Colombians recall 1994 murder of soccer player

FILE - In this June 22, 1994, file photo, Colombia's Andres Escobar, lies on the ground and watches a shot by America's Eric Wynalda miss the Colombian goal, