July 5, 1994 – Italy 2:1 (aet) Nigeria, World Cup quarterfinals at Foxboro Stadium (Att.: 54,367)

Robert Baggio’s 89^th-minute goal sent the match into extra time, then Baggio converted a penalty kick, his first goals of the World Cup. Nigeria controlled the tempo for much of the match, thanks to the midfield play of Jay Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh and the second-half ejection of Gianfranco Zola to a controversial red card. But the Super Eagles’ defensive tactics failed as Baggio finished past Peter Rufai, then broke the deadlock after Antonio Benarrivo went down, Mexican referee Arturo Brizio Carter awarding the penalty kick in the 100^th minute.

“I think we were the unlucky team because we were the one that hit the post {in the second half},” Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi said. “Italy deserved to win the game. Nigeria is a great team and it was very hard when they had a 1-0 lead. It shows that in soccer you have wait until the game is over before you know who has won.”

https://secure.pqarchiver.com/boston-sub/doc/290701395.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+6%2C+1994&author=Dell%27Apa%2C+Frank&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&edition=&startpage=41&desc=Cup+runneth+over+–+twice+Baggio+beats+the+clock+for+Italy

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