A tournament of cynical defense, historic firsts, and the legendary dance of Roger Milla. Italy 1990 wasn't the highest-scoring World Cup, but it changed the beautiful game forever. Photo: AFP
Younger Gen-Xers and elder Millennials will arguably look back favourably on the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy – after all, for many, it would have been their introduction to the showpiece event.
However, 1990, with its odd Lego-inspired mascot, was characterised by cynical defensive play. It remains the lowest-scoring World Cup still. Indeed, the rules and points scoring system were changed after the event to ensure that it never happens again. Defending champions Argentina, who made the final, were particularly criticised for their tactics during the World Cup, as they scored five goals in six games.
Cameroon captured the imagination of the footballing world, making an unexpected run to the quarter-finals. They were inspired by Roger Milla, who at 38-years old, was convinced to come out of retirement. He would go on to score four goals, dancing his way into the hearts and minds of World Cup lore.
The World Cup also marks the final appearance of a handful of nations. The Cold War was coming to its conclusion and for post-World War II nations such as Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, their legacy would be carried forward by successor states, while the Soviet Union would soon break up into Russia and other independent republics.
