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Classic Games (2): 1994: Brazil - Netherlands

(FIFAworldcup.com)
Updated: 2006-05-29 15:11

Date: 9 July 1994
Stadium: Cotton Bowl
City: Dallas, Texas, USA
Attendace: 63,500

[AFP]

Brazil 3:2 Netherlands
ROMARIO (BRA) 53', BEBETO (BRA) 63', BERGKAMP Dennis (NED) 64', WINTER Aron (NED) 76', BRANCO (BRA) 81'

Branco and ‘New Brazil’ crush Dutch dreams

Famed the world over for their sultry skills, Brazil landed on the shores of the United States for one reason and one reason alone - to get their hands on the FIFA World Cup. The three-time champions had not won the world championship for two dozen years, and to some degree the Auriverde eagerly agreed to swap the joy and exuberance of their forebears for sound tactics and a clinical determination at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA.

The lethal edge to striking tandem Romario and Bebeto was the key for this largely unfamiliar Brazilian team, and the Dutch had seemed shaky in defence while breezing their way through the group stage and past the Republic of Ireland in the second round. And, in general, the Dutch too seemed a less cohesive version of their former selves.

Still, it was the first time the two historical giants locked horns since the semi-final of Germany 74. That one proved a match of unparalleled passion and elegance – at least from the victorious Dutch. For Brazil it was the start of two decades failure by their inflated standards.

Formidable threats up front

Wide-shouldered and menacing, Romario looked a perfect foil to his strike partner Bebeto. The skinny one’s requisite nickname (‘the baby’) fit him like a glove, and he looked a fragile kid with his shorts pulled high around his waist. Ronald Koeman, a wizened holdover from Holland’s European Championship-winning side of 1988, was a stark study in contrast as the burly last line of defence for the Dutch.

Romario dropped deep early in the match, impatient with the lack of service from a less-than-creative midfield. But Dutch Goalkeeper Ed de Goej easily gobbled his first shot up with ease. At the other end, Marc Overmars, at the height of his winged powers, set about provoking Brazilian fullbacks with his clever, rambunctious raids up the left side. Causing Aldair fits early, his targets are Peter Van Vossen and Dennis Bergkamp up front.

Van Vossen is every inch the hard man – a defender's worst nightmare, he gives as good as he gets. And felled by Aldair early on, the resulting free kick saw Bergkamp – lithe, brash and blond - nod a free header menacingly over the bar. Frank Frank Rijkaard, another survivor from the successes of Euro 88, is relied upon to patch things together in the midfield-holding role, but he is a step slower than the athletic, stately defender of years before.

Glimpses of the old Samba style

Fullback Mauro Silva sizzled a shot just wide of the top corner. The bulky back is a danger coming forward, but Romario is the true menace for Brazil. He's ruthless and always charging, like a dog sniffing for scraps. He steps on Stam Valckx's heel for a slim advantage on his way toward goal – anything for an edge. He is a true poacher, sharpened and hardened by life on Rio’s mean streets.

And just as the half seems like it will wind up quietly, Bebeto and Romario combine brilliantly. Flicked passes and one-touch pokes nearly open up the Dutch defence. It's ‘old’ Brazil just for an agonising, tantalising flash – and sadly the final touch goes begging as the half ends scoreless.

But, the sudden understanding proves a hint of things to come, as the Brazilians come out on a savage attack early in the second half. The blue jerseys come alive and echoes of Garrincha, Tostao and Pele fill the Dallas air. Romario and Bebeto are of one mind and the experienced Europeans are looking stretched to their limits.

Suddenly the Dutch dyke breaks in minute 53. Up on attack, Rijkaard's sloppy pass is picked off and slammed brilliantly up field. Bebeto collects on the left, rounds his man and lays a low cross into the path of Romario. He’s left old Koeman for dead, and his volley from point-blank range snapped into the back of the net. Roaring to the corner flag, he celebrates on his knees with the young-faced Ronaldo watching carefully from the bench.

The bustling Van Vossen, having had enough, quits the pitch ruefully. It is up to Bergkamp now, and he is the rightful heir to the Orange crown of Cruyff and Van Basten anyway. Judging by the worry on his face, the thoughtful striker knows it all too well.

Ominous Bergkamp with work to do

The Dutch look to be crumbling, the horn blasts of the old standard “The Saints Go Marching In” have disappeared up into the sky. The Brazilian drums are banging away, and more importantly, so are the two South American strikers. Bebeto breaks through and slips his shot just off the outside of the post as the crowd groans in agony. Romario is through just minutes later, but De Goej gets out just in time to smother the chance.
It may not be the samba of old, but it is surely rhythmic and effective. There is blood in the water, and the shark-like Brazilian strikers are well aware. This time, in the minute 63, it’s Bebeto turn to play the hero. De Goej’s punt is headed back up the pitch and Romario, playing possum, simply dummies from an offside position. Expecting a whistle, the defenders are caught out. And In roars Bebeto from behind the play. He rounds the keeper with a clever little flick and slots into the open goal. Up 2-0 and with the semi-final in sight, he races to the corner for his trademark baby-cradle celebration – in honour of his newborn bebeto back in Brazil.

The Dutch have collapsed and all looks lost. But just seconds after the second Brazilian goal, a long throw finds Bergkamp sneaking into the box. Skipping past two defenders, he slips the ball beyond Taffarel to make a goal - quite literally - from nothing. He quickly trudges back to the centre circle without celebration. Perhaps this is why they say 2-0 is the most dangerous lead.

Shortly after, Rijkaard gives up and goes off. His legs can't keep up, and he's classy enough to know it.

Proficient Branco, efficient Brazil

And suddenly the Dutch can believe again. If they are to go down, they will do so punching wildly at the giant in front of them. The awakened Bergkamp is back in the battle. And as the ball deflects out for a corner, he gives the ref a brutal earful for what he considers a missed handball in the box. From the resulting Overmars’ corner Aron Winter leaps to beat Taffarel and nod the match level. The celebrations at the corner flag are raucous, as the Dutch dream of the last four. One thing is sure; Dallas, Texas has never seen football like this.

But this new Brazil keep their cool. Their game no longer the emotional, delicate glass orb it once was. Now, led by uncharacteristically craggy campaigners like Branco and Dunga – they pour into direct attack believing victory is somehow owed them for their years of pain and suffering.

Branco dutifully hands Overmars a mouthful of elbow while in search of the winner. Wim Jonk takes umbrage and sends the holdover from Mexico 86 sprawling to the turf in a painful heap. Brushfires of anger begin to burn – pushing and shoving commences and no one is giving in. Brazil get the free kick in the end, but surely too far to be of any use. After a long run though, Branco unleashes a 27-yard drive that sneaks just inside the post to push Brazil into the lead with only nine minutes left in the contest.

The South Americans went on to win, and raise the FIFA World Cup for the first time since retiring the Old Jules Rimet in 1970. After edging Sweden in the semis, they finished off a spineless, defensive outing against Italy in the final with a penalty shootout. It was the first-ever FIFA World Cup final decided by such dubious mean – and to this day thankfully remains the only one.

Holland returned home to the lowlands. But rather than wallowing in the doldrums, they shed the dead weight of their aging 88 glory-boys, refashioned a young, fast-moving squad and returned four years later.

Unfortunately, they ran into Brazil once again. And with Ronaldo having come of age, the Dutch tumbled out on penalties in the semi-finals in one of the classic matches of France 98.