Memories of USA94

With the World Cup a year away, and the Club World Cup causing a lot of worry, what better day than to reminisce about one of the best World Cups of my lifetime?

It was a tournament without England - who suffered a controversial defeat to Netherlands that proved decisive. Republic of Ireland did qualify for their second World Cup, while Greece, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria made their debuts. Germany were defending champions. France and reigning European champions Denmark were among the other nations to miss out.

It was a 24 team tournament, meaning top 2 of each group qualified plus the best 4 third placed teams. The previous World Cup was seen as a borefest, with the same format creating a lot of draws. USA94 was to be the last WC to have only 24 nations, with an expansion to 32 for 98. However, US94 proved far more exciting than its predecessor.

The hosts opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, but their 2-1 win over Colombia in the next game will be remembered for tragic reasons. Andres Escobar scored an own goal to give the US a lead - a mistake that led to his assassination a week later.

Brazil looked good from the off in group B. Romario quickly established himself at the top of the scoring charts - scoring in each of the 3 group games. Alongside them was a Swedish team that had impressed in their home Euros 2 years prior. With Brolin and Dahlin shining they finished second ahead of Russia and Cameroon, who couldn't repeat their heroics of Italia90 despite Roger Milla scoring at the grand age of 42. In the same game Russian/Ukranian striker Igor Salenko netted 5 times, winning him the golden boot (6 in total) despite being knocked out in the first round.

Group C contained the champions Germany, fellow Europeans Spain and the 2 lowest ranked nations South Korea and Bolivia which proved reasonably straightforward for the UEFA nations.

One of the most interesting groups was D - Argentina looking for a 3rd consecutive final were up against debutants Nigeria and Greece plus Bulgaria. On paper it was a dream draw for the South Americans, with Diego Maradona leading them once more. Maradona's goal against Greece in the opener - and his crazed celebration - is one of the iconic moments of US94. Batistuta scored a hat-trick in that game, while Nigeria smashed Bulgaria 3-0. Caniggia scored a brace in the Argentina-Nigeria game, as the Argies came from 1 down to win 2-1 while Bulgaria smashed Greece 4-0. Argentina looked in top nick, but a failed drug test saw them lose Maradona and focus. Bulgaria, who looked out of their depth in game 1, shocked Argentina with a 2-0 win. Hristo Stoichkov had scored twice against Greece and netted again in this match. Nigeria also won, meaning they topped the group and Bulgaria finished second. Argentina found themselves as a best 3rd place team.

Group E proved the hardest to split. Ireland started with a 1-0 win over Italy thanks to a Ray Houghton stunner, and their second game produced another iconic image - John Aldridge losing his cool as he waited to be subbed on. He scored, but Ireland lost 2-1 to Mexico. Final game draws meant Ireland, Italy, Mexico and Norway all finished with 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss and 4 points. Each nation had a goal difference of zero, but after only scoring once, Norway were eliminated.

Saudi Arabia starred in Group F, beating European opponents in Belgium to see them through with Netherlands. Belgium made it into the knockouts as one of the best 3rd teams.

The round of 16 produced some crackers - but Romania were the stars of the round with a stunning 3-2 win over Argentina. Having won Group A, Romania were fast installed as a neutrals favourite with Gheorghe Haji lighting up the tournament along with the likes of Popescu, Petrescu, Raducioui and Dumitrescu - with the latter netting twice against Argentina.
Italy were a couple of minutes from elimination against the impressive Nigerian side. Roberto Baggio scored a late equaliser before netting an extra time penalty to break the African nations hearts.
Rudi Voller and Jurgen Klinsmann gave Germany a 3-2 win over Belgium, with Klinsmanns goal being his 5th in 4 games. Netherlands proved too good for Ireland, with Bergkamp and Jonk giving the Dutch a 2-0 win. Sweden continued to look good with a 3-1 win over Saudi, while a Bebeto goal was enough for Brazil over the hosts in a game that was marred by a horrendous elbow. Leonardo broke Tab Ramos' jaw and got himself a 4 match suspension, with his red coming with the game at 0-0.
Spain had a comfortable 3-0 win over Switzerland but Bulgaria needed penalties to beat Mexico.

In the quarter finals, Roberto Baggio was at it again with another 88th minute goal - this one proved to be the winner in a 2-1 win for Italy over Spain.
One of the games of the tournament (there are a fair few contenders) saw a goalless first half explode into life in the second. Romario and Bebeto put Brazil into a 2 goal lead over Netherlands with goals in the 53rd and 63rd minutes. But Bergkamp scored almost immediately after the second and Winter got the Dutch level on 76 minutes. Branco, who had come in for the suspended Leonardo, scored the winner with 10 minutes to go.
Germany were heavy favourites against Bulgaria, and when Matthaus put them 1 up it seemed a formality. However, 2 goals in 3 minutes from Stoichkov and Letchkov turned the game on its head and another shock result was confirmed.
Romania and Sweden were two of the best teams to watch, but their quarter was a slow burner. When Brolin scored yet again it looked enough for Sweden, with Romania having just 12 minutes to respond. They managed it though, with Raducioui taking it to extra time where he put Romania 2-1 up. When Schwarz saw red for Sweden it looked game over, but Kennet Andersson scored to take it to penalties. Despite missing their first, Sweden prevailed.

The semi finals were a bit more cagey than what preceded. A Roberto Baggio double was enough for Italy to beat Bulgaria, whose goal was scored by Stoichkov giving him a share of the golden boot with 6 goals.
Brazil and Sweden had drawn in the group stage, and their semi final match-up looked like going the same way before Romario scored late on to put Brazil in the final.

Sweden won the 3rd place play-off 4-0, and both they and Bulgaria had lit up the tournament.

The final was a drab affair in sweltering conditions. After 120 minutes it was goalless and penalties were upon the final. Legendary Italian CB Franco Baresi skied his effort, only for fellow CB Marcio Santos to also miss. Romario and Branca shared successful kicks with Albertini and Evani before Massaro missed Italys 4th. Dunga kept his cool to put Brazil 3-2 up. Star man Roberto Baggio was one of the best players of the tournament, and his iconic hairstyle was another of the images of the tournament. Baggio had scored 5 times in the tournament, all in the knockouts and all vital. Such is the cruel world of football that the last kick of the tournament saw such a great miss and hand Brazil the trophy. A tournament that started with Diana Ross missing a penalty ended with Baggio missing the target.

Sadly the final didn't match the rest of the tournament, it truly was a great competition despite the heat. So many great memories and iconic moments. And no England to spoil it

Let's hope next years competition will match it - although it seems highly unlikely.