Wamma! 17 July 1994 in Pasadena. The World Cup Final between Italy and Brazil — the first FIFA Final decided by a penalty shootout. Italy's Roberto Baggio, the man with the ponytail who had SINGLE-HANDEDLY dragged Italy to the Final, stepped up to take the decisive penalty. He had to score for Italy to stay alive. He STRUCK the ball cleanly... and it SAILED over the bar. Baggio stood there, head bowed, hands on hips. The IMAGE of agonizing defeat captured forever. Brazil won their fourth World Cup!
Year: 1994 Match: Brazil vs Italy Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena Round: Final Category: Heartbreak
The Moment
- Roberto Baggio scored 5 goals in the knockout rounds to drag Italy to the Final almost single-handedly
- The 1994 Final was the first World Cup Final ever to be decided by a penalty shootout
- Baggio's penalty in the shootout sailed high over the crossbar with the shootout on the line
- Brazil won the shootout 3-2 and lifted their fourth World Cup trophy in Pasadena
- The image of Baggio standing motionless after his miss became one of football's most iconic photos
The Verdict
Baggio's missed penalty in 1994 is the cruellest moment in World Cup history. The man who had carried Italy to the Final with magical goals, missing the final penalty that handed Brazil the trophy. His pose — head down, hands on hips, ponytail hanging — captured the agony of defeat better than any photograph EVER. HEARTBREAK at its most pure!
Tomorrow: #8 — Stay tuned for the next magical World Cup moment!
