Hurt and under pressure with Italy, Baggio stepped up for the final kick in the first World Cup final decided on penalties.
The ball sits in front of Roberto Baggio. Brazil has just taken the lead in the penalty shootout, and Italy has no room left for a miss. Baggio must score to keep his team alive. Even if he does, though, the title is not yet Italy’s.
A final without goals
On July 17, 1994, Brazil and Italy met at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Kickoff was at 12:30 p.m. local time, in intense heat. Brazil was trying to end a 24-year wait for a world title, dating back to the 1970 World Cup. Italy had reached the final with Baggio at its center; he would finish the tournament with the Silver Ball.
The match went through 90 minutes and another 30 in extra time without a goal. It was the first World Cup final to be decided on penalties. Baggio also entered the match with pain in his right thigh, after receiving prolonged treatment for a strong challenge by a Bulgarian defender in the semifinal.
Each team had up to five kicks, taken by different players. If one side built a lead the other could no longer overcome, the shootout would end before all five attempts.
The shootout shifts with every kick
Franco Baresi went first for Italy and sent the ball over the bar. Márcio Santos could have put Brazil ahead, but Pagliuca saved his shot. Demetrio Albertini scored on Italy’s next attempt; Romário answered to level the score. Then Alberico Evani converted for Italy, and Branco did the same for Brazil. Three kicks apiece: 2–2.
In the fourth round, Daniele Massaro stepped up. Taffarel saved his kick. Dunga then scored to put Brazil ahead, 3–2. Italy had reached its final attempt with no way to catch up if it missed.
The kick that could not secure the title
Roberto Baggio took Italy’s fifth penalty. Scoring would keep Italy alive, but Brazil would still have its final kick to win. If Baggio missed, Italy would have no further attempt with which to catch Brazil’s score.
Baggio sent the ball over the goal. Brazil won the shootout 3–2 and claimed its fourth world title. The final kick ended the contest, but Italy’s defeat belonged to the whole team; the result could not rest on one player’s shoulders.
After the victory, the Brazilians raised a banner honoring Ayrton Senna, who had died months before the tournament. For Baggio, that kick would remain tied to the Pasadena final and the memory of a collective defeat. He had led Italy to the final and earned the Silver Ball. In that moment, though, football narrowed the story to one ball, one shot, and a title that still depended on Brazil’s attempt.
