The World Cup of nostalgia, that of the unforgettable song, that of Diego’s tears, brings together a cocktail of minimal stories that deserve to be remembered 30 years after the event. A summary, with characters, facts and anecdotes, of some unforgettable moments and protagonists of Italy 90.
LA NACION Special: interviews, memories and the best photos of a World Cup foreverThe impossible scorer
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He was not going to be on campus and was the scorer of the contest, with six goals. Toto (thus, with a check) Schillaci was a real stranger, he played in Messina, he was short, elusive and rogue. An opportunist, who found the opportunity of his life in his land. Juventus, oblivion and a reality show, in that order, followed in the footsteps of his life. One of his goals was against Argentina, in an advanced position. Azeglio Vicini, the coach, was inclined to Gianluca Vialli and Andrea Carnevale -and there were Baggio, Mancini and Serena.-, but fate had reserved his moment of glory.
The Italians called it “Salvatore di la patria”, with the effervescence of being able to discover the heir of Paolo Rossi, “the Golden Bambino”, of the champion of Spain 82. It was not like that: it went out after a snap.
Roger Milla, an indomitable lion
Who does not remember Roger Milla, the scorer with no expiration date? And of their dances, improper choreography at that time? At 38 years old (although many doubted that record), it was the sensation of the World Cup. Almost unknown, almost retired, logical substitute for Cameroon, a country that amazed the soccer world, and that only participated for an alleged personal favor for the President of the Nation. He was a footballer who was out of shape and could barely play half an hour per game. That’s right: a spell. He scored four goals and was decisive, until reaching the quarterfinals. And to think that Valeri Nepomniachi, the Russian coach, did not want him.
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He had played in the 1982 World Cup and later, he even acted in the United States 1994. Almost a delusion: he scored somewhat at 42 (supposed) years. In 1990, Milla played in the exotic Saint Pierroise on the French island of Reunion. He retired in 1996, with a couple of data that cause amazement: he scored 220 goals in 422 games in his career.
Roger Milla, with LA NACION: “Maradona or Messi? The best was Pelé” Higuita had a fatal flaw
Colombia was a ballet, which revolved around the Pibe Valderrama and the ideology of Pacho Maturana. In the arch, he had a showman: René Higuita, the archer who immortalized the scorpion. The tension of 0-0 against Cameroon in the round of 16 led to the extension, which had the cunning of Roger Milla and the overconfidence of Higuita, who came out playing almost to the center circle, was associated with Luis Carlos Perea, created a shrimp halfway after the defender’s return, and he fell for it. The scorer, who had already opened the scoring, took advantage of the gift.
The criminal that wiped out a nation
Sergio Goycochea’s flight, to the left and at half height, ended a country. Faruc Hadzibegic’s shot was stopped by the goalkeeper and Argentina, after a labyrinthine 0-0, prevailed 3 to 2 on penalties and sealed the classification heading to the semifinals. Yugoslavia, as such, was to disappear. It was his last match in a cup. The new world order, the end of the iron curtain and a brutal war between brothers, did the rest. Sustained in the formidable capital of Serbs and Croats, Yugoslavia was a power in the sports arena.
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A symbol: Hadzibegic was born in Sarajevo and his country is Bosnia. Ivica Osim, the coach of that team and born in the same city, once said: “The separation was brewing. However, you never know what would have happened, but if that prison had entered and if we were champions, perhaps the Balkan war would never have happened. “
United for the last time, Yugoslavia qualified for Euro 1992, but was excluded by war. Denmark took her place and, surprisingly, was the champion. But that is another story.
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