2 July 2014

ON THIS DAY: Escobar shot dead on return home

In this June 22, 1994 file photo, Colombia's Andres Escobar, lies on the ground and watches as a shot by America's Eric Wynalda misses the goal, during their World Cup soccer match, in the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, USA. The US defeated Colombia by 2-1. On this day: July 2, Escobar was shot dead in his home town of Medellin. The killing appeared to be directly linked to Escobar's own goal scored during Colombia's 2-1 defeat to the US. As a result, Colombia returned home early from a tournament many had expected it to do well in.
On July 2 in World Cup history: Colombia defender Andres Escobar killed in Medellin, Colombia, after returning home from 1994 World Cup. Luis Suarez's hand ball helps Uruguay beat Ghana in Johannesburg in 2010.


A few days after returning home early from a tournament many, including Pele, thought Colombia could win, defender Andres Escobar was shot dead in his hometown of Medellin. The killing, which cast a shadow over the rest of the tournament in the U.S., appeared to be directly linked to Escobar's own goal that gave the host the lead in their group match in Los Angeles on June 22. Colombia eventually lost the game 2-1 and with it any chance of progressing further in the tournament.

In this Friday, July 2, 2010 file photo, Uruguay's Luis Suarez, left, stops the ball with his hands to give away a penalty kick, during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Uruguay and Ghana, at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa. On this day: In the last minute of extra time, Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was sent off after he used his hands to keep out Dominic Adiyah?s header when the score was1-1. Asamoah Gyan missed the ensuing penalty in the last kick of the game and Ghana went on to lose the penalty shootout.
In the last minute of extra time in a hard-fought 2010 quarterfinal, Uruguay striker Luis Suarez was sent off after he used his hands to keep out Dominic Adiyah's goal-bound header. Asamoah Gyan smashed the ensuing penalty onto the bar, and Suarez was shown celebrating on the sideline. Ghana went on to lose the penalty shootout, thereby failing to become Africa's first semifinalist as the continent staged its first World Cup. 

(AP)
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