Italy trailed Nigeria for 63 minutes in the last 16 at USA 1994 but, despite being at a numerical disadvantage, emerged victorious.
Emmanuel Amunike fired the Super Eagles, at their first World Cup, into a 26th-minute lead. The Azzurri’s hopes of responding took a big hit when Gianfranco Zola was sent off in the 76th minute for a challenge on Augustine Eguavoen. On the cusp of full-time, however, Roberto Baggio, playing through the pain of an Achilles heel injury, guided Roberto Mussi’s cut-back into the bottom corner to snatch extra time. In it, ‘The Divine Ponytail’ scored a penalty he had helped win to preserve Italy’s stay in Foxborough.
It was, incredibly, Italy’s second 10-against-11 escape on American turf. After Arrigo Sacchi’s team lost 1-0 to Republic of Ireland in their opener, goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca was red-carded in the 21st minute of their must-win clash with Norway. Despite the odds being against them, though, Dino Baggio’s thumping header from Giuseppe Signori’s wicked delivery snatched a 1-0 victory.
