Roberto Baggio
Italy 2-0 Czechoslovakia, 1990 World Cup
Roberto Baggio was an unused substitute for Italy’s first two games at the 1990 World Cup, but he knew how to make an impact when he finally got his chance.
With just eight international caps under his belt, the 23-year-old was introduced to the starting line-up for the Azzurri’s final group game, against Czechoslovakia, and promptly scored one of the great World Cup goals.
On his first competitive outing for Italy, Baggio received the ball by the touchline on halfway and swiftly played a one-two with Giuseppe Giannini. From there, the Divine Ponytail raced infield, past Czechoslovakian skipper Ivan Hasek, and turned Miroslav Kadlec inside out before burying the ball beyond future QPR goalkeeper Jan Stejskal. A global star was born. For a man who scored an extraordinary number of incredible goals during his glittering career, this was arguably the most incredible of all.
“For me, that goal had big importance,” Baggio tells Fourfourtwo. “It was my first goal at a World Cup, and you never forget your first goal. In that moment, I realised that I could be successful at this level; that I had all the quality to do well on the biggest stage, against the biggest players.
“For sure, the goal was one of the most beautiful in my whole career.”
Baggio steered the Azzurri to the semi-finals on home soil before swapping Fiorentina for Juventus in a world-record £8m move. He was the star again at the 1994 World Cup, but infamously missed the decisive spot-kick in the final against Brazil – “the worst moment I have ever had in my life,” admits the 52-year-old.
But Italia 90 holds only fond memories for the forward. “I don’t exaggerate when I say that the whole atmosphere was simply fantastic,” he says. “I felt the love and the passion of the people. They were everywhere – when we were on our way to the stadium, they were there with us. It was really unbelievable. I’ll never forget that tournament.” Which goals would you like us to feature here? Tell us by emailing fourfourtwo@futurenet.com