Two Matches In One Day

In today’s game could you imagine asking a professional footballer to play two matches in one day?! Some turn their nose up at having to play two games in a week let alone twice in one day.

However, in November 1987 Mark Hughes did exactly that as he represented both Bayern Munich and Wales in one afternoon and evening.

Czech Test

The match for Wales involved a vital European Championship qualifier against Czechoslovakia. A match they needed to win to have any chance of heading to the 1988 European Championship finals. Hughes had his work cut out for him in the game as he had come up against a Czech side managed by the charismatic Josef Masopust. And which featured the likes of Ivo Knoflicek, Tomas Skuhravy, and future West Ham United goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko.

At the time there were no designated international breaks resulting in managers unsure if they had important players available for selection.

Club And Country

However, Hughes decided to make himself available for both club and country. Having joined Bayern Munich on loan from Barcelona after a torrid time in Spain, the then-24-year-old attacker had informed Uli Hoeness that he was due to play for his country.

A problem could have arisen as Bayern Munich had their own important cup game that evening, however, Hoeness hatched a plan that would suit everyone. The plan involved a private jet flight across Europe and a subsequent dash in a Lada car. If the plan succeeded Hughes would be available for a German Cup second-round replay against Borussia Monchengladbach following the game against Czechoslovakia in Prague.

“He knew I was playing for Wales on a Wednesday night, the same night as this big cup game,” Hughes said.

“In passing, he said ‘what time is the game?’ And I said, ‘I think it’s about half-past three, four o’clock’.

“From that moment on he was making phone calls and came back into the room and said, ‘I think you may be able to play for us the same night’.

“I thought he was just kidding but obviously he wasn’t, so he organised everything.”

A Defeat And A Win

Hughes would go on to play the full 90 minutes. A Wales win would see them qualify for Euro 88; sadly, the 2-0 defeat proved another case of so near yet so far for Welsh qualification hopes in the 1980s. Despite having what many perceived as the best goalkeeper in the world at the time Neville Southall Wales yet again failed to make a major championship.

However, the forward had no time to reflect on it as he was taken straight to a private jet – still in his full kit – that would fly him to Germany. Hughes’ attempt at two matches in one day was slowly becoming a reality. On arrival, Hoeness’ Porsche was available to hastily transport Hughes from the airport to the Olympic Stadium.

Having missed the entire first half because the plane had flown over the stadium and could not land, Hughes got on to the Olympiastadion pitch as a second-half substitute with Bayern Munich 1-0 down.

“It seemed to buck up the team and bucked up the crowd and it was good for me personally to warm myself to the crowd,” said Hughes, who had only made his Bayern debut the previous Saturday.

“It was a masterstroke from Mr Hoeness.”

Two Matches In One Day

Lothar Matthaus equalized for Bayern, and Hughes almost completed the fairy tale when a trademark volley went close late on. Extra time followed, with two Michael Rummenigge goals giving Bayern a 3-2 win.

As Hughes has since mentioned, it’s not every day that a club would bend over backwards to accommodate one of their players. But on that one particular day in November 1987, Bayern Munich went the extra mile to ensure that Mark Hughes would become part of a story that still beggars belief. The day he played two matches in one day !.