World Cup journey through time – July 10.7.1994, XNUMX: Bulgaria surprises world champions

“A real murder of giants in the Giants Stadium!” On July 11, 1994, the English newspaper “The Independent” described the sensation that had occurred the day before in New York/New Jersey, around 5.600 kilometers away, with this somewhat martial-sounding creative play on words.

What happened? Defending champions Germany had to completely unexpectedly bow out after the quarter-finals at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA. For the first time since 1978, the DFB selection did not reach the final of a World Cup finals.

Bulgaria had never won a World Cup game before 1994 What makes the story more incredible is that the end didn't happen against another football giant like Brazil, Italy or Argentina, but against the supposed outsider Bulgaria. The southern European country that played its sixth World Cup in the USA and celebrated a victory there for the first time (in the end there were four).

The 72.000 spectators in New York's Giants Stadium saw little of note in the sweltering heat, at least in the first half. Despite their visual superiority, the Germans were unable to break through the Bulgarian defensive bulwark. Matthäus makes it 1-0 That should change in the second section. Shortly after the break, Jürgen Klinsmann went down in a harmless challenge in the penalty area and Lothar Matthäus converted the penalty to take the lead. The myth of the almost unbeatable tournament team seemed to come true once again.

A little later, Andreas Möller hit the post and Rudi Völler scored from a few meters. But the supposed preliminary decision was refused recognition due to an offside position and the tension on the green lawn remained high. Disastrous double blow Within minutes the unthinkable happened. A direct free kick from star striker Hristo Stoichkov initiated the turnaround in the 75th minute. 180 seconds later, Iordan Lechkov, who was playing for Hamburger SV in Germany at the time, sealed the reigning title holders' early exit with a header.

The Bulgarians' triumphant march was stopped just three days after the coup against Germany. At the same place they lost to Italy (1:2). In the end, fourth place remained after they also lost out to Sweden (0:4).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2MCLXaVH_E

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World Cup journey through time – July 10.7.1994, XNUMX: Bulgaria surprises world champions

As always during the World Cup, SportNews is looking back today at highlights that happened on the same day at one of the previous World Cups. This time we look back 24 years to July 10, 1994, to the quarter-finals between Germany and Bulgaria at the World Cup in the USA.

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