For the first time since 1978, there would be no Germany in the World Cup final after Bulgaria defeated the defending champion 2-1 in the quarterfinals. Few gave Bulgaria much of a chance against a team that still possessed several players, such as captain Lothar Matthaeus and striker Jurgen Klinsmann, who won the World Cup four years earlier. Bulgaria came back from a goal down to win 2-1 following a curling free kick from Hristo Stoichkov and a powerful header from the balding Letchkov. Bulgaria's surprise journey came to an end in the semifinals against a Roberto Baggio-inspired Italy. Its fourth-place showing was its best ever and Stoichkov ended up as the tournament's joint top scorer with six.
(AP)