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 groups A to 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 match for third place 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.
Group Winners Runners-up ) A B C D E F
Based on group results, the matches would be the following in Round of 16: Round of 16 Teams per qualified group positions Teams identifiedMatch 1: A1 – C3/D3/E3 Romania – Argentina Match 2: B2 – F2 Sweden – Saudi ArabiaMatch 3: F1 – E2 Netherlands – IrelandMatch 4: B1 – A3/C3/D3 Brazil – United StatesMatch 5: E1 – D2 Mexico – Bulgaria Match 6: C1 – A3/B3/F3 Germany – BelgiumMatch 7: D1 – B3/E3/F3 Nigeria – ItalyMatch 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 15 different options to define the rivals of the winners of groups A, B, C and D.
Third teams qualify from groups: Romania (A1) plays vs.: Brazil (B1) plays vs.: Germany (C1) plays vs.: Nigeria (D1) plays vs.: A B C D C3 D3 A3 B3 A B C E C3 A3 B3 E3 A B C F C3 A3 B3 F3 A B D E D3 A3 B3 E3 A B D F D3 A3 B3 F3 A B E F E3 A3 B3 F3 A C D E C3 D3 A3 E3 A C D F C3 D3 A3 F3 A C E F C3 A3 F3 E3 A D E F D3 A3 F3 E3 B C D E C3 D3 B3 E3 B C D F C3 D3 B3 F3 B C E F E3 C3 B3 F3 B D E F E3 D3 B3 F3 C D E F C3 D3 F3 E3
Bracket
Round of 16
Germany vs Belgium
GK 1 Bodo IllgnerDF 4 Jürgen KohlerDF 5 Thomas Helmer DF 6 Guido BuchwaldMF 8 Thomas HäßlerMF 10Lothar Matthäus (c) FW 13Rudi VöllerDF 14Thomas Berthold MF 16Matthias SammerMF 17Martin Wagner FW 18Jürgen Klinsmann Substitutions:MF 3 Andreas Brehme FW 11Stefan Kuntz Manager:Berti Vogts GK 1 Michel Preud'hommeDF 4 Philippe Albert DF 5 Rudi Smidts MF 6 Lorenzo Staelens MF 7 Franky Van der ElstFW 8 Luc Nilis MF 10Enzo Scifo DF 13Georges Grün (c)DF 14Michel De WolfMF 15Marc EmmersFW 17Josip WeberSubstitutions:MF 16Danny Boffin FW 11Alexandre Czerniatynski Manager:Paul Van Himst
Spain vs Switzerland
GK 1 Andoni Zubizarreta (c)RB 2 Albert Ferrer CB 4 Paco Camarasa CB 5 AbelardoCB 18Rafael Alkorta LB 12Sergi MF 6 Fernando Hierro MF 7 Jon Andoni Goikoetxea MF 20Miguel Ángel NadalAM 10José Mari BakeroCF 21Luis EnriqueSubstitutions:MF 11Txiki Begiristain DF 3 Jorge Otero Manager:Javier Clemente GK 1 Marco Pascolo DF 2 Marc Hottiger DF 3 Yvan Quentin DF 4 Dominique HerrDF 5 Alain Geiger (c)MF 6 Georges BregyDF 8 Christophe Ohrel FW 9 Adrian KnupMF 10Ciriaco SforzaFW 11Stéphane Chapuisat MF 16Thomas BickelSubstitutions:DF 19Jürg Studer FW 14Nestor Subiat Manager: Roy Hodgson
Saudi Arabia vs Sweden
Saudi Arabia suffered a major setback with the absence of captain Majed Abdullah. An early strike from Martin Dahlin in the first half and a second-half brace by Kennet Andersson saw Sweden go through to the quarterfinals. Substitute Fahad Al-Ghesheyan pulled one back for the Saudis five minutes from the end.World Cup USA '94: Andersson sees Sweden through to the last eight
GK 1 Mohamed Al-DeayeaRB 4 Abdullah ZubromawiCB 5 Ahmad Jamil MadaniCB 3 Mohammed Al-Khilaiwi LB 13Mohamed Al-Jawad (c) RM 6 Fuad AnwarCM 8 Fahad Al-Bishi CM 10Saeed Al-OwairanLM 19Hamzah SalehCF 12Sami Al-JaberCF 20Hamzah IdrisSubstitutions:FW 7 Fahad Al-Ghesheyan MF 14Khalid Al-Muwallid Manager: Jorge Solari GK 1 Thomas RavelliRB 2 Roland Nilsson CB 3 Patrik AnderssonCB 4 Joachim Björklund LB 5 Roger Ljung RM 11Tomas Brolin CM 9 Jonas Thern (c) CM 6 Stefan SchwarzLM 8 Klas IngessonCF 10Martin DahlinCF 19Kennet AnderssonSubstitutions:CB 14Pontus Kåmark CM 18Håkan Mild Manager:Tommy Svensson
