From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Colombia at the 1994 FIFA World Cup
Colombia at the 1994 FIFA World Cup
Colombia had arrived at the 1994 FIFA World Cup with 12 1GK Farid Mon- 21 June Ar-
high expectations. An impressive qualifying campaign dragón 1971 (aged gentinos
had included a 5-0 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires 22) Juniors
and the Colombians played with a dazzling, carefree style
that seemed to have been lost from the South American 13 2DF Néstor Or- 20 Once
game. tiz September Caldas
1968 (aged
25)
1994 Colombian Squad 14 3MF Leonel Ál- 29 July
Head coach: Francisco Maturana varez 1965 (aged América
No. Pos. Player DoB/Age Caps Club 28) Cali
1 1GK Óscar Cór- 3 February 15 2DF Luis Carlos 29 Decem- Atléti-
doba 1970 (aged América Perea ber 1963 co Junior
24) Cali (aged 30)
2 2DF Andrés Es- 13 March 16 4FW Víctor Aris- 9 Decem- Atléti-
Atléti-
cobar 1967 (aged tizábal ber 1971 co Na-
co Na-
27) (aged 22) cional
cional
3 2DF Alexis Men- 8 Novem- 17 3MF Mauricio 22 January Atléti-
Atléti-
doza ber 1961 Serna 1968 (aged co Na-
co Junior
(aged 32) 26) cional
4 2DF Luis Fer- 12 June Atléti- 18 2DF Óscar 19 October Mil-
nando Her- 1962 (aged co Na- Cortés 1968 (aged lonarios
rera 32) cional 25)
5 3MF Hermán 27 Novem- 19 3MF Freddy 14 August
Atléti-
Gaviria ber 1969 Rincón 1966 (aged Palmeiras
co Na-
(aged 24) 27)
cional
20 2DF Wilson 6 August
6 3MF Gabriel 8 Decem- Atléti- Pérez 1967 (aged América
Gómez ber 1959 co Na- 26) Cali
(aged 34) cional
21 4FW Faustino 10 Novem- Parma
7 4FW Antony de 21 Decem-
Asprilla ber 1969
Ávila ber 1962 América (aged 24)
(aged 31) Cali
22 1GK José María 4 April Atléti-
8 3MF Harold 30 March Pazo 1964 (aged co Junior
Lozano 1972 (aged América 30)
22) Cali
9 4FW Iván Valen- 18 March
ciano 1972 (aged
Atléti-
co Junior
1994 FIFA World Cup Qualifica-
22) tion
10 3MF Carlos 2 Septem- Atléti- Following an early exit at Italia ’90, Colombia was ready
Valderrama ber 1961 co Junior to show the world their skill in football. Colombia would
(aged 32)
have an impressive campaign that included a shocking
11 4FW Adolfo Va- 6 February Bay- 5-0 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires leaving them un-
lencia 1968 (aged ern Mu- defeated in Group A. Ironically, Argentina had been un-
26) nich defeated for 30 games until they lost against Colombia in
Barranquilla 2-1 on August 18. On September 5, 1993, Ar-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Colombia at the 1994 FIFA World Cup
gentina welcomed Colombia to Buenos Aires for their fi- and Switzerland. Before the World Cup began however
nal Group A qualifier for USA 94. Lying a point behind the the Colombians found themselves in a problematic sit-
Cafeteros, Alfio Basile’s side needed a win to qualify di- uation. Colombia’s preparations were conducted against
rectly while Colombia needed a tie. What they produced a backdrop of rumors that betting syndicates and drug
instead was one of biggest debacles in the history of Ar- cartels were exercising their influence over the squad.
gentine football as they were crushed 5-0 by the Colom- Coach Francisco Maturana was reported to have received
bians and consigned to a play-off against Australia. This death threats over matters of team selection. Barabas
historic victory made Colombia one of the favorites to Gomez was dropped from the squad presumebly because
win the 1994 FIFA World Cup. of threats, with Hernán Gaviria taking his place.
Qualification - CONMEBOL Group A Whatever the truth, Colombia’s players were affect-
August 1, 1993, Barranquilla, Colombia - Colom- ed. They looked edgy and unfocused as they suffered a
bia 0 - 0 Paraguay shock 3-1 loss in their opening game against Romania.
August 1, 1993, Lima, Peru - Peru 0 - 1 Ar-
Colombia: 1-3 :Romania
gentina
August 8, 1993, Asunción, Paraguay - Paraguay June Colombia 1–3 Ro- Rose Bowl,
18, mania Pasadena
1-3 Argentina
1994 Valencia (Report) Răducioiu Attendance:
August 8, 1993, Lima, Peru - Peru 0 - 1 16:35 91,586
Colombia 43’ 15’, 89’
PDT Hagi 34’ Referee: Ja-
August 15, 1993, Asunción, Paraguay - Paraguay mal Al
2-1 Peru Sharif (Syr-
August 18, 1993, Barranquilla, Colombia - Colom- ia)
The match between Colombia and Romania was the first
bia 2 - 1 Argentina
game for either side in the group phase. Colombia began
August 22, 1993, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Ar-
the match well and were allowed a great deal of posses-
gentina 2 - 1 Peru sion by the Romanians who seemed content to defend
August 22, 1993, Asunción, Paraguay - Paraguay in depth. Some of the Colombians football was breath-
1-1 Colombia taking, demonstrating their superior ball play. It seemed
August 29, 1993, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Ar- as if there was only one team on the pitch. However,
against the run of play, Romania took the lead in the 16th
gentina 0 - 0 Paraguay
minute with their first attack of the match when Florin
August 29, 1993, Barranquilla, Colombia - Colom- Raducioiu took on three defenders before firing home a
bia 4 - 0 Peru low shot past goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba. The Colombians
September 5, 1993, Lima, Peru - Peru 2 - 2 kept on showing off their dazzling skills and were con-
Paraguay stantly threatening the equaliser, however on the half
September 5, 1993, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Ar- hour mark, Gheorghe Hagi made it 2-0 when he noticed
Cordoba out of position and dipped a cross over his head
gentina 0 - 5 Colombia
into the net. The Colombians had excellent opportunities
Rank Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD however the Romanian keeper, Stelea kept the Romanian
1 Colom- 10 6 4 2 0 13 2 11 lead intact with a string of brilliant saves until Valencia
bia pulled a goal back for the Colombians in the 43rd minute
when he headed in a corner from Perez. In the second
2 Argenti- 7 6 3 1 2 7 9 -2
half, The Colombians put the Romanians under a great
na deal of pressure with Stelea called upon to prevent goal-
3 6 6 1 4 1 6 7 -1 bound attempts from Asprilla and Alvarez before Florin
Paraguay Raducioiu put the result beyond doubt with his second
4 1 6 0 1 5 4 12 -8 goal in the final few minutes. Romania won this en-
Peru
counter 3-1, and the Colombians knew victory against
Colombia qualified. Argentina advanced to the USA in their following match would be vital if they were
CONMEBOL / CONCACAF / OFC Intercontinental Play-off. to progress any further.
1994 FIFA World Cup United States: 2-1 :Colombia
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the World June United 2–1 Rose Bowl,
Cup, was held in the United States from June 17 to July 22, States Colombia Pasadena
17. Colombia was placed in Group A with Romania, USA, 1994 Attendance:
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Colombia at the 1994 FIFA World Cup
Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD
Romania 6 3 2 0 1 5 5 0
Switzerland 4 3 1 1 1 5 4 +1
United States 4 3 1 1 1 3 3 0
Colombia 3 3 1 0 2 4 5 -1
16:35 Escobar 35’ (Report) Valencia 93,689 With two defeats in their opening matches, Colombia’s
PDT (OG) 90’ Referee: only hope to reach the 2nd Round was to defeat Switzer-
Stewart 52’ Fabio Bal- land and hope Romania would lose against the US in or-
das (Italy) der to end in third place due to goal differences. Due to
Possibly the most crucial game in Group A for Colombia. the format of the 1994 World Cup, the four best third-
The USA knew they weren’t favorites but played with place finishers would advance. A header by Gavaria and a
passion and determination while Colombia was focused shot by Lozano gave Colombia a 2-0 victory over Switzer-
on attacking their opponents in order to get an early land. However, news that Romania had won against the
goal. As the game started off, the Americans put up fierce US meant Colombia was out and going home. On July 2,
resistance as Colombia launched several attacks. The 1994, Escobar was shot outside a bar in a Medellín sub-
Americans survived an early scare when Marcelo Balboa urb. According to Escobar’s girlfriend, the killer shouted
had to clear the ball out of the goal’s mouth after goal- "¡Gooooooooooooool!" (mimicking South American sporting
keeper Tony Meola had failed to save the shot from An- commentators for their calls after a goal is scored) for
thony de Avila. Balboa and Alexi Lalas held the creative each of the 12 bullets fired. The murder was widely be-
Colombians at bay in the center of the defense while lieved to be a punishment for the own goal scored against
Earnie Stewart and John Harkes led several counterat- the United States.
tacks against Colombia. In the 35th minute, John Harkes
crossed the ball towards Earnie Stewart, and it was de- 1994 FIFA World Cup - Group A [Final
flected by the confident Colombian defender Andres Es- Standings]
cobar into the net to give the U.S. a shock 1-0 lead. An-
Group A - Final Standings
dres Escobar was stretching out to cut the cross and clear
the ball out of the penalty area. Celebrations went wild USA 1 Switzerland
as the USA took the lead. Colombia continued its attacks -
while Andres Escobar was determined to repair his error. 1
In the 56th minute, Tab Ramos fired a shot through Colombia 1 Romania
Colombia’s defense, and Earnie Stewart was there to tap -
it in past Oscar Cordoba for the 2-0 lead. Even though 3
Adolfo Valencia scored a late goal for Colombia, the U.S. Switzerland 4 Romania
claimed their victory. -
1
Switzerland: 0-2 :Colombia USA 2 Colombia
June Switzerland 0–2 Stanford -
26, Colombia Stadium, 1
1994 Palo Alto
(Report) Gaviria Switzerland 0 Colombia
13:05 Attendance:
44’ -
PDT 83,401
Lozano 2
Referee:
90’ Peter USA 0 Romania
Mikkelsen -
(Denmark) 1
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Categories:
• Colombia national football team
• 1994 FIFA World Cup
• 1994 in Colombia
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Colombia at the 1994 FIFA World Cup
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