# @retro_calcio on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DRffFwFE0Tn
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/61428030-retro-calcio-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/2dcf2fd5b0.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-25T19:56:53.000+00:00

## Caption

Bulgaria🇧🇬 vs Germany 🇩🇪 USA 94 The Reigning Champions Fall. 
The Underdog Story: Bulgaria had never won a match in their previous five World Cup finals appearances. They qualified for USA '94 dramatically, beating France in the final qualifier with a last-minute goal. 

The Predictable Start: Germany took the lead in the 47th minute via a penalty from captain Lothar Matthäus. A few minutes later, Rudi Völler scored what he thought was the second goal, but it was disallowed for offside, threatening to kill the game. The "Bulgarian dream" seemed over.
The Three-Minute Turnaround (75'-78'): The match exploded in the final 15 minutes:
75th Minute: On his daughter's birthday, Bulgarian talisman Hristo Stoichkov lined up a free-kick about 25 yards out. He curled a magnificent shot over the wall, leaving goalkeeper Bodo Illgner static, to tie the game: 1-1.
78th Minute: While Germany was still reeling, midfielder Zlatko Yankov crossed the ball. Yordan Letchkov, known for his distinctive bald head, met the ball with a spectacular, diving header, beating the German defense and Illgner. Bulgaria led 2-1.

Even after Hristo Stoichkov equalized with a quarter-hour to go, you had to like the Germans’ chances. This was a three-time tournament winner, after all, up against a European also-ran that hadn’t qualified for the 1990 event. 

Nobody expected Bulgaria to reach the last eight, let alone the final four. Had Bulgaria’s stay at USA ‘94 ended there, it would still have been their best-ever finish.

Stoichkov’s goal stunned the favorites. Sensing the swing in momentum, Bulgaria pressed for the lead rather than play for extra time and, eventually, penalties. 
1994 FIFA World Cup Final Tournament, Quarterfinal
Referee:
José Cadena, Cartago /  Colombia
Attendance, venue:
71 416, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford 
Goals:
0-1 (49') Lothar Matthäus (pen.), 1-1 (75') Hristo Stoichkov, 2-1 (78') Yordan Lechkov

 #usa94 #soccer #90sfootball  #stoichkov #calcio  #diemannschaft #dfb  #footballlegends  #fifaworldcup #worldcup1994 #deutschland🇩🇪
@hristo8oficial  @bulgaria @team.bulgaria

## Stats

- **Views:** 32,362
- **Likes:** 1,351
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- **Comments:** 42

## Tags

footballlegends, fifaworldcup, calcio, dfb, 90sfootball, soccer, worldcup1994, usa94, stoichkov, diemannschaft, deutschland

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