South Korea V Germany 2-3

The Germans entered this match knowing that they only needed a point to qualify for the second phase. Germany sailed into a 3-0 half time lead in this match. Klinsmann, in devastating form, put Germany in font in the 11th minute with a powerful shot, seven minutes later, Klinsmann started the move which led to Riedle scoring the second goal. South Korea put pressure on the German defence however it mounted to nothing through the first half. Klinsmann scored his second goal of the game in the 35th minute to make the score 3-0.

South Korea made two substitutions after the interval and, as Germany eased back, the South Koreans came into the game themselves. Eight minutes into the second half, Hwang Sun-Hong scored with a delicate flick and nine minutes later as the Germans suffered in the heat, Hong Myung-Bo scored a great goal with a 30-yard shot. As the game was now wide open, Berti Vogts, the German manager brought on Moller as a substitute in replace of Lothar Matthaus and restructured his defensive line up but his team still struggled to hold South Korea. For the remaining 25 minutes Germany were forced to pack their defence but, on three occasions they were saved by their goalkeeper Bodo Illgner whose acrobatic performance ensured that the score remained 3-2 to the Germans.

Romania V Colombia 3-1

Colombia topped the South American qualifying competition for the world cup even above previous finalists, Argentina, and was expected to do well in the world cup finals. Few people even considered that they could win the tournament.

The match between Colombia and Romania was the first game for either side in the group phase.
Colombia began the match well and were allowed a great deal of possession by the Romanians who seemed content to defend in depth. Some of the Colombians football was breathtaking, demonstrating their superior ball play. However, against the run of play, Romania took the lead in the 16th minute with their first attack of the match when Raducioiu took on three defenders before firing home a low shot. The Colombians kept on showing off their dazzling skills and were constantly threatening the equaliser, however on the half hour mark, Hagi made it 2-0 when he noticed Cordoba out of position and dipped a cross over his head into the net. The Colombians had few excellent opportunities however the Romanian keeper, Stelea kept the Romanian lead in tact with a string of brilliant saves until Valencia pulled a goal back for the Colombians in the 43rd minute when he headed in a corner from Perez.

In the second half, The Colombians put the Romanians under a great deal of pressure with Stelea called upon to prevent goal bound attempts from Asprilla and Alvarez before Raducioiu put the result beyond doubt with his second goal in the final few minutes.

Romania won this encounter 3-1, and the Colombian’s knew victory against USA in their following match would be vital if they were to progress any further.

Argentina V Greece 4-0

Diego Maradona had returned to the Argentinean side following his 15 month ban after failing a dope test whilst he was playing for Italian club, Napoli and his presence raised the spirits in the Argentine squad. The match against Greece was his 20th appearance in the world cup finals and this game certainly was a classic. Argentina took the lead in the first minute through Batistuta, throughout the match Argentina were never really tested by a Greek side that appeared to be in awe of the occasion. On the stroke of half time Batistuta scored his second of the match following a pass from Jose Chamot.

Diego Maradona was playing well throughout the match and caused problems for the Greek defence. On the hour mark, Maradona scored a brilliant goal with a 20 yard strike.

Batistuta scored his hat-trick during injury time from the penalty spot. Argentina were worthy winners of this match 4-0.

Germany V Belgium 3-2 - second round

The playing conditions, for this match was what all European teams had been hoping for- cool, windy and wet. which was a welcome change from the stifling heat of the group matches.

Despite the conditions, the game burst into life immediately as the Germans took the lead in the fifth minute with their first real attack of the match. Rudi Voller scored the goal and his presence in the team enabled the German’s to regain their championship winning form. Belgium immediately levelled the scoreline in the eighth minute but with Klinsmann able to play his preferred deeper game because of the presence of Voller, the Germans were in front only four minutes later. The Germans scored their third in the 40th minute, Voller scored his second of the game. The second half was played at a similar pace to the first. Klinsmann came close to adding two further goals but was thwarted by Preud’homme in the Belgium goal. With few minute remaining the German substitute, Kuntz, missed a great opportunity. With few minutes remaining, Albert scored a second for Belgium. Belgium then threw everyone into attack for the remaining few minutes of injury time, however the score remained 3-2, and the Germans were through to the quarter finals.

