FIFA World Cup 1994 — United States (17 June – 17 July 1994)
Sports/Football/World Cups • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Brazil won on penalties over Italy in a scoreless Final, but the tournament is equally remembered for Andrés Escobar's murder after an own goal and Maradona's doping expulsion.
Chronological Storyline (23 Milestones)
Jun 17, 1994 CE
Tournament opens in the United States
The 1994 World Cup kicked off on June 17 with a record average attendance of over 68,000 fans per match across nine venues. Germany defeated Bolivia 1-0 in the opening match at Chicago's Soldier Field, with Jürgen Klinsmann scoring the tournament's first goal. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup
The logo of 1994 FIFA World Cup – 15th FIFA World Cup, held in United States By FIFA - Own work using: https://www.fifa.com/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132740424
Jun 22, 1994 CE
Group A: Romania tops group, USA eliminated
Romania won Group A with victories over Colombia, USA, and Switzerland, finishing on 6 points. Host nation USA finished last in the group with zero points after losses to Switzerland and Romania, though they showed improvement in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia. Source — Wikipedia:
Jun 22, 1994 CE
Controversy: Andrés Escobar own goal vs USA
Colombian defender Andrés Escobar scored an own goal in Colombia's 2-1 defeat to the USA on June 22, deflecting a cross into his own net. Days after returning home to Medellín, Escobar was murdered on July 2, a killing widely linked to the own goal and gambling losses by drug cartels. Source — Wikipedia:
Andrés Escobar By Unknown author - Nazionale di calcio della Colombia,_Italia_%2790.jpg, it.wikipedia.org Selección Colombia que participó en el Mundial de Italia-1990, eltiempo.com., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76100990
Jun 26, 1994 CE
Group B: Brazil and Sweden advance
Brazil topped Group B with a perfect record of three wins from three matches, scoring seven goals and conceding only one. Sweden finished second on 5 points, with both teams progressing to the Round of 16. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_B
Jun 27, 1994 CE
Controversy: Maradona expelled for doping
Diego Maradona was expelled from the World Cup on June 30 after testing positive for ephedrine following Argentina's group match against Nigeria. The failed test ended Maradona's international career and derailed Argentina's tournament, which had started impressively with wins over Greece and Nigeria. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Maradona
Players of Argentina celebrating at Estadio Azteca. By Unknown author - El Gráfico, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=96887817
Jun 27, 1994 CE
Group D: Nigeria stuns, Bulgaria advances
Nigeria topped Group D with 6 points after impressive wins over Bulgaria and Greece, announcing the African nation's arrival on the world stage. Bulgaria finished second on 6 points, with Argentina eliminated despite winning their first two matches before Maradona's suspension. Source — Wikipedia:
Jun 27, 1994 CE
Group E: Italy edges through as third-place
Italy finished third in Group E with only 4 points, behind Mexico and Ireland who both finished on 4 points as well, with all three teams separated by goal difference. The format allowed the best third-placed teams to advance, and Italy qualified for the knockout stage despite a disappointing group campaign. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_E
Jun 28, 1994 CE
Group F: Netherlands and Belgium advance
The Netherlands won Group F with 6 points after victories over Belgium and Saudi Arabia, while Belgium finished second on 6 points. Saudi Arabia's Saeed Al-Owairan scored a memorable solo goal against Belgium, but the Saudis were eliminated on goal difference. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_F
Jul 2, 1994 CE
Round of 16: Germany 3-2 Belgium
Germany edged Belgium 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 16 match at Soldier Field in Chicago. Jürgen Klinsmann scored twice and Rudi Völler added a third, while Philippe Albert and Marc Degryse scored for Belgium in a hard-fought contest. Source — Wikipedia:
Jul 2, 1994 CE
Round of 16: Spain 3-0 Switzerland
Spain comfortably defeated Switzerland 3-0 at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, with goals from Fernando Hierro, José Luis Caminero, and Julio Salinas. The win sent Spain through to a quarterfinal meeting with Italy. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Jul 3, 1994 CE
Round of 16: Sweden 3-1 Saudi Arabia
