Gianni Truvianni asked:
An article about the world cup Italia 90 which brought Italy close to the final only to be denied by Argentina, Maradona, off sides and penalties.
It was the end of the spring of 1990 and I found myself living in Warsaw, Poland where at the time I was attending a Polish course at the University of Warsaw, where I just happened to meet Danilo Facca from Pordenone, Italy. Danilo and I would go on to become friends and it would also be Danilo who introduced me to Catallini, the director of the Italian Center of Culture in Warsaw at the time. This the place which during the world cup would be open to all Italians or descendents of which; like myself to come and see Italy’s matches on a large 56” screen, thanks to Catallini’s most generous invitation.
This was also a time in my life when my dedication to photography was at its highest as I was taking about a role of film a day and truly developing my talent even having my first ever photos published that very year. As for the other factors which composed my life at the time, I after having studied Polish for the last 6 months could claim with all honesty that I had become a fluent speaker of the language. This because I was able to speak my mind’s thoughts without having to think too much of the words and could just about understand everything I heard provided it did not extend in to overly complicated subjects.
However in this time in my life; photography was my greatest passion to the point that it put aside almost completely my love for football, to such extent that I had just about forgotten that the world cup was coming. I had even had to be reminded by Danilo that the Champions League final was coming up and I looking back now I think I would have missed it had it not been for my friend who told me on what day it was going to be played. This meaning more to me since AC Milan had reached the final that year and would be playing against Benfica from Portugal, who they ended up beating 1-0.
As for myself at the time, apart from being a dedicated photographer I had recently turned 23 and had hair that went down to my shoulders or at least getting their since I had not cut it since the year before. To be more specific the last time I had had my hair cut was on the day I entered the “US Navy”, only to be discharged two months after, secure in the knowledge that enlisting had been my biggest folly (though not my only) and that Navy stood for “never again volunteer yourself”. It was to a place called Great Lakes (a.k.a. Great Mistakes), Illinois that I was sent by the US Navy to discover this reality of life.
Regarding my romantic life at the time; this I must claim not to have had any specific interests though there were many ladies whom I was keeping in touch with and as a strange coincidence. It was while paying one of them a visit that I found out the World Cup had started. I was in the apartment of one of these female friends of mine at the time when she turned on the TV and much to my interest their was a football game on. It was Argentina vs. Cameroon, which at first I did not think it to be a match from the World Cup but a friendly till I noticed who was playing and realized that this was the first game of the tournament. I naturally had been aware that the World Cup was due to begin but I just had lost track of the exact day on which it would do so.
As for the game itself, I would catch it when it was close to the end with Cameron much to my surprise already in the lead by 1-0, thanks to goal scored by Oman-Biyik in the 67th minute of the game. A goal, I would see in the postgame highlights which showed how this man probably leapt over a meter of the ground to get to that ball. Being that I caught the game close to the end, at the 80 minute mark all I got to see was Argentina’s desperate struggle to get that equalizer which never came. I must confess to have been glad Argentina lost as I was hoping Italy would not have to face them in the world cup and was even hopeful they would get eliminated before the stage in which they would have to play Italy. Maradona; all things considered was still young at 29 and a man to be respected and feared; as he remained in great form. This being precisely what he proved that year by taking; Napoli to their second “Seria A” title in three years even if he did not repeat as top goal scorer for what would have been the third time in his career.
All it took was that first match, even if I did not get to see all of it to get me in the right frame of mind to see the rest of the World Cup as I like in the previous three World Cups that I had seen was once again pulling for Italy to win and this time I was expecting Italy to be crowned champion for the 4th time. Italy after all were playing at home and were always a favorite to win any tournament so why shouldn’t they win one at home. I however did not know many of the players on Italy’s national team at the time apart from Donadoni and the rest of their AC Milan players like Baresi and Maldini, not that I was even sure if they were on the national team.
It was on the evening of the opening game that I got a call from Danilo, asking me if I cared to see Italy’s first game against Austria at the offices of the Italian Institute of Culture in Warsaw. It being a place with all the amenities I have already mentioned plus the fact that many members of the Italian community in Warsaw would be present however invitation given the limited space would be restricted to Italians only or those of the same kind of blood. This meaning I could see the games there but I would have to speak Italian to prove my ancestral connection with Italy not that my last name of Truvianni would not have done the same.
