Brazil Squad, World Cup, 1994



In the final tournament, Brazil was drawn into group B with Cameroon, Sweden, and Russia. Brazil struggles ended at the 1994 tournament in the United States, where a solid side headed by Romário, Bebeto, Dunga, Cláudo Taffarel and Jorginho won the World Cup for a then-record fourth time. Highlights of their campaign included a 1–0 victory over the United States in the round of 16 in San Francisco, a sensational 3–2 win over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals (often cited as the game of the tournament)[citation needed] in Dallas, and a 1–0 victory over Sweden in the semi-finals in Los Angeles. This set up Brazil vs. Italy in the final once again in Los Angeles, which was less then 2,000 miles away from Mexico City, where Brazil had won their previous World Cup in 1970, ironically after beating Italy. After a 0–0 draw, penalty kicks loomed and Brazil became champions once again.

Group B
Group B produced two of the four semifinalists of this World Cup, and was also one of the two groups in which two, rather than three, sides would progress to the second round. Brazil and Sweden proved to be far stronger than Cameroon and Russia in every department. The match between the latter two broke two World Cup records. Oleg Salenko of Russia became the first – and remains the only – man ever to score five goals in a single World Cup match as Russia ran out 6–1 winners against their African opponents. The goals also ensured that Salenko finished the tournament joint-top scorer with six goals, having previously bagged one against Sweden. Cameroon left a mark too as Roger Milla, at the age of 42, became the oldest World Cup goalscorer of all time as he grabbed his side's consolation goal in the match. The result was not enough to take Russia through following heavy defeats at the hands of both Brazil and Sweden. Brazil overcame Cameroon with similar ease before a draw with Sweden confirmed top spot.

The Swedes also progressed, finishing in second place with five points. Sweden's 3–1 victory over Russia was the nation's first World Cup victory since 3 July 1974.