Sweden defeated Saudi Arabia 3-1 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, with goals from Kennet Andersson, Thomas Brolin, and Martin Dahlin. The victory advanced Sweden to a quarterfinal against Romania. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Jul 3, 1994 CE
Round of 16: Romania 3-2 Argentina
Romania defeated Argentina 3-2 in a dramatic match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, with Ilie Dumitrescu scoring twice and Gheorghe Hagi adding a third. Argentina, playing without the suspended Maradona, were eliminated despite goals from Abel Balbo. Source — Wikipedia:
Jul 4, 1994 CE
Round of 16: Brazil 1-0 USA
Brazil defeated the host nation USA 1-0 at Stanford Stadium in California, with Bebeto scoring the only goal in the 72nd minute. The USA's spirited tournament ended in the Round of 16 against a Brazilian side that was beginning to find its rhythm. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Jul 4, 1994 CE
Round of 16: Netherlands 2-0 Ireland
The Netherlands defeated Ireland 2-0 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, with goals from Wim Jonk and Dennis Bergkamp. The Dutch advanced to a quarterfinal meeting with Brazil after a professional performance against an Irish side that had topped their group. Source — Wikipedia:
Jul 5, 1994 CE
Round of 16: Italy 2-1 Nigeria (aet)
Italy trailed 1-0 to Nigeria until Roberto Baggio scored a dramatic equalizer in the 88th minute, then added a winner in extra time to send Italy through 2-1. The match at Foxboro Stadium saw Nigeria's Emmanuel Amunike score early before Italy's late rescue act. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Jul 5, 1994 CE
Round of 16: Bulgaria 1-1 Mexico (3-1 pens)
Bulgaria defeated Mexico 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Giants Stadium, with Hristo Stoichkov scoring Bulgaria's goal in regulation. The win sent Bulgaria to their first-ever World Cup quarterfinal, where they would face Germany. Source — Wikipedia:
Jul 10, 1994 CE
Quarterfinal: Netherlands 2-3 Brazil
Brazil defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in a thrilling quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Romário, Bebeto, and Branco scored for Brazil, while Dennis Bergkamp and Aaron Winter replied for the Netherlands in a match widely regarded as one of the tournament's best. Source — Wikipedia:
Jul 10, 1994 CE
Quarterfinal: Sweden 2-2 Romania (5-4 pens)
Sweden edged Romania 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Stanford Stadium, with Thomas Brolin and Kennet Andersson scoring in regulation. The match went to penalties after extra time, and Sweden held their nerve to reach the semifinals. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Jul 13, 1994 CE
Semifinal: Brazil 1-0 Sweden
Brazil defeated Sweden 1-0 at the Rose Bowl, with Romário scoring the only goal in the 80th minute to send Brazil to their first World Cup Final since 1970. The match was tightly contested, but Romário's header from a cross proved decisive. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_knockout_stage
Jul 13, 1994 CE
Semifinal: Italy 2-1 Bulgaria
Italy defeated Bulgaria 2-1 at Giants Stadium, with Roberto Baggio scoring twice in the first half to send Italy to their first World Cup Final since 1982. Hristo Stoichkov pulled one back from the penalty spot, but Bulgaria could not find an equalizer. Source — Wikipedia:
Jul 16, 1994 CE
Third-place: Sweden 4-0 Bulgaria
Sweden thrashed Bulgaria 4-0 in the third-place match at the Rose Bowl, with goals from Thomas Brolin, Hristo Stoichkov's own goal, Kennet Andersson, and Martin Dahlin. The comprehensive victory gave Sweden their best World Cup finish since 1958. Source — Wikipedia:
Jul 17, 1994 CE
Iconic moment: Baggio's missed penalty
Roberto Baggio, who had single-handedly rescued Italy in the knockout rounds, skied the decisive penalty over the crossbar in the shootout, sealing Brazil's victory. The image of Baggio standing alone with his head down became one of the World Cup's most enduring and poignant images. Source — Wikipedia:
روبرتو باجو By AbolfaZl0990 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=180814460
Jul 17, 1994 CE
Final: Brazil 0-0 Italy (3-2 pens)
Brazil defeated Italy 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw through 120 minutes at the Rose Bowl, the first World Cup Final decided by a shootout. Roberto Baggio missed Italy's decisive penalty, sending his spot-kick over the bar and handing Brazil their fourth world title. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup_Final
Rose Bowl, Lot H, in Pasadena, California, is one of the few places in the United States where you can fly a drone legally. By Ted Eytan - 2018.06.17 Over the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA USA 0040, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70076666
