A defensively minded, low-scoring tournament remembered for Cameroon's Roger Milla and a bad-tempered Final in which West Germany beat 10-man Argentina 1–0.
The 14th FIFA World Cup kicked off in Milan with hosts Italy defeating Austria 1-0. The tournament would go down in history as the lowest-scoring World Cup ever, with teams employing deeply cautious, defensive tactics that earned the competition a reputation for dull, attritional football. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup
In the tournament's opening match at the San Siro, Cameroon stunned defending champions Argentina 1-0 through François Omam-Biyik's second-half header. Despite finishing the match with nine men after two red cards, Cameroon's physical, fearless performance marked one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. Source — Wikipedia:
Costa Rica, appearing at their first World Cup under coach Bora Milutinović, defied expectations by advancing from Group C. They beat Scotland and Sweden to finish second behind Brazil, proving the tournament's surprise package and underscoring the growing competitiveness of CONCACAF nations. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica_at_the_FIFA_World_Cup
Egypt earned a 1-1 draw with European champions the Netherlands in Group F, with Magdy Abdelghani scoring a late penalty. It was Egypt's first World Cup point since 1934, though they would ultimately be eliminated in the group stage on goal difference. Source — Wikipedia:
Colombia's 2-0 win over Argentina in Group B, combined with other results, confirmed the group's final standings. Argentina recovered to top the group on goal difference despite their opening loss, while Cameroon advanced as runners-up, setting up a knockout clash with Colombia. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_B
The Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands finished identically in Group F with three draws, identical goal differences, and identical goals scored. For the first time in World Cup history, drawing of lots was used to determine final group positions, with Ireland placed second and the Netherlands third. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_F
Roger Milla, at 38, scored twice in extra time to send Cameroon past Colombia and into the quarterfinals, the first African nation to reach that stage. Milla's iconic corner-flag dance celebrations became one of the tournament's defining images and symbolized Cameroon's historic run. Source — Wikipedia:
West Germany defeated their fierce rivals the Netherlands 2-1 in Milan in a match remembered for Frank Rijkaard spitting at Rudi Völler, resulting in both players being sent off. Goals from Jürgen Klinsmann and Andreas Brehme secured the win for the Germans after Ronald Koeman's late penalty. Source — Wikipedia:
Argentina eliminated Brazil 1-0 in Turin thanks to Claudio Caniggia's 80th-minute goal, despite Brazil dominating possession and hitting the woodwork multiple times. The match was marred by a notorious incident where Argentine physiotherapist Diego Madero tossed a bottle onto the pitch to disrupt a Brazilian counter-attack. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
During Argentina's 1-0 win over Brazil, Argentine bench staff threw a water bottle onto the pitch to halt a dangerous Brazilian breakaway. The unsportsmanlike tactic went unpunished by referee Johan Lövström and became one of the tournament's most criticized moments of gamesmanship. Source — Wikipedia: )
Hosts Italy continued their flawless defensive record with a 2-0 win over Uruguay at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Goals from Salvatore Schillaci and Aldo Serena maintained Italy's momentum, though the victory was overshadowed by an injury to captain Franco Baresi that would affect the squad's defensive depth. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
The Republic of Ireland reached their first World Cup quarterfinal after a penalty shootout victory over Romania in Genoa. Packie Bonner saved Daniel Timofte's decisive spot kick, and David O'Leary coolly converted the final penalty to send the Irish through amid jubilant scenes. Source — Wikipedia:
Yugoslavia needed extra time to overcome Spain 2-1 in Verona, with Dragan Stojković scoring the winner in the 92nd minute. The victory set up a quarterfinal against Argentina, continuing Yugoslavia's strong tournament despite the growing political tensions back home that would soon tear the nation apart. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
England edged Belgium 1-0 in Bologna through David Platt's 119th-minute volley from a Gascoigne free kick. The dramatic late winner spared England a penalty shootout and sent Bobby Robson's side into a quarterfinal against Cameroon. Source — Wikipedia:
West Germany ground out a 1-0 quarterfinal win in Milan through Lothar Matthäus's 25th-minute penalty. The typically efficient German performance contrasted with the tournament's overall attacking poverty, as Franz Beckenbauer's side advanced to face England in the semifinals. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
England survived a massive scare from Cameroon, trailing 2-1 before Gary Lineker scored two penalties to win 3-2 in extra time. Cameroon's exit ended Africa's greatest World Cup run to date, with Roger Milla's two goals nearly carrying the Indomitable Lions to an unprecedented semifinal. Source — Wikipedia:
Argentina reached the semifinals by beating Yugoslavia 3-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in Florence. Diego Maradona had a penalty saved in the shootout, but Sergio Goycochea's saves from Dragoljub Brnović and Faruk Hadžibegić sent Argentina through in a tense, attritional contest. Source — Wikipedia:
Salvatore Schillaci's 38th-minute goal gave Italy a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico, sending the hosts to the semifinals. Italy's defensive solidity continued with Walter Zenga keeping yet another clean sheet, though the match was a largely dour affair. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
West Germany reached the Final after winning a penalty shootout 4-3 following a 1-1 draw in Turin. Andreas Brehme put Germany ahead before Gary Lineker equalized, and Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missed in the shootout, sending Germany through to their third consecutive World Cup Final. Source — Wikipedia:
Paul Gascoigne was booked in the semifinal against West Germany, his second yellow of the tournament, meaning he would miss the Final if England qualified. Realizing this, Gascoigne broke down in tears on the pitch, producing one of the most emotionally resonant images in World Cup history as England ultimately lost on penalties. Source — Wikipedia:
Argentina eliminated hosts Italy in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Naples, winning 4-3 on spot kicks. Schillaci put Italy ahead before Caniggia equalized, and goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea again proved the hero, saving Roberto Donadoni and Aldo Serena's penalties to silence the home crowd. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Italy defeated England 2-0 in Bologna to finish third, with Salvatore Schillaci scoring a penalty to claim the Golden Boot with six goals. The match, played in a subdued atmosphere following both teams' semifinal heartbreak, at least gave the hosts a consolation prize. Source — Wikipedia:
West Germany won their third World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Andreas Brehme scoring an 85th-minute penalty. The match was the first Final to feature two sendings-off, with Argentina's Pedro Monzón and Gustavo Dezotti both dismissed in a fractious, ill-tempered contest. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup_Final
The 1990 Final was marred by unprecedented ill-discipline, becoming the first World Cup Final in which two players from the same team were sent off. Argentina's Pedro Monzón in the 65th minute and Gustavo Dezotti in the 87th were both dismissed, and the match was widely criticized as a poor advertisement for football, capping off the lowest-scoring World Cup on record. Source — Wikipedia: