USA 1994: Brazil's Fourth Title — Baggio's Miss and the Penalty That Broke Italy
Maradona's last World Cup ended in a drugs scandal. Roberto Baggio carried Italy to the final almost single-handedly — then missed the penalty that gave Brazil their fourth world title. USA 1994 was full of drama from first day to last.
The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the United States, and it delivered one of the most eventful tournaments in the competition's history — from a drugs scandal that shook the sport, to a final decided by penalties for the very first time.
The biggest story before the final whistle had even been blown was Diego Maradona. Argentina looked formidable in their opening two matches, and Maradona appeared to be recapturing something of his best form — before a positive drugs test ended his tournament and, effectively, his international career. Without him, Argentina were a different side entirely, falling 3-2 to Romania in the round of 16.
Brazil reached the final with a clinical, if not always beautiful, efficiency. Romário and Bebeto formed one of the most lethal striking partnerships the tournament had seen — their goal celebration, cradling an imaginary baby after Bebeto's wife had given birth during the tournament, became one of football's most iconic images. Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's side were not the free-flowing Seleção of earlier decades, but they were effective and, ultimately, worthy champions.
Italy's route to the final was built almost entirely on the brilliance of Roberto Baggio. The Divine Ponytail dragged his side through matches against Nigeria, Spain and the semi-finals with moments of individual genius that kept the Azzurri alive when they had little else to offer. By the time the final arrived, however, Baggio was carrying an injury — and Italy were effectively a man short on the night.
The final itself ended goalless after 120 minutes — the first in World Cup history to do so — and went to a penalty shootout. Franco Baresi, Daniele Massaro and, most devastatingly, Baggio all missed for Italy. Baggio's penalty, blazed over the bar with the shootout already lost, became one of the most haunting images the sport has ever produced. Brazil were world champions for a record fourth time.
Top scorers: Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) and Oleg Salenko (Russia) — 6 goals each
Champions squad: Taffarel, Jorginho, Silva, Branco, Bebeto, Dunga, Zinho, Romário, Aldair, Santos, Mazinho, Zetti, Rinaldi, Rocha, Ronaldão, Raí, Cafu, Leonardo, Sérgio, Müller, Ronaldo, Viola
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Highest-scoring match: Russia v Cameroon 6-1
Total goals scored: 141 | Average per match: 2.71
Best-attended match: 94,194 — Brazil v Italy (final) | Average attendance: 68,991