1990

Notes

West Germany's third title (last as 'West Germany' before reunification). Lowest-scoring tournament since 1934 — 2.21 goals/match. Argentina reached final without winning a knockout match in regulation (penalties past Yugoslavia and Italy; final lost 1-0). Cameroon — led by 38-year-old Roger Milla — became the first African team to reach a WC quarter-final, after upsetting Argentina 1-0 in the opener and beating Romania and Colombia. England lost SF on penalties to West Germany (Pearce + Waddle missed). Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci's late-tournament 6 goals won him both Golden Boot and Player of Tournament for hosts Italy. Mascot Ciao; ball Adidas Etrusco Unico.

📚 Trivia

• recordsCameroon, led by 38-year-old Roger Milla, became the first African team to reach a World Cup quarter-final. They opened by upsetting reigning champions Argentina 1-0, then beat Romania 2-1 (Milla brace) and Colombia 2-1 a.e.t. (Milla brace) before losing 3-2 a.e.t. to England.
• records1990 had the lowest goals/match average since 1934 — 2.21. The goalfest 1954 (5.38) and modern WCs around 2.5-2.7 bracket the average. The defensive 1990 tournament prompted FIFA to award 3 points for a win in 1994 (instead of 2) to incentivise attacking play.
• awardsSalvatore 'Toto' Schillaci had 1 international cap and 0 goals before the 1990 WC. He came off the bench against Austria, scored, and ended the tournament with 6 goals — winning both the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament for hosts Italy.