1994 World Cup

Brazil, to the surprise of many, went 24 years without winning a World Cup or even participating in a final. Their struggles ended at the in the United States, where a solid, if unspectacular side headed by the likes of , and won the World Cup for a then-record 4th time. Highlights of their campaign included a 1–0 victory over the hosts in the round of 16, a sensational 3–2 win over the Dutch in the quarter-finals (often cited as the game of the tournament) and a 1–0 win over the Swedes in the semis. This set up a classic confrontation, Brazil vs. Italy, in the final. After a dour and unexciting 0–0 draw, penalty kicks loomed, and when lifted his spot kick over the crossbar, Brazil were champions once again. A new era of dominance had begun.