Italy, 1990

XIV FIFA WORLD CUP

Champions: Germany

FORMAT

Participants: 24

Format:
6 groups round-robin. The top two teams and four best third-place finishers from the six groups advanced to the knockout stage.

Top Scorer/Best Player: Salvatore Schillaci – Italy – 6 goals

Best Young Player: Robert Prosinečki - Yugolsavia

Best Goalkeepers: Sergio Goycochea - Argentina
Luis Gabelo Conejo - Costa Rica

Fair Play Award: England

Italy 1990 Mascot Ciao

THINGS TO REMEMBER

Even if this is regarded as one of the poorest World Cups in history, due to its lowest goal average record per game and highest red card bookings (16 in total including the first ever dismissal in a final), it is also one of the tournaments with the most lasting influence in football history. The introduction of the “Fair Play Please” flag, the kick off back pass rule and the tree points for a win instead of two, are all decisions taken after considering the events of this competition.

The firsts on this World Cup:

The first time that the same two national teams made it to 2 consecutive finals;
Argentina was the first finalist not to score in a final and lose the trophy being defending champions
Germany was the first team to play in 3 consecutive finals