I without thinking the matter twice accepted Danilo’s offer and agreed to meet him the following day, half an hour before the start of the game in a café near my apartment called “Studio M” which was at the time what could be hailed as the place to be. All those who had money or connections as well as tourists could be seen there, for this place with its paintings, Scotch Whisky (one of the few places in Warsaw that served it at the time), well dressed gentlemen and attractive ladies was like a magnet for just about any who could afford such a place. Regarding the attractive ladies, it was the owner of this place Ursula, whom I held a special relationship with as we had come to know each other well and would go on to do so even better.
Danilo and I met at “Studio M” before the game, and I introduced him to this place and all those who I knew which seemed to make a favorable impression on him as he would become a regular. Danilo and I however did not have much in the way of time that day to enjoy Studio M, as we only had half an hour to get to the Italian Center of Culture (ICC) for Italy’s first match against Austria. As for the ICC, though it was not far from Studio M it did require a 10 minute walk which made us leave 15 minutes before as we did wish to get there on time not only to get a good seat but to introduce ourselves to our fellow Italians and hear “Fratelli D’ Italia” (Italy’s national anthem).
When we got to the place with not much time to spare before the game, I found it was not as crowed as I had expected it to be with perhaps only 10 or 12 being those present. Warsaw’s Italian community not being as large in those days as it is at present. Quick hellos were exchanged before the start of the match which Italy would be playing in Rome’s Olympic Stadium and as the game began there was something magical in it. I got that feeling all of a sudden of wanting Italy to win which I had not had since Italy played in the European Cup, held two years before in Germany. Italy had not had to qualify; meaning I did not get to see matches which served as a warm up and “international friendlies” not that I saw any of Italy’s are simply not the same to get one in what I would call the proper frame of mind for a world cup.
This one the other hand was a world cup match and I after four years was seeing my beloved “Squadra Azzuri” against Austria, a team Italy had beaten 1-0 in Argentina thanks to a 16 minute goal by Rossi. Rossi however was no longer playing and this was a new day but the same hope for me was rekindled by being in this place, surrounded by fellow Italian “tiffosi”, whose constant cheering lend a true flavor of a world cup to this otherwise simple room which served as a private theatre for the members of this organization.
Naturally with Italian fans around me; it did not take long for me to get in to the spirit of cheering Italy on and after a first half of so many near misses in which Italy should have been leading by at least two goals came the half time break with a score of 0-0. Half time was used to discuss what we all felt Italy should do with most agreeing that it was Italy’s forward Carnavali; who after squandering so many opportunities should be replaced. I for my part added to the conversation that Austria’s goalkeeper was the one who should take a lot of credit much like his predecessor Frederick Concilia from world cups past.
I in what would turn out to be a bizarre twist of fate told everybody that my mother was from Peru instead of the truth which was that she is from Argentina. This given that I; for some strange reason felt Italy would meet Argentina and did not want my fellow Italians to get the impression that my loyalties were not as they should be. Of course after the game and an Italian victory I could tell them the truth but by then it would not matter cause they would have seen for whom I was pulling for in a game between Italy and Argentina.
The second half came and so did more unused chances to score or at least till Carnavali was finally replaced by Schillaci. This substitution coming with a roar of approval from not only those present at the stadium but at the ICC. It in fact did not take Schillaci (whom I did not know of till that night), from Sicily long to break the dead lock as he did so upon his first touch of the ball. Schillaci’s goal came 78 minutes in to the game, sending all Italian football fans; myself including in to a frenzy of relieve with an enormous shout of “goal”. Schillaci’s goal coming on a header despite his being short. For us however the fans all that mattered was that Italy had scored and was winning 1-0. That first goal had put us, the fans of Italy in the spirit of the world cup, playing at home and about to win our first game and apart from that we had a team that could go all the way with players capable of doing so.
The game ended 1-0 in Italy’s favor and at that moment we felt sure that we could win it all or at least go on to the second round, as it would have been practically a national disgrace if Italy were to become the first hosting nation not to make it past the first round in a world cup. Specially one that made it possible for 16 teams out of 24 to go to the second round. It was incredible though how we; who had been strangers at the start of the game had become close and even friends. In a way all brought together by more then just a game but a common desire to see the same nation win; not only this match but the tournament as they had done 8 years before in Spain. This was the magic of Italian football and once again it had come back to me and I could see it in those around me and I was sure it was bound to stay or least till Italy won the world cup.