Romania vs Argentina 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.The best ever World Cup match? Romania 3-2 Argentina at USA 94Hagi, Dumitrescu too hot to handle
GK 1 Florin PruneaDF 2 Dan PetrescuDF 14Gheorghe MihaliDF 4 Miodrag BelodediciDF 3 Daniel ProdanDF 13Tibor Selymes MF 5 Ioan LupescuMF 6 Gheorghe Popescu MF 7 Dorinel Munteanu AM 10Gheorghe Hagi (c) CF 11Ilie Dumitrescu Substitutions:MF 18Constantin Gâlcă MF 19Corneliu Papură Manager:Anghel Iordănescu GK 12Luis IslasRB 4 Roberto Sensini CB 13Fernando Cáceres CB 6 Oscar Ruggeri (c) LB 3 José Chamot CM 14Diego Simeone CM 5 Fernando Redondo CM 8 José Basualdo AM 17Ariel OrtegaCF 9 Gabriel Batistuta CF 19Abel BalboSubstitutions:FW 11Ramón Medina Bello Manager:Alfio Basile
Netherlands vs Republic of Ireland
GK 1 Ed de GoeyCB 18Stan ValckxCB 4 Ronald Koeman (c) CB 2 Frank de BoerRM 20Aron WinterCM 3 Frank RijkaardCM 8 Wim JonkLM 5 Rob Witschge RF 7 Marc OvermarsCF 10Dennis BergkampLF 19Peter van Vossen Substitutions:FW 11Bryan Roy DF 16Arthur Numan Manager:Dick Advocaat GK 1 Packie BonnerRB 12Gary KellyCB 5 Paul McGrath CB 14Phil Babb LB 3 Terry PhelanDM 6 Roy KeaneRM 8 Ray HoughtonCM 10John SheridanCM 7 Andy Townsend (c)LM 11Steve Staunton CF 15Tommy Coyne Substitutions:MF 21Jason McAteer FW 16Tony Cascarino Manager: Jack Charlton
Brazil vs United States 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 during the last minute of the first half, after a ball dispute just by sideline, he threw his elbow at Tab Ramos' jaw, breaking it, knocking the North American down and being sent off. Later, Leonardo was handed a four-match suspension, keeping him out of the remainder of the tournament.
In 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. In the 72nd minute, Romário recovered the ball in midfield, ran to the American's box and delivered it to Bebeto, who finished the play by shooting just between Tony Meola and the post. The United States were unable to respond, and Brazil held on for the win.
GK 1 Cláudio TaffarelRB 2 Jorginho CB 13AldairCB 15Márcio Santos LB 16Leonardo RM 17Mazinho CM 5 Mauro SilvaCM 8 Dunga (c)LM 9 Zinho FW 7 Bebeto FW 11Romário Substitutions:LB 14Cafu Manager:Carlos Alberto Parreira GK 1 Tony Meola (c)DF 17Marcelo BalboaDF 20Paul Caligiuri DF 21Fernando Clavijo DF 22Alexi Lalas MF 5 Thomas Dooley MF 7 Hugo Pérez MF 9 Tab Ramos MF 13Cobi JonesMF 16Mike Sorber FW 8 Earnie StewartSubstitutions:FW 11Eric Wynalda FW 10Roy Wegerle Manager: Bora Milutinović
Nigeria vs Italy
GK 1 Peter Rufai (c)DF 2 Augustine EguavoenDF 5 Uche Okechukwu DF 6 Chidi Nwanu MF 7 Finidi GeorgeFW 9 Rashidi YekiniMF 10 Jay Jay Okocha MF 11Emmanuel Amunike FW 14Daniel Amokachi MF 15Sunday Oliseh DF 19Michael Emenalo Substitutions:MF 21Mutiu Adepoju MF 8 Thompson Oliha Manager: Clemens Westerhof GK 12Luca MarchegianiRB 8 Roberto MussiCB 3 Antonio BenarrivoCB 4 Alessandro Costacurta LB 5 Paolo Maldini (c) RM 14Nicola Berti CM 11Demetrio Albertini LM 16Roberto DonadoniRF 10Roberto Baggio CF 19Daniele Massaro LF 20Giuseppe Signori Substitutions:MF 13Dino Baggio FW 21Gianfranco Zola Manager:Arrigo Sacchi
