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BRAZIL !
Many people were sceptical when the United States were awarded
the World Cup. They thought most matches would be played with
stadiums filled with less than half the capacity. They couldn't
be more wrong. Even though the stadiums were huge, people turned
up and filled the stadiums for every game in this World Cup. On
the field, this World Cup was also a success. Four years after
the miserable tournament in Italy, experts feared that this cup
would be even more defensive and boring.
Thankfully it didn't happen, and the tournament got underway
when Germany beat Bolivia 1-0 in the opening game where
Klinsmann scored the winner. USA the hosts opened their campaign
with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, both goals from superb
free-kicks (Wynalda and Bregy). Brazil looked strong from the
start. After a second round exit in 1990, they wanted to show
the world they were much better. In Brazil's group we also found
Sweden, Russia and Cameroon. The Swedes had a brilliant team and
infact scored the most goals in this World Cup in total. The
match between Russia and Cameroon was a game to remember, as
three World Cup records were broken. Oleg Salenko scored 5 goals
in the game, Roger Milla became the oldest player to participate
in a World Cup match (age 42), and he also became the oldest goals corer
when he scored Cameroon's consolation goal in their
6-1 defeat. In Group D Argentina with Diego Maradona looked
good. Comfortable victories over Greece and Nigeria gave proves
good enough. But then Maradona was
caught for drug abuse and Argentina fell apart. A sad ending for
may be the greatest ever footballer. In Group E, later dubbed as
the "Group of Death" all teams ended on the same
amount of points and goaldifference! It was the first time in
World Cup history anything like that had happened. Norway
finished bottom on 4 points and (1-1) in goal difference. Mexico
won the group on (3-3). Saudi Arabia surprised many by finishing
runners-up in Group F after Holland, but in front Belgium.
The second round saw some great matches. Romania beat Argentina
in may be the best match of the tournament, Brazil struggled
against USA on their national day, but a Bebeto goal settled the
game for Brazil. Nigeria had Italy on their knees until the 89th
minute when Roberto Baggio levelled the game. He struck once
more in extra-time and sent the Africans home. Bulgaria beat
Mexico after a penalty shoot-out, Germany as usual stumbled
through against Belgium, Spain trashed Switzerland and Sweden
beat the brave Saudi Arabians.
The four quarterfinals turned out to be tight games, althogh
only one of them went to penalties. Italy beat Spain after
Roberto Baggio once again had been the match winner. Brazil beat
Holland in a dramatic match. The South Americans lead 2-0, but
the Dutch pulled back both goals. Then left-back Branco fired
home a marvellous free-kick to send Brazil through. Bulgaria
shocked the world by beating Germany after coming from behind. A
Letchkov header sent the Germans home much earlier than they had
expected. And the last quarterfinal was decided on penalties,
were Sweden's goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli was the hero saving two
penalties.
Italy with a sparkling Roberto Baggio looked unstoppable now
after a slow start in the tournament. Roberto Baggio scored two
more goals and sent Italy to the final. Romario's header 10
minutes before time settled the other semifinal between Brazil
and Sweden. Sweden trashed Bulgaria in the bronzematch to take
the third place. They celebrated as if they had won the cup.
They had all rights to, they had been superb. Brazil won their
4th World Cup after beating Italy on penalties - the first ever
shoot- out in a final. Roberto Baggio was the unlucky man to
miss the last penalty. Read more about the final by clicking on
the "Final" link in the left column.
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