In the week that followed I naturally as a football (calcio in Italian) fan watched the other games even if Italy’s held the most importance to me. Germany made an impressive start seeming like tanks as they cut up Yugoslavia 4-1, while Uruguay managed a 0-0 draw with Spain in spite of having a penalty called in their favor which they obviously missed and controlling much of the game. Danilo and I also became better friends during this time often going to Studio M or other places, while we talked about things other then football. Danilo telling me he had played semi-pro basketball which was not surprising he did so as a guard with his physical height of 6’2”. I at that time did very little else apart from photography, though I vaguely recall telling Danilo that I might some day become a writer, given that I was thinking of a story I might some put down on paper or pen drive which I have yet to do.
After Austria, it was the United States and though I was born in New York, I was rooting for Italy all the way when they faced the USA. Again like the first match we all got together at the ICC to watch Italy defeat the United States 1-0 and assure itself of not making history for the wrong reason of being the first host nation not to go past the first round. The game against the USA was harder then originally imagined though we did win thanks to a beautiful goal by Giannini. This in an otherwise boring match that held few highlights apart from the goal and Italy missing their third penalty in as many world cups. The US, for all its qualities on defense only came close to scoring once but fortunately Ferri was standing on the line to prevent what would have been the tying goal.
Italy however despite boring the tifossi had won, its second game and had even assured its place in the second round as there was no way that it would not be going in to next round with four points, at least as the second place team. The question was could they win their group and qualify to the next round as the first place team? This of course they could do but they would have to beat Czechoslovakia, who had also won their first two games however with a better goal difference of 6-1 while Italy’s was 2-0.
By the third game, those of us who made it a point of going to ICC to see Italy play had become a sort of family, taking an interest in each other’s lives and what we were doing in Poland. I being the one who they referred to as the photographer; given my large Minolta camera which accompanied me everywhere I went. As for our confidence it had taken a slight turn down in direction after barely beating the US who had lost 5-1 to Czechoslovakia but we still felt we could go all the way to the final and beyond. We putting pessimism aside had four points in two games and had not conceded a goal but we needed to win against Czechoslovakia; more for our moral then anything.
Italy in this match got of to a good start as Schillaci playing as a starter for the first time put us ahead at 8 minute mark. His goal was screamed by all as it really brought us back to the level we wanted to see from Italy specially after the near disgrace of drawing to the United States at home. Schillaci had taken over for Carnevali, who had not lived up to expectations and thanks to him we were now going to qualify for the next round in first place, that is if we could remain on top in the score.
Czechoslovakia in what was the remainder of that first half scored a goal of their own which did dampen moods at first but fortunately it was disallowed unjustly I might add for a non-existent offside. Actually I will never forget how even the Italian announcer felt the goal should have been allowed as did all of us but unfortunately for Czechoslovakia it was not to be. The second half saw, the man who would become one of my all time favorite players; Roberto Baggio, specially during USA 94 score one of the best goals of the tournament after 78 minutes had past which more or less clinched first place for Italy.
Italy had qualified to the next round; winning its first three matches and not even allowing one goal against. This was something to celebrate and we did so by going to a restaurant after the match. I was in a good time of life as well, my photography was going nicely with much of my work just starting to get published and I even noticed I enjoyed Warsaw during the summer. The nice ladies in their clothes of the season and the world cup was going beautifully too. I even remember speaking to a fellow student of mine from Brazil from the university in the days that followed our win over Czechoslovakia and him telling me how Brazil was not playing as well as he would like; while Italy was doing marvelously.
Regarding the first round, many things of interest happened for instance the Netherlands and Ireland finished in a tie for second place with the exact goal difference and head to head their encounter had finished in a 1-1 draw, something which today would be a problem but then was not given that third place could also qualify. In this case the Netherlands was given third place and had to play Germany, while Ireland against Romania. Uruguay had qualified by the skin of their teeth with a last minute goal against South Korea that gave them a 1-0 victory though some felt the game should have been ended by the referee before. Actually if it had not been for this almost last second goal then Uruguay would surely not have qualified as they would have had two points, same as Austria and Scotland but would have missed out because both these countries had a better goal ratio at 2-3 while Uruguay would have been at 1-3. Germany had looked good but against Colombia; who also got a lost minute goal had been brought down a level or two perhaps because they were already qualified but still Colombia did play them well in a 1-1 draw.