Mexico vs Bulgaria
GK 1 Jorge CamposRB 20Jorge Rodríguez CB 2 Claudio Suárez CB 3 Juan RamírezLB 5 Ramón Ramírez RM 6 Marcelino BernalCM 4 Ignacio Ambríz (c) CM 8 Alberto García Aspe LM 17Benjamín GalindoRF 10Luis García LF 11Luís Roberto AlvesManager:Miguel Mejía Barón GK 1 Borislav Mihaylov (c)RB 2 Emil Kremenliev CB 5 Petar HubchevCB 13Ivaylo Yordanov LB 16Iliyan Kiryakov CM 9 Yordan LetchkovAM 11Daniel BorimirovCM 20Krasimir Balakov RF 7 Emil Kostadinov CF 10Nasko Sirakov LF 8 Hristo StoichkovSubstitutions:MF 14Boncho Genchev MF 17Petar Mihtarski Manager:Dimitar Penev
Quarterfinals
Italy vs Spain
GK 1 Gianluca PagliucaRB 9 Mauro Tassotti CB 4 Alessandro CostacurtaCB 5 Paolo Maldini (c)LB 3 Antonio BenarrivoRM 16Roberto Donadoni CM 11Demetrio Albertini CM 13Dino Baggio LM 15Antonio Conte SS 10Roberto Baggio CF 19Daniele MassaroSubstitutions:LF 20Giuseppe Signori LM 14Nicola Berti Manager:Arrigo Sacchi GK 1 Andoni Zubizarreta (c)RB 2 Albert FerrerCB 5 Abelardo CB 18Rafael Alkorta LB 3 Jorge OteroDM 20Miguel Ángel NadalDM 12Sergi RM 7 Jon Andoni GoikoetxeaAM 10José Mari Bakero LM 15José Luis Caminero FW 21Luis EnriqueSubstitutions:FW 19Julio Salinas DF 6 Fernando Hierro Manager:Javier Clemente
Netherlands vs Brazil
GK 1 Ed de GoeyCB 6 Jan Wouters SW 4 Ronald Koeman (c)CB 18Stan ValckxRM 20Aron Winter CM 3 Frank Rijkaard CM 8 Wim JonkLM 5 Rob WitschgeRF 7 Marc OvermarsCF 10Dennis BergkampLF 19Peter van Vossen Substitutions:FW 11Bryan Roy MF 9 Ronald de Boer Manager:Dick Advocaat GK 1 Cláudio TaffarelRB 2 JorginhoCB 13AldairCB 15Márcio Santos LB 6 Branco RM 17Mazinho CM 5 Mauro SilvaCM 8 Dunga (c) LM 9 ZinhoFW 7 Bebeto FW 11Romário Substitutions:RM 10Raí LB 14Cafu Manager:Carlos Alberto Parreira
Bulgaria vs Germany
GK 1 Borislav Mihaylov (c) RB 16Iliyan KiryakovCB 3 Trifon Ivanov CB 5 Petar HubchevLB 4 Tsanko TsvetanovDM 6 Zlatko Yankov CM 9 Yordan Letchkov CM 20Krasimir Balakov RF 7 Emil Kostadinov CF 10Nasko Sirakov LF 8 Hristo Stoichkov Substitutions:FW 13Ivaylo Yordanov FW 14Boncho Genchev Manager:Dimitar Penev GK 1 Bodo IllgnerCB 5 Thomas Helmer CB 6 Guido BuchwaldCB 4 Jürgen KohlerRWB 14Thomas Berthold CM 7 Andreas MöllerCM 10Lothar Matthäus (c)CM 8 Thomas Häßler LWB 17Martin Wagner CF 13Rudi Völler CF 18Jürgen Klinsmann Substitutions:MF 2 Thomas Strunz DF 3 Andreas Brehme Manager:Berti Vogts
Romania vs Sweden
GK 1 Florin PruneaCB 3 Daniel ProdanSW 4 Miodrag BelodediciCB 6 Gheorghe Popescu RWB 2 Dan PetrescuCM 5 Ioan LupescuCM 7 Dorinel Munteanu LWB 13Tibor Selymes AM 10Gheorghe Hagi (c)SS 11Ilie DumitrescuCF 9 Florin RăducioiuSubstitutions:MF 15Basarab Panduru Manager:Anghel Iordănescu GK 1 Thomas RavelliRB 2 Roland Nilsson (c)CB 3 Patrik AnderssonCB 4 Joachim Björklund LB 5 Roger LjungRM 11Tomas Brolin CM 18Håkan MildCM 6 Stefan Schwarz LM 8 Klas Ingesson CF 10Martin Dahlin CF 19Kennet AnderssonSubstitutions:CB 14Pontus Kåmark CF 7 Henrik Larsson Manager:Tommy Svensson
Semifinals
Bulgaria vs Italy