Romania 3-2 Argentina – second round

Argentina were still reeling from the after effects of Maradona’s expulsion from the tournament during this match. Romania on the other hand were coming into the game in impressive form, gaining seven out of nine possible points in their opening three group matches. Romania scored in the 11th minute through a Dumitrescu goal. Although Batistuta pulled a goal back for Argentina from the penalty- spot five minute later, Argentina proved to be no match for the Hagi- led Romanian side who went into the lead within two minutes by a second Dumitrescu goal. Hagi himself made it 3-1 in the 56th minute and despite a relatively respectable scoreline of 3-2, Argentina were totally outplayed by Romania. Abel Balbo was the Argentine player to score the second goal for Argentina.

Previous finalists, Argentina were now eliminated from the competition and Romania was through to the quarter finals.

Brazil V Holland 3-2

Holland took on Brazil in a hard-fought encounter in the quarter finals of the 1994 world cup. After an unmemorable first half, where neither side really created a clear opening, the match burst into life early in the second half and the pressure was on the Dutch. Romario opened the scoring seven minutes into the second half with a low drive and both he and Bebeto came close to adding a second within the next five minutes as Holland were struggling to contain the Brazilian attack. Bebeto added a second for Brazil in the 62nd minute when the linesman ignored a clear offside; however this seemed to spur Holland into action. Bergkamp made it 2-1 within two minutes and, when Winter headed Holland’s second just over to minutes later, the game could have gone either way. However Branco broke the deadlock when he smashed in a 25 yard free kick into the Dutch net to put Brazil into the semi finals of the 1994 world cup. Brazil won this encounter 3-2.

Italy V Spain 2-1

The opening game of the quarter finals was between Italy and Spain. Having twice come within minutes of elimination in the previous rounds, Italy rode their luck again in this match. The Italians were the better team during the opening stages of the game. In the 13th minute Roberto Baggio came close to scoring until his shot ricocheted off Ferrer for a corner. Twelve minutes later, Dino Baggio, put the Italians in front with a 15 yard drive.

Spain did their fair share of attacking as well. Caminero came close on two occasions. On the hour mark, Caminero equalised for Spain thanks to a deflection off one of the Italian players. In the 83rd minute Spain nearly took the lead when substitute Salinas was clean through with only Pagliuca to beat, however his shot hit the goalkeepers leg and was deflected away. With few minute remaining the Italian’s came into life and Roberto Baggio, Italy’s lone striker, broke free from the Spanish defence, rounded the keeper, and then scored the winning goal, that sent his team through to the semi-finals of the 1994 world cup finals.

Brazil V Italy 0-0 (3-2 penalties)

With both countries already having won the world cup on three occasions, the winner of this world cup final would be the first country to win the world cup four times.

Italian manager Sacchi, surprised everyone prior to the game by recalling Franco Baresi into the side, playing in the centre of his defence just three weeks after having a cartilage operation.

It only took three minute for the Brazilians to show they mean business when Mazinho flattened Berti and was booked and ten minutes after, Romario’s header was saved by Pagliuca. Italy nearly went ahead half way into the first half, when Baresi’s defence- splitting pass was collected by Massaro whose goal ward run was stopped by the Brazilian keeper. Neither side however could really take control of the game. The best opportunity of the match fell to the Brazilians in the 75th minute, Pagliuca mishandled a Mauro Silva shot which struck the post and fortunately for the keeper rebounded into his arms.

The game went into extra time, in only third minute, Pagliuca totally missed a Cafu cross presenting Bebeto with an open goal which he missed. Roberto baggio had a decent chance missed few minute later. There were few chances in the second period of extra time, and the match was to be decided by penalties.

At the point in penalties when Dunga converted his to make it 3-2 to Brazil, Roberto Baggio had the task of scoring his penalty to keep Italy in the competition. His penalty however went high into the crowd, and Brazil had won the world cup for the fourth time.