DBasia.news – The United States, 28 years ago, has become the center of world attention. Not as a result of economics or politics, Uncle Sam’s country hosted the World Cup for the first time.
A clear idea from the United States Football Federation (USSF) and the federal government. Understandably, football is not popular in the Superpower country. Basketball and America Football are still the main attraction of the United States in terms of sports.
However, the 1994 World Cup was aimed at popularizing the sport of football in the United States, which began to catch up with the steps of several European countries.
There were 24 teams that took part in the 1994 World Cup. Brazil, Italy, and defending champion, Germany were still the favorite candidates to win. However, dark horse teams such as Bulgaria, Switzerland and Cameroon are ready to become a threat.
However, from the group stage, Group A, which is inhabited by the United States, Switzerland, Colombia, and Romania, is the most haunted. Although not inhabited by the favorite team to win, Group A leaves the most sadistic murder tragedy in the history of the World Cup.
Group A Competition Becomes the Beginning of the Story
The story begins when the 1994 World Cup kicked off on June 18. The opening match was between the United States and Switzerland at the Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, June 18, 1994. The Americans were only able to draw 1-1 with Switzerland.
Furthermore, Colombia had to settle for recognizing Romania’s 1-3 advantage in the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, June 18, 1994. Romania leads the standings with 3 points, followed by the United States and Switzerland (1 point), and Colombia has yet to obtain a point.
In the second match, Romania unexpectedly lost to Switzerland with a landslide score of 1-4 at the Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, June 22, 1994. The competition was getting tougher in Group A. The United States inevitably had to win over Colombia in the second match, to open up opportunities. qualify for the group stage. However, Colombia were favoured to win in the match.
In that match, the United States and Colombia both played openly at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, June 22, 1994. Attacks occurred.
However, the United States managed to take the lead through Andres Escobar’s own goal in the 35th minute. Escobar wrongly anticipated the United States attack.
The United States finally added a goal in the 52nd minute through Earnie Stewart. Colombia were only able to reduce the position through Adolfo Valencia.
As a result, the United States have the same points with Switzerland (4 points). Colombia had no points at all. While Romania has the greatest chance of advancing to the next round with 6 points.
In the last match of Group A, Romania managed to beat the United States 1-0 at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, June 26, 1994. Furthermore, Colombia unexpectedly won 2-0 over Switzerland at Stanford Stadium, San Francisco.
This result made Romania qualify from the preliminary round as winners of Group A with a perfect 9 points. Romania were accompanied by Switzerland with 4 points as runners-up, or ahead on goal difference from the United States. Colombia were caretaker with 3 points.
Andres Escobar’s Murder
Five days later or July 2, 1994 to be exact, football fans were shocked by the news of Andres Escobar’s murder. The player who plays as a central defender was killed in a Colombian nightclub. He was shot by an unknown person.
As reported by the BBC, a witness said the incident occurred at 03.30 am WIB. There was a group of people shouting Escobar’s name in a form of contempt. Escobar did not accept and defended himself, but a man suddenly pulled out a 38 mm caliber pistol and shot Escobar 12 times.
The man shoted to Escobar “Thanks for the own-goal, hijueputa!” which means thank you for your own goal, son of a bit**.” The man’s friends chanted “Goal”, like a football commentator welcoming a goal.
The perpetrator fled the scene in his private car. 45 minutes later Escobar was declared dead at the age of 27, after being rushed to the hospital. Escobar’s body was then interred at the Montesacro cemetery, Medellin.
The motive for an own goal was the cause of Andres Escobar’s loss of life
The Colombian Police finally arrested Humberto Castro Munoz the night after the incident. He is the perpetrator of Andres Escobar’s.
He was ordered by his employer, Santiago Gallon, to kill Escobar to avenge the huge loss due to losing a bet. Castro Munoz himself is an accomplice to a drug cartel in Colombia.
Colombian police have finally released evidence that Escobar’s murder was motivated by his own goal against the United States. If that didn’t happen, Colombia would have successfully advanced to the next round at the 1994 World Cup.
The court sentenced Castro Munoz to 43 years in prison. But over time, Castro Munoz served only 11 years of his sentence. He received 26 years remission for good behavior while in prison. He was released in 2005.
Escobar’s family also felt the court’s decision was unfair. “To be honest, there is no justice in Colombia anymore,” said Escobar’s father, Dario.
“They have deceived this country and our family by saying Munoz is in prison for 43 years. But now the perpetrator is free.”
Escobar’s name is still enshrined today. Every date of his death, supporters of the Atletico Nacional who orbited Escobar and the Colombian national team, always commemorate him. Not to mention, the Medellin City Government built a statue of Escobar in his homeland, Medellin.