To me however none of that mattered as I along with the rest of the “tifossi” were feeling we could go all the way and win and that last game had only confirmed it after which we even started feeling like champions. As for me I had one of the scariest moments of my life when one day before our match against Uruguay, I woke up with what unquestionable was the biggest pain in my life. I had urinated blood the night before but did not pay it much attention at the time but the next morning the pain was like a knife in me, which prompted me to call for an ambulance. I must say I had no idea what it was fearing I had something wrong with either my appendix or perhaps worse as the pain was excruciating. I had never thought about death but at that moment I felt close to it. It however turned out to be a simple kidney stone which the doctor in English explained to me was as painful for a man as it was for a woman to deliver a child. It in a way it was strange because my sister in Rome; who had had her children through suzerain had not experienced the pains of a normal birth but she however had been through the one of a kidney stone which she got in Ecuador. The doctor also told me it was really nothing but would prefer to keep me in the hospital one night for observation, which is precisely what happened apart for me getting a bill for 100 hundred dollars the following morning.
In the hospital I saw Germany vs. the Netherlands thanks to a TV set a patient had in another room. This a match which ended in a 2-1 victory for Germany in a game that will be mostly remembered for the way Rijkaard (Netherlands) and Voller (Germany) were both sent off. The first of these two players being shown the red card for clearly spitting at Rudi Voller for no apparent reason while it was never clear why Voller himself received his marching orders.
By the time the night game came that day I had accepted the idea that I would have to spend the night in the hospital and got cozy next to the TV for the South American classic that was sure to be Brazil vs. Argentina in Turin, which I would later find out was attended by my daughter’s future godfather whom I did not even know at the time. Brazil attacked, while Maradona was kept under extremely tight marking, though this came mostly assisted by vicious fouls just when he was about to get something going for his team.
Brazil came close on many occasions but like they say that only counts for horseshoes and hand grenades which this was not and as time wore on 0-0 was still the score, until Maradona put back the fear of him in all with another play that like his famous goal of four years earlier will live forever. Maradona got the ball in midfield and passed four players, almost one after the other and then with the last of these pulling him down by his jersey he managed to get off the perfect pass with his right foot to Caniggia, who put Argentina in front 1-0 and in to the next round.
The next day I got out of the hospital, relieved to be ok and going back to the place where we all had become one voice behind Italy and to celebrate that I was not going to die or at least not then. It was in Studio M that I had me a shot of Johnnie Walker red though in all honesty I would have preferred Glenfidich and would have had ordered it if they had had it but sometimes one must make do.
Danilo and I met at Studio M as had come to be our custom before matches and I told him much to his near shock how I had spent the night in the hospital but had gotten out just in time for the match. Uruguay had always been difficult for Italy as their style is one of physical play. The last time Italy and Uruguay had played in a world cup had been 20 years earlier in 1970. This in a game that not only failed to produce a goal in a 0-0 draw but to even render any moments of interest in a match that was one of the most boring ever seen in a world cup or any where else for that matter.
Once at the ICC with us arriving almost late we took our seats for what would be a close first half that would end 0-0. by then it was clear that this World Cup was one that would not see any big victories as most games would be limited to scores of 1-0 or 2-1; as was the case with most games as even a match between Argentina and Brazil had only produced one goal. Tense however we were as we waited for the second half with me telling all about my plight of the previous day, which brought some relief to all those who had come to know me that I apparently had come through it ok. The second half started and again it would be Schillaci at 65 minute mark with a great shot from outside the box to bring joy and shouts of goal in to the ICC one more time. Another goal would be coming for Italy that day as Serena also managed to get on the score board twenty minutes after Schillaci and give Italy its pass in to the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals came and so did Ireland; a team with a stubborn defense which we knew could upset us as they did four years later in USA 94 but that was for another time. Again like in the previous match it was Schillaci who only needed 38 minutes to put us ahead for good when he struck the back of the net. Italy would go on to win that match 1-0 though Schillaci came close to scoring another from a free kick only to have his shot bounce off the post and the line, in an effort that would have been a great goal had it gone in. Ireland however one must say left with their dignity as they only lost by one goal against Italy, who all things considered did have the home field advantage.
The semifinal came and who else but Argentina and Maradona should be waiting for Italy. I remembered watching Argentina’s game against Yugoslavia hoping that Argentina would loose and how close they came to being eliminated. Yugoslavia dominated for most of the game despite having one of its players sent of early and yet 0-0 would be the way it would end, after regulation and overtime. Maradona played that day perhaps one of the least inspired games I had ever seen from him and just as it looked as if Argentina were out after he and Troglio missed their penalty kicks, salvation came from their goalkeeper. Goycochea saved 3 penalties during that shoot out that put Argentina in to the semifinal against Italy.
I remember thinking how Italy had never lost to Argentina in a world cup but to certain extent Italy had never really beaten them either, in a sense that they had eliminated them. For instance their first game against each other in a world cup was in 74 in the first round. This a game that ended in a draw which Argentina benefited more from as they and not Italy qualified along with Poland to next round. So in a sense Argentina by holding Italy to a draw had really won. The next match between Italy and Argentina came in Argentina 78 and Italy did win 1-0 but little did it matter for both teams qualified to the next round. Argentina actually winning the world championship that year while Italy came in fourth. The next match came in Spain 82 and Italy repeated as winners but then again Argentina would have been eliminated just the same. This because Argentina lost their next match to Brazil and Italy could have even gone through to the semifinals, even if they had drawn against Argentina as they went on to defeat Brazil. The next world cup came; Mexico 86 and again Italy was made to face Argentina in the first round and did so in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw which was of little consequence as both teams went through just the same. Now it was going to be Italy against Argentina in Italia 90 for what would be their fifth encounter in as many world cups in a row. This I am sure is a record, for the amount of times two teams meet each other in consecutive world cups. Regarding however the record for the two teams that have faced each other the most times in world cup history, it is held by surprisingly Brazil and Sweden. This due to the fact that they have faced each other six times; with Sweden not even able to win one.
I as always wanted Italy to win but was still afraid to tell those around me that my mother was from Argentina as perhaps they would get upset specially if it should happen that Argentina would go on to victory and to the final. I decided to wait till the end and after Italy had won to let the cat out of the bag. The game was due to be played in Naples’s “Stadio San Paolo” in what for the last few years had been the home of Diego Armando Maradona and the truth was that Napoli’s fans had come to idolize the man. He had lead them; who had never won anything to a EUFA cup victory along with two national titles. Maradona was practically a god in Napoli at the time (and still is) but on this occasion he would be playing against Italy, which made it hard for many a fan to know where his or her loyalties lay during the game. I for my part was fearful something would happen but I did not know why. Italy had yet to yield a goal in the world cup while Argentina had struggled to get to the semifinal, only scoring four goals on their way while Italy, usually not known for as much offense had scored seven times. Argentina had even lost to Cameron yet I was worried though this I mentioned not to those who had become my friends at the ICC.
The game started with tensions at an extremely high pitch but it all exploded when again who else but Schillaci found the back of the Argentine net to give Italy a 1-0 lead after only 17 minutes of the first half. Italy was winning and such would the first half end; with all of us feeling in the final. Some of us, myself including were thinking of going to Italy to see the final live in Rome’s Olympic Stadium and with my brother-in-law being president of distribution at Columbia pictures in the city where the final was due to be, it was not unreasonable for me to think that I might get my hands on such tickets. We started saying how not if but when Italy plays the final the place will be full of people, as all would come even those who had only been to Italy once in their life or spoke as many as one word in Italian like Pizza or whatever. Baggio was not on the field but we were winning by one goal which with Zenga as our goalkeeper would be more then enough as he was close to breaking the record for most minutes without yielding a goal.
The second half started with Italy dominating and Argentina being pinned back and just when it appeared we might put it away with a second goal, Argentina scored one of their own at the 67 minute mark to level matters at 1 a piece. Claudio Caniggia had been the culprit for Argentina! An Argentine of Italian descent and the same player who had scored Argentina’s winning goal against Brazil had just complicated everything. As for Italy their goalkeeper; Zenga had been beaten for the first time in the world cup and it could not have come at a more inopportune moment for Italy, who know found themselves in a tight game with Argentina, which surely would be decided by the next goal.
Argentina had good moments in the second half, notably a run by Maradona in to a tightly packed Italian box after which he passed of to a player who could have done better with his shot. Italy however for the most part with the pressure of playing at home and in a world cup had to go forward, while Argentina apparently waited for the penalties which would undoubtedly decide all should the game end in a draw.
Italy after Argentina’s equalizer finally much to the delight of its fans brought in Baggio in place of the ineffective Vialli, who had not really shown much during the game. Baggio did bring energy and ideas to Italy’s offense however the game was still very hotly contested, in a game were marking on both sides was strict. Tense was the atmosphere in the ICC as we lived every moment of the game, hoping that every one of Italy’s shots on goal might be a goal while doing the opposite for Argentina’s. In a way it was the first time Italy had had any real drama in that world cup as before they had been winning every game at that point of the match but now the time had gone over the 85 minute and still 1-1. Schillaci who had been a very effective goal scorer for Italy up and till that moment; netting goals in 5 out of their 6 games including this one against Argentina suddenly started to falling with tremendous ease and frequency in to the Argentine off sides trap. In the course of the evening, Schillaci would be caught on off sides as many as 9 times by the Argentine defense, making it seem that his anxiety to score, which even displayed in his eyes after doing so was being used against him.
The game ended at 1-1, making overtime a must, though perhaps Italy held an advantage in conditioning given that Argentina was playing their second overtime in as many games while Italy had yet to be taken past the regular 90 minutes. At this point nothing seemed certain for Italy but loosing was still something most did not count on, tensions nervous were high as the first period of overtime started. It would not be sudden death in the form of a golden goal or even a silver one, which meant the team that was winning by the end of the first half of overtime would be declared the winner but 30 minutes of football regardless of what happened. How one suffers in such moments only those who have seen their teams play know for sure or those who have been of the field naturally as any mistake could mean being out and having to wait four more years to hopefully be in the same place but for Italy playing at home; the pressure was on to please their fans.
Overtime started and all back to their seats and though Italy was clearly on offense by now with Argentina now concentrating on defending what they had, the game was still difficult as Italian attack after attack was met with solid defense from not only the Argentine defense but their solid goalkeeper, Goycochea. This a player (like Schillaci) who had not even been a starter for his team at the start of the tournament but had been brought in when Pumpido (Argentina’s world cup winning goalkeeper from Mexico 86) broke his leg.
A small break came for Italy when 13 minutes in to the first half of overtime, Guisti was shown the red card for a brutal foul on Baggio, which even left him with blood on his forehead. It actually was a Polish linesman who pointed out to Quiniou (the French referee) what had taken place behind his back, much like was the case with Zidane’s head but on Matterasi in the 2006 final.
Overtime however ended the way it had began at one a piece with Caniggia being shown his second yellow card of the tournament for a blatant handball, which in fact should have been a red card as it was his second time deliberate handling the ball. The first time the referee had been convinced by Maradona to pardon his offense which would have made his second handball punishable by a red card. Argentina had managed a draw with Italy on their home field but many things did they do that today’s rule would not allow, like many deliberate back passes to their goalkeeper, last man fouling a player who was in the clear before he got in to the penalty box which today would be a red card apart from tackling from behind.
Before the penalties started I will never forget how some including my friend Danilo were thinking that Italy would loose, I for my part was unsure of victory though defeat was something that my mind had not yet considered. Penalties started once each team had chosen the five players who would take their kicks.
Italy went first and scored through Baresi, our solid captain and defender from AC Milan, brought us relieve as now it would be Argentina who would have to score to keep matters level. Serrizuela scored for Argentina much against our hopes that he would not to make it 1-1. Baggio’s turn came and he made no mistake setting the score at 2-1 for Italy. At that moment drama was at its heights as every kick could bring victory or defeat for either team.
Burruchaga came next and for a brief second it seemed his shot would be saved by Zenga; who managed to get a hand on the ball but could not keep it out or prevent Argentina from tying the score at two a piece. De Agostini was next and he too scored making it 3-2 for Italy.
Who would blink first was the question on the mind’s of all those who watched weather in the San Paolo or on TV through out the world. Olarticoechea scored again for Argentina to level the issue one more time at 3-3.
Donadoni came next, now we were in the crucial phase of the penalties, were it could end in almost a flash. Donadoni strikes the ball but Goycochea saves, no goal and our hearts dropped. I however felt victory was still possible, for had Argentina also not been trailing to Yugoslavia in penalties only to have Goycochea save two penalties, to pull it out of the bag for them and this I reminded my “paesanos” about. I also mentioned to keep up moral that Maradona; who was coming up next for Argentina had missed a penalty against Yugoslovia. This meaning he was great but not infallible and it after all could happen again. Maradona however put his penalty away and Argentina now lead 4-3 in penalties however it was still not over for if Serena scored and Zenga saved Argentina’s last penalty; Italy would be on level terms one more time. It was a glimmer of hope but it could be. I had seen it before and as Serena stepped up to take Italy’s penalty; I got a sensation of how it might be if we pulled through. For in a way we deserved it for trying so hard during the game.
Serena’s weak shot however was easily saved by Goycochea and it was all over, hitting me like a bucket of cold water. Italy had lost, there would be no fourth title, not even a fifth appearance in the final. It seemed at that moment that the world had come to an end, nobody around me dared to say anything as we watched Argentine players celebrate by throwing themselves, one upon the other but for me the image of Goycochea getting up and running with his fist held in the air after denying both Serena and Italy is one which I will never get out of my mind.
Despair was what we felt and though nobody cried, it was clear that we had been eliminated from the final though not the world cup as we would be playing for third place, which was little if any compensation for not winning the world cup. It was not that I had not seen Italy loose in a world cup before as I had in Argentina 78 or Mexico 86 but this time it was on our home turf, where we were expected to win and should have. Regrets were many after the game; as are always when one looses. If Baggio had played from the start or had come in before, if Schillaci had been more aware of not getting caught on offside so many times not that we agreed that he had been every time the judge had said he was and if only we had not missed those penalties.
All these questions raged in our minds as we went home after having lost but it changed nothing for we would not be playing in the final and nothing could alter that. Danilo even joked that next world cup or the one after the next should be held in San Marino, and that way for Italy it would be like playing at home once again. I for my part, on a personal note given that Argentina had won or Italy had lost depending on the point of view decided not to tell anybody where my mother was really from as I might be unwelcome.
Italy had won the world cup playing at home in 1934, why couldn’t it have been again was all I wanted to know and as I went to sleep that night tired and exhausted all I kept thinking of was how it would not be Italy to win two out of three world cups but it might be Argentina to win three out of four as Brazil had once done. The next day came and I had gotten over having lost as such is life and football, I naturally knew Italy would not take long in getting back to where they had been in this world cup even if it would be a struggle to do so.
Next day Danilo and I went to Studio M to watch England vs. Germany; to see who Argentina would meet in the final. As for myself I leaned toward England not because of any anti German or pro English sentiments for that matter but simply for the reasons that I did not want to see a repeat of the final that had been four years before. I also did not wish to see Germany win a third title which would have put them level with Italy on titles won. It was these reasons and the fact that it would have been interesting to see Argentina play England again that made me pull slightly in England’s direction over Germany’s. Specially after their last match in Mexico 86 which would be remembered for Argentina winning thanks to Maradona’s goals, one the infamous “hand of God” and the other what some were already arguing was one of the greatest goals ever scored.
The game between England and Germany was a lot of fun to watch as I other then having a slight preference for England did not really care who won. Both teams attacked and chances came at both ends with England slightly having an advantage in time position of the ball. I particularly remember a shot from midfield by an English player that hit the post but would not have counted had it gone in; given an already signaled offside by the referee. Despite all the offense in the first half it would end at 0-0.
It was at the 15 minute mark of the second half that the dead lock was broken in Germany’s favor when a free kick by Andreas Brehme deflected off an English player by the name of Paul Parker over Peter Shilton and in to the back of net. Germany was leading 1-0 but England were not finished as Gary Lineker would prove by scoring his fourth goal of the tournament and the one that would bring back the dead lock which would last through out the rest of the game. After the 90 minutes were up I remember thinking how England and Germany had played three previous world cup matches, all of which (this one included) ended in a draw after regulation time, out of which two had required overtime like this one would.
Overtime however ended in a 1-1 draw and after 120 minutes of play that saw Paul Gascoigne get a yellow card that sent him to tears as he like Caniggia would not be playing the final even if England were to go through. In fact both teams came ever so close in overtime; even taking turns in hitting the post but penalties it would be like it had been in the first semifinal.
England and Germany scored their first three shots with Shilton coming close on all three German penalties but it would be Pierce who missed first for England. Pierce, the man who had never missed a penalty had his shot saved by Illgner, the German goalkeeper who had never stopped a penalty before. Germany, at moment went for the kill. Thon stepped up to the penalty spot and scored and by doing so put all the pressure on England’ next kicker to score for if he did not it would be all over. Waddle, England’s next penalty kicker came and missed by sending his shot over the bar and Germany in to the finals. Germany vs. Argentina it would be one more time, a repeat of the previous final. This also making Germany and Argentina, the first two teams who would play each other in the final for a second time, Italy and Brazil would become the second two teams to do likewise in USA 94.
Saturday arrived, the day on which Italy would play England for third place and what I remember is that not knowing weather or not the ICC would be open for us to watch the game. Danilo and I had not agreed to meet before the game and no one had said anything regarding this rather insignificant match as what reward is there in third place over fourth place but regardless of which I wanted to watch it. I not having a color TV at home went to a hotel lobby to watch the game; where I met two German fans, who simply flaunted to me how it would be them who were going to be playing the final, not Italy. It was their turn, after all we had beaten them in the final in 82, so now it was them who stood to take it all.
The first half was interesting, despite ending with a blank score board as both teams played to win and entertain not really thinking so much of the defensive play that had marred many of the games. I however when the first half ended got the idea that perhaps I was doing a disfavor to my fellow Italians by not watching the game with them so I took a taxi to the ICC, which to my slight surprise was open with all those who had been their from the start, including Danilo.
I was welcome as I entered the place, a few minutes after the second half had started as nobody seemed to mind my coming late though I was slightly embarrassed that I had not been their since the start. The mood was relaxed; almost like a friendly and I even started thinking about a discussion Danilo and I had had weather it was better to win the match for third place or loose in the final with me arguing that the first choice was preferable over the second. Danilo however said he opted for the second one if given a choice but depending on how one lost in the final.
Baggio scored after 70 minutes of play taking advantage of a clear Shilton error and putting Italy ahead though not for good as Plat would equalize 11 minutes later with a spectacular header beating Zenga for the second time in the world cup. Actually what I most remember most about this goal was Marcello, a friend of Danilo applauding after the ball had gone in the net and many thinking at the time it had been me, who had cheered a goal by our adversary. Marcello however would tell all that the clapping had come from his hands.
It however only took Italy five minutes to regain the lead as England gave away a penalty which like the one in the final was not all that clear but in all cases Italy did not mind getting a favorable decision. Schillaci given his many goals was given the task of not only putting Italy in the lead but of scoring his 6th of the tournament which would give him one more then Czechoslovakia’s Skuhravy as well make him top goal scorer of Italia 90. Schillaci much to his credit did not disappoint on his penalty kick which put the score at 2-1 for Italy and thus it would end. Italy would even go on to score another goal which I might add was wrongly disallowed for offside but this was of little or no consequence for the result was the same, third place for us, fourth for England.
The final was left but that is another story for Italy’s participation in Italia 90 was over. Third place was not bad but it was not what we were hoping for as it was not complete victory, making me realize what my father had said was true. It being that when football’s top four, who can be listed as Italy, Argentina, Brazil and Germany play a tournament they do so to win and nothing else but the title will do, for anything less is considered failure. For other teams third place is considered an achievement. This for instance being the case of Poland, who celebrated their third place in Germany 74 for many years to follow and still to this day consider it a great moment for their football but then again they are not Italy, nor do they have the same tradition in the sport we call “calcio”.
After the game, much to my delight; all of us who had supported Italy through out their campaign at ICC were asked by Catallini himself to come to his house the following day to watch the final in an invitation that included lunch. This being something I would look forward to as Catallini for all his bluntness was not a man without charm.
Italy looking back on Italia 90 was not without its achievements which came in the form of coming in third place, Schillaci being top goal scorer and nominated FIFA’s best player of the tournament, Zenga setting a record for most minutes without a goal allowed that included five perfect games, Italy also with only two goals allowed; set a record for the least goals allowed in a world cup by a team which had played 7 games. This last record being one that Italy would tie in the 2006 World Cup. All of which made defeat slightly less bitter but still champions we were not. As a footnote though I did not hear about it at the time, “The Three Tenors” performed their first concert in Rome on the very day Italy beat England for third place.
Alfonso
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Jun 18 2008
