FOOTBALL: World Cup

▪ 1995

      Brazil became the first country to win the World Cup four times, defeating Italy 3-2 on penalty kicks in overtime in the final match at Pasadena, Calif., on July 17. Its previous victories were achieved in 1958, 1962, and 1970. There was no scoring in the 90 minutes of regulation play, and the extra half hour also failed to produce a goal. The drama was reserved for the shoot-out. Franco Baresi took the first kick for Italy but shot over the crossbar. For Brazil, Marcio Santos' effort was blocked by Gianluca Pagliuca. Demetrio Albertini then scored to give Italy a 1-0 lead. Romário (see BIOGRAPHIES (Romario )) tied it at 1-1, and then Alberigo Evani restored Italy's advantage 2-1. Branco made it 2-2, but then Daniele Massaro had his shot blocked by Cláudio Taffarel in the Brazilian goal. Dunga scored to put Brazil 3-2 in the lead, and it was left to Roberto Baggio, the world player of the year, to salvage the situation for Italy. However, he shot over the crossbar.

      The tournament as a whole, played in many cities in the U.S., attracted a total attendance of 3,567,415, a record for the World Cup. Despite pretournament misgivings, there were other pleasing aspects apart from the number of fans. For example, television ratings exceeded expectations. Some 8,760,000 U.S. households, representing a 9.3 rating, watched the second-round match between the U.S. and Brazil on ABC on July 4, and the final match was watched in 8,950,000 homes for a 9.5 rating.

      Though 15 players were sent off and 227 were cautioned, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association's (FIFA's) insistence that referees enforce the rule outlawing the tackle from behind led to a more sporting attitude on the part of the players, who had all signed a pledge to promote fair play. Brazil deservedly won the Fair Play Award. It was also the most technically gifted team in the finals, completing more passing movements than any other nation. FIFA's other initiative of allowing players not interfering with play to be allowed to stay onside contributed to an increase in goal scoring. Goals per game averaged 2.71, compared with the all-time low of 2.21 in 1990.

      Fan behaviour was generally disciplined, with a friendly atmosphere pervading the matches, and the plucky performance of the U.S. team captured the imagination of many American sports fans unfamiliar with soccer. There was tragedy, however. The assassination of the Colombian player Andrés Escobar back home near Medellín cast a shadow over the entire tournament. His crime: putting the ball into his own net in a defeat that cost Colombia dearly.

      Favoured teams such as Germany and the South American trio of Colombia, Argentina, and Bolivia disappointed, while Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Nigeria did better than expected. Romário of Brazil was the outstanding performer, though he tired noticeably in the final. (JACK ROLLIN)

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