PASADENA, Calif.—It was an afternoon full of memories for three Brazilian legends.
Friday’s arrival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena not only marked the last test for Brazil ahead of its Copa America Centenario debut against Ecuador (10pm ET; FS1 | Univision | UDN); it also represented a moment of reminiscence for Dunga, Gilmar Rinaldi, and Taffarel, linked by a major feat 22 years ago.
On July 17, 1994, at this very stadium, before 90,000 fans, the trio and their Brazil teammates beat Italy, 3-2 on penalty kicks (after a 0-0 draw), to claim the 1994 FIFA World Cup trophy; Dunga served as captain of that squad.
“[This stadium] is part of the history of Brazilian soccer,” Dunga said in Friday’s press conference.
“It is part of my life, Gilmar’s and Taffarel’s lives. Upon arriving [at the stadium], we recalled the entire journey: when we arrived at the stadium that day, the game that was played in the afternoon, the long hours, the adrenaline.”
After 180 scoreless minutes, penalty kicks were necessary to define which team would be crowned champions. Dunga took the last shot for Brazil, before Robert Baggio infamously missed the decisive penalty for Italy. With that, Brazil won the 1994 World Cup.
“Brazil hadn’t won the title in 24 years – even nowadays when I picture myself taking that one last penalty kick, I ask myself if that was me,” Dunga said.
“I keep asking myself where the courage came from to win a World Cup. After what happened in 1990 [at the Italy World Cup], I knew that if I failed that shot, I would never go back to the national team. I needed to be calm and focused.”
After a disastrous participation in the 1990 Italy World Cup, where Brazil was eliminated in the Round of 16 by bitter rivals Argentina, all the criticism and fury of the press focused on Dunga for his “dirty” style of play, thought to have influenced the rest of the squad.
The 1994 World Cup was the only chance he had to vindicate himself with the Brazilian fans.
“After winning the World Cup, I was asked about all the criticism I suffered for four years, which irritated me, they spoke really bad about me,” Dunga said.
“And I said ‘Yes, but I’ve only been here for four years, but now they have this image for life [Dunga lifting the World Cup trophy] and others will suffer now.”
After Brazil’s training session at the Rose Bowl ended Friday afternoon, Dunga, Taffarel – the former goalkeeper and current goalkeeping coach – and Gilmar Rinaldi – also a former 'keeper, and the current general coordinator for the Brazil national team – stood at the middle of the pitch and walked slowly toward net area smiling and remembering every single moment of that Sunday, the one when Brazil lifted the trophy as World Champions.
