![]() But the truth about what happened to Andrés is much more than just a sensationalist headline tied to soccer. It’s easy to reduce the killing of Andrés Escobar to an isolated event in retaliation for scoring an own goal in a World Cup. He was only 27 years of age at the time of his death. Reality and soccer finally got on the same page for Colombia. Ten days later, with the World Cup still being played, the world was shocked by the news that Andres Escobar had been assassinated outside a dance club in Medellín under extraordinary circumstances. The country had to face the cold hard truth that behind the golden facade, something was broken. Own Goal Scored By Andrés EscobarĪndrés Escobar fell in disgrace and scored the own goal that most certainly put an end to the fairy tale of winning the tournament. Colombia won the third game against Switzerland, but that was not enough to advance. They lost to the host nation United States in the second game. After an eye-opening loss against Romania in their first match of the 1994 World Cup, it marks the day Colombia came back to reality. Soccer has a way of magnifying things, both the good and the bad. When the national team landed in Los Angeles, Colombia was immersed in the chaos of betting syndicates and a drug cartel war, anxious for an escape from reality. Los Cafeteros sat comfortably at the top of the Colombian world, giving society a reason to believe that the time to shine on the world soccer stage had come. What came after can only be described as incommensurable joy followed by delusion. In six games played during the qualifiers, Colombia gave up only two goals. The Argentine fans at El Monumental, which included Maradona in the stands, gave Los Cafeteros, the best South American team at the time, a standing ovation. After sailing comfortably through the always tricky South American qualification, Colombia sealed its ticket (and perhaps its fate) to USA 1994 by giving one of the most memorable performances in soccer history and beating invincible Argentina in Buenos Aires 5-0. The captain was ready for World Cup glory and possibly a future in Europe. Three years later, the Colombian squad was in its prime, and at the center of it all was Andrés Escobar. Still, the team’s overall performance made it clear to the world that Los Cafeteros were to be taken seriously. ![]() However, a heartbreaking loss against Cameroon in the Round of 16 was a drawback. A famous last-minute draw against West Germany (who would win the World Cup against Argentina in the final) helped Colombia advance to the knockout stage. Even though household names like Carlos Valderrama, Rene Higuita, and Faustino Asprilla were making headlines across South America and Europe, everyone in Colombia knew that there was only one captain, a true gentleman of soccer: Andres Escobar.Īfter a 28-year World Cup drought, Colombia had a taste of glory during Italia 1990. ![]() When he was called to join the national team at 21, he already had the reputation of a focused, well-spoken “veteran” with a rare elegant style. Nacional became the first Colombian team to win the continent’s most important title. ![]() Just three years after his debut, he led Los Verdolagas to continental conquest, winning the Copa Libertadores against Club Olimpia de Paraguay. As a young, talented center-back who grew up on the streets of Medellín, he quickly became a crucial player in the lineup for Atlético Nacional, a powerhouse in South America. At only 19, Andrés Escobar took Colombian soccer by storm. ![]()
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