1994 FIFA World Cup

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Introduction: 1994 World Cup

With Romário and Bebeto, Brazil’s team found the interconnection they so desired in the attack, besides counting on the talent of Taffarel in goal. The 1994 World Cup had exciting and emblematic moments remembered to this day by many Brazilians.

94 Cup fills Stadiums in the United States

The United States, host country of the 1994 World Cup, had the challenge of exciting Americans due to the low popularity of soccer there. Even so, the tournament was a success with large crowds and packed stadiums.

In the round of 16, the Argentine team was eliminated. This happened right after Diego Maradona failed an anti-doping test and was expelled from the championship.

As a result, Brazil was the only South American country to advance to the quarterfinals.

Oldest player to score in World Cups

At 42, Cameroon’s Roger Milla was the oldest player to score a goal in the history of the World Cup. However, this would be the team’s only goal in the match against Russia. The match ended 6-1, eliminating the African team from the 1994 World Cup.

In this same match, striker Oleg Salekno scored five goals for the Russians. In this way, he broke the record of the player with the most goals in a single match.

Romário and Bebeto: the duo made history in the 94 World Cup

The Brazilian team of ’94 went through the World Cup qualifiers with flying colors. But the player who stood out for Brazil to qualify was the diminutive Romário. Together with Bebeto, the striker duo ensured that the team advanced through the stages of the 1994 World Cup.

It was with a pass from Romário to Bebeto, in a tense game against the hosts, that Brazil eliminated the United States with the only goal of the game. However, the team coached by Carlos Alberto Parreira had a more defensive tactical scheme. It also had the ability of players such as Raí, Márcio Santos, Cafú and Branco.

Brazil vs. Holland in the 1994 World Cup

The Brazilian team excelled in the 1994 World Cup, especially in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands. Romário opened the score and Bebeto guaranteed the second Brazilian goal with an emblematic celebration. The forward waved his arms as if he were nursing his son who had been born two days earlier, a gesture that was copied many times later by other players.

However, the Dutch managed to react and tie the match. It was then that the full-back Branco, with a bombastic free-kick, ensured Brazil’s victory by 3-2.

Then, Romário scored the goal that guaranteed Brazil’s qualification to the final, in the game against Sweden (1 x 0).

Final of the 1994 World Cup: It’s the fourth time!

Reaching the final of the 1994 World Cup, the Brazilian team would have an exciting game against Italy. It was the first World Cup final to be decided on penalties. Taffarel shone and managed to save Massaro’s penalty kick.

But the great moment was Baggio’s long shot over the crossbar on the last Italian shot, which gave Brazil the victory. Captain Dunga lifted the World Cup trophy and Brazil was once again the best in the world.

The players returned in an unprecedented mood of celebration. Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo became the only person in the world to win the World Cup four times: 1958 and 1962 as a player, 1970 as coach, and 1994 as technical coordinator.

It was 24 years before the championship was won for the fourth time. The cry “It’s tetra! It’s tetra!”, uttered by sports narrator Galvão Bueno, is still remembered by Brazilians today.