Brazil became the all-time leaders in World Cup titles by collecting their fourth crown with a 3-2 victory on penalties over Italy after a scoreless 120 minutes. The tournament was hosted for the first time in the United States and record crowds came out for the action.
United States Hosts First Cup
FIFA awarded the World Cup to the United States for the first time and the Americans hosted a record-breaking tournament as a record 3,587,538 fans came out for the action. A major rule change was that victories were now worth three points in the group standings. The 141 goals scored were the most since Spain 1982. The tournament, however, was missing some big European sides as defending European champions Denmark, England and France all failed to qualify. But Africa did have three nations at a World Cup for the first time - Cameroon, Nigeria and Morocco.
Maradona Expelled After Positive Test
The tournament's status took a big hit before it even started as Argentina legend Diego Maradona tested positive for drugs and was expelled from the event.
Brazil Ease Into Round of 16, Italy Struggle
Brazil beat Russia and Cameroon before drawing with Sweden to take Group B honors with Romario collecting a goal in each game. Italy lost against Ireland before beating Norway and drawing with Mexico for second place in Group E. The hosts U.S. reached the Round of 16 despite losing to Group A winner Romania. And Saudi Arabia won twice in advancing from the group stage.
Salenko, Milla Set Scoring Records
Russia's 6-1 thumping of Cameroon saw two scoring records as Russian Oleg Salenko scored a record five goals while Roger Milla hit for Cameroon to break his own record as the oldest scorer at the World Cup at 42 years, one month and eight days.
Colombia Tragedy
The group stage also spawned a tragedy as Colombia defender Andres Escobar scored an own goal against the United States to eliminate Colombia. And Escobar was later murdered after his return home.
Brazil Bounce Americans, Baggio Saves Italy, Argentina Ousted
In the Round of 16, Brazil needed a 72nd minute goal by Bebeto to beat United States. Roberto Baggio scored in the 88th minute and then in extra time in Italy's 2-1 victory over Nigeria. The great Gheorghe Hagi and Romania ousted Argentina 3-2. Also winning in the Round of 16 were Germany, who received two goals from Rudi Voeller in a 3-2 win over Belgium; and Sweden, who got two scores by Kennet Andersson to beat Saudi Arabia 3-1.
Bulgarians Shock Germans
In the quarter-finals, Brazil blew a two-goal lead before beating Netherlands 3-2; and Baggio scored again late as Italy held off Spain 2-1. The defending champions Germany were bounced by Hristo Stoichkov and up-start Bulgaria, who had never won a World Cup match in 16 attempts coming into the tournament. And Swedish keeper Thomas Ravelli stopped two penalties in a 5-4 shoot-out victory over Romania.
Romario, Baggio Push Brazil, Italy Into Final
Romario's score with 10 minutes to play pushed Brazil into the final with a 1-0 win over Sweden. And Roberto Baggio struck twice in the first 25 minutes as Italy stopped the Bulgarian run with a 2-1 victory.
Sweden Take Third Place, Stoichkov And Salenko Golden Shoe Winners
Sweden jumped ahead 4-0 at half-time and held onto the margin for a 4-0 win over Bulgaria to collect third place. Despite going scoreless in the third place game, Stoichkov and Salenko finished the top scorers and Golden Shoe winners with six goals.
Brazil Champs After Baggio Missed Penalty
In a repeat of the 1970 final, more than 94,000 spectators watched the Brazil-Italy final in Pasadena. The dream final turned out to be a stalemate which was dead-locked at 0-0 after 120 minutes and would be the first ever to be decided in a shoot-out. The "Divine Ponytail" Baggio came into the shoot-out with his right hamstring heavily bandaged and the Italian star lifted his shot into the California heavens to clinch Brazil their fourth title and first since 1970.
