DID YOU KNOW THE FIRST COUNTRY TO PLAY IN THREE CONSECUTIVE EXTRA-TIME MATCHES AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT?

At the Italia 1990 FIFA World Cup finals, England's Three Lions managed by Bobby Robson became the first side in the competition's history to play extra time in three successive matches against the Rode Duivels of Belgium (second round), Indomitable Lions of Cameroon (quarter final) and West Germany who beat them on penalties in the semi finals.

 

 

WHAT PROFESSION DID SERGIO GOYCOCHEA RETIRED TO PRACTICE AFTER HIS GOALKEEPING HEROICS?

Sergio Goycochea, the ever showman goalkeeper for the Albiceleste of Argentina to the Italia 90 FIFA World Cup is now a sports journalist after retiring from football in 1998 at his last club Newell Old Boys. Argentina's former No1 took a journalism course and became just another student. "It was a lifestyle decision," he explains. "I wanted to earn the respect of my colleagues and that's why I spent three years studying. It wasn't easy. I studied four days a week for three years, sitting alongside 18-year-old kids who knew who I was. But it was worth it in the end." Since completing the course he has presented Km por Hora, Abanderados and Resto del Mundo on Argentinian TV and has also teamed up with one-time team-mate Diego Maradona to co-host the famous La Noche del Diez.

DID YOU KNOW THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT SURROUNDS THE TRANSFER OF ROBERTO BAGGIO FROM FIORENTINA TO JUVENTUS FC?

Baggio posing with Ballon d'or

 After his spectacular showing at the Italia 90 FIFA World Cup, Roberto Baggio Il Divin Codino (The Divine Ponytail), was sold to Juventus F.C. from Fiorentina for a then record fee of £8 million amid outcry from Fiorentina fans which led to full scale riots on the streets of Florence and 50 people were injured. Baggio replied to his fans saying: "I was compelled to accept the transfer". In the match he played for Juventus against Fiorentina in 1990, he refused to take a penalty; and when substituted, he picked up a Florence Scarf kissed it and threw it into the field for the fans. He claimed: " Deep in my heart i am always purple" the colour of Florence.