History: Death, drugs and Dunga as World Cup goes Hollywood

This FIFA World Cup History feature is part of our build-up to the 2014 edition, which will chart the most special moments from previous tournaments. Today we have a look at the 1994 World Cup. CLICK HERE for the full series.

The skepticism with which FIFA’s decision to take the World Cup to Qatar in 2022 is simply history repeating itself. It was the same in 1994 — albeit for different reasons, when FIFA decided to take the tournament to the land of Hollywood and hamburgers.

‘Playing ball’ was very popular in the United States of America — but not the ball that FIFA wanted the Americans to play with. However, after 24 teams slugged it out in 52 matches witnessed by the yet untouched record of 3.6 million attendees, the governing body could pat itself on the back and say they managed to pull off an excellent tournament — and just hope this part of history also repeats itself after 2022.

For firsts, there were names on the back of the shirts and three points awarded for group stage wins in this edition which left quite a legacy — Brazil winning a record a fourth title, Hristo Stoichkov showing what Bulgaria can do, Colombian gangs proving that a lot of money was bet on the the country reaching the knockouts and Diego Maradona kick-starting the beginning of his end.

If you go chronologically, then Maradona’s star fell first — the No 10 scored a brilliant goal after some intricate passing against Greece before maniacally running to the camera — eyes bulging and throat hoarse with screaming as he soaked in the adulation in his ephedrine infused blood. The Argentine FA withdrew him before a FIFA ban could come into effect and surprisingly he stayed back in USA as a commentator. Argentina, who had started off the tournament well but losing their best player was hardly a morale booster against a Romanian team that was on a roll — with Gheorghe Hagi putting them to rest in a thrilling 3-2 encounter.

Next came Colombia’s demise — Pele’s choice to win the World Cup had a chance of coming through their group which also consisted of the hosts. But defender Andres Escobar’s lunge to prevent a low cross from the left ended as an own goal and sealed not only Colombia’s exit from the tournament (0-1 to USA), but acted as his death warrant too. The 27-year-old was killed outside a club on his return to the country, where one of the three men who started an argument with him shouted ‘Gol!’ like a South American commentator — Escobar was shot six times and pronounced dead later in the hospital.

By the time news of the killing reached America, Brazil were already playing entertaining football spearheaded by Romario and Bebeto — with the midfield brilliance of Dunga. The anchorman was made the scapegoat after Brazil’s failings in 1990 but took over as skipper in 1994 and led the team to two finals, winning it in 94’ but losing out against France in the next edition.

‘Era Dunga’ was a time when Brazil played a slower and more mechanical football which got them the results but not the cheers. It was in Carlos Alberto Parreira’s system which used to defensive midfielders that Dunga really thrived — doing the dirty work behind flair players like Romario. Brazil undid Netherlands 3-2 in a see-saw quarterfinal which saw the Dutch equalise from 0-2 down before Branco’s 81st minute winner. They knocked out an entertaining Swedish side 1-0 in the semis before meeting the Roberto Baggio-inspired Italy in the final.

Italy’s path to the final was more complicated than Brazil’s — especially with Baggio being at loggerheads with coach Arrigo Sacchi. They also had to navigate past the Bulgarians who were on fire with Stoichkov almost single-handedly carrying them through to the semis. The result of the tournament for them was their come-from-behind 2-1 win over Germany in the quarters. The unstoppable Lothar Matthous put the Germans in front with a penalty but Stoichkov slammed in a freekick before Yordan Letchkov diving header took them to the final four.

Italy vs Bulgaria in the semis was in effect Baggio vs Stoichkov — the former simply stellar on the day with a brace. Stoichkov did score from the penalty spot but it was Italy who went through.

The final was a cautious Brazil and a Franco Baresi marshalled Italy playing out a drab game which went into shootouts. Baggio had already scored under pressure in the tournament before — against Nigeria in the last 16 — but blazed over just after Dunga had converted to give Brazil their fourth world title.

World Cup 1994 Hosts: USA Winners: Brazil (3-2 in shootout) Top-scorer: Hristo Stoichkov and Russia’s Oleg Salenko (6 goals)

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