soccer great Zico: Brazil '58 best team ever

Spain followed in the footsteps of countries such as West Germany in 1982 and the Netherlands this year by winning all their qualifying matches, sweeping aside the second-best team in their pool thanks to early goals from Gerard Pique and David Silva and two in the second half from Alvaro Negredo on his first start for his country.

CNN: Podolski spares German blushes against Finns