Football World Cup 1990

The 1990 Football World Cup was held in Italy. It was won by West Germany, who beat Argentina 1-0 in the final.

Related Topics:
1990 - Football World Cup - Italy - West Germany - Argentina

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With its third title (and three second place finishes) Germany became the most successful World Cup nation for 4 years, until Brazil won their 4th Championship in 1994. German team manager Franz Beckenbauer became the second footballer, after Mario Zagallo of Brazil, to become World Champion as a player (in 1974) and as team manager. In doing so, Beckenbauer also became the first captain of a winning team to later manage a winning squad.

Related Topics:
Brazil - 1994 - Franz Beckenbauer - Mario Zagallo - 1974

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The format of the competition stayed the same as in 1986: 24 teams qualified, divided into six groups of four. 16 teams would qualify for the knockout competition: six group winners, six second place finishers, and four best third place finishers. Three nations qualified for the first time in their history: Costa Rica, the Republic of Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.

Related Topics:
1986 - Costa Rica - Republic of Ireland - United Arab Emirates

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The World Cup began with an upset. Defending champion Argentina fell 0-1 to Cameroon in the opening match. The goal was headed in by François Omam-Biyik. Cameroon went on to become the surprise team of the Championship, becoming the first African nation to go to the quarter finals and bowing there only in extra time with 2-3 to England after leading 2-1. Cameroon's Roger Milla, who came out of retirement specifically for the World Cup, became an international superstar at age 38, long after most top-level footballers typically retire.

Related Topics:
Cameroon - François Omam-Biyik - Africa - England - Roger Milla

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But Argentina recovered from their defeat and went all the way to the final. On their way they defeated Brazil in the round of the last 16 and, in the semi final, were the first team in this tournament to score a goal against the hosts Italy, winning through a penalty shootout after a 1-1 score after extra time. Argentinian goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea saved two penalty kicks.

Related Topics:
Italy - Penalty shootout - Sergio Goycochea

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Italian Salvatore Schillaci won the Golden Boot with six goals, scoring a goal in every game that he apeared in. Amazingly, 'Toto' had played for Italy only once prior to the tournament.

Related Topics:
Italian - Salvatore Schillaci - Golden Boot

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The World Cup 1990 is widely regarded as the least spectacular and most cynical World Cup ever, with a record-low goals-per-game average and (at the time) record 16 red cards. Most teams relied heavily on defensive play and hard tackling, as well as aggressive intimidation of the referee. In the knock-out stage of the cup, many teams would "play it safe" for 120 minutes and try their luck in the penalty shootout, rather than risk going forward. Runners-up Argentina was the prime example of this trend, taking the silver medal despite scoring only 5 goals in 7 games. World Champions West Germany was one of the few teams to choose an attacking style of play.

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