1994 FIFA World Cup Group D explained
Group D of the 1994 FIFA World Cup was one of six groups of four teams competing at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. The first match was played June 21, 1994, and the final games took place simultaneously on June 30, 1994.
The group consisted of Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, and Bulgaria. Nigeria won the group on goal difference, Bulgaria finished second, and Argentina qualified as one of the best third-placed teams (Bulgaria defeated Argentina in the group stage, thus their higher rank). Bulgaria and Argentina had previously met before in the group stage, in 1962; neither team advanced into the knockout stage. Bulgaria and Argentina had also met in 1986, both teams advanced to the knockout stage.
Group D was also notable for the end of Diego Maradona's international career. Maradona, who was Argentina's captain and star player, was found to contain ephedrine, a performance-enhancing stimulant, in his system after being subjected to an anti-doping test held during their match with Nigeria.[1] In his absence, Argentina would lose their final group match against Bulgaria, and were eliminated by Romania 3–2 at the Round of 16. Maradona's only goal in the tournament against Greece would prove to be his last for Argentina.
Standings
Matches
All times local (EDT/UTC–4, CDT/UTC–5, PDT/UTC–7)
Argentina vs Greece
Nigeria vs Bulgaria
Argentina vs Nigeria
Bulgaria vs Greece
Argentina vs Bulgaria
Greece vs Nigeria
See also
References
- Web site: After Second Test, Maradona Is Out of World Cup. The New York Times. July 15, 2018.
- Web site: 1994 FIFA World Cup USA. https://web.archive.org/web/20131220184449/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/usa1994/index.html. dead. December 20, 2013. fifa.com. July 31, 2014.
- Web site: World Cup 1994. RSSSF. July 31, 2014.
