The 1994 FIFA World Cup knockout stage was the second and final stage of the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals in the United States. The stage began on July 2, 1994, and ended with the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on July 17, 1994.
Sixteen teams advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination style tournament: The top two teams from each of the six groups, as well as the best four third-placed teams. In the round of 16, the four third-placed teams played against four of the group winners from group A-D, with the remaining two group winners from group E and F taking on two of the group runners-up; the remaining four runners-up were paired off against each other. The winners of the eight round of 16 matches were then paired together in the quarterfinals, the winners of which played against each other in the semifinals.
The ties in each round were played over a single match; in the event that scores were level after 90 minutes, the teams would play an additional 30 minutes of extra time, divided into two 15-minute halves, to determine the winner. If the scores remained level after extra time, the teams would contest a penalty shootout.
A third place match was also held on the day before the final, between the two losing teams of the semifinals.
Qualified teams
The top two placed teams from each of the six groups, plus the four best-placed third teams, qualified for the knockout stage.
Based on group results, the matches would be the following in Round of 16:
Round of 16
Teams per qualified group positions
Teams identified
Match 1:
A1 – C3/D3/E3
Romania – Argentina
Match 2:
B2 – F2
Sweden – Saudi Arabia
Match 3:
F1 – E2
Netherlands – Ireland
Match 4:
B1 – A3/C3/D3
Brazil – United States
Match 5:
E1 – D2
Mexico – Bulgaria
Match 6:
C1 – A3/B3/F3
Germany – Belgium
Match 7:
D1 – B3/E3/F3
Nigeria – Italy
Match 8:
A2 – C2
Switzerland – Spain
The pairings for matches 1, 4, 6, and 7 depended on who the best third places were that qualified for the round of 16. The following table, published in Section 28 of the tournament regulations, shows the different options to define the rivals of the winners of groups A, B, C, and D.
A quick goal by Dahlin in the first half and two second half goals by K. Andersson saw Sweden go through to the quarterfinals. The Saudi players could answer with just one goal scored by Al-Ghesheyan 5 minutes from the end.[1]
Two quick goals by Dumitrescu and one more by Hagi in the second half sealed the victory for Romanians. After Batistuta's penalty kick and Balbo's rebound Argentina attacked desperately but couldn't score for the third time.[2][3]
This was the third time that Brazil defeated the host nation of tournament, after Sweden in 1958 and Chile in 1962 (coincidentally, on these three occasions Brazil became world champion).
Since the kick off, Brazil set the pace, controlling ball possession and playing it on United States field. Left-back Leonardo was the main source of attacking, but at last minute of the first half, on a ball disput just by sideline, he threw his elbow on Tab Ramos' jaw, breaking it, knocking the North American down and being sent off. Later, Leonardo would be expelled out of the World Cup.
On the second half, Carlos Alberto Parreira put right-back Cafu on the left-back, benching Zinho. Even with one man down, Brazil kept the pace. At 72th minute, Romário recovery a ball possession on midfield, ran to opposite box and delivered it to Bebeto, who shoot just between Tony Meola and the post, giving Brazil the lead and the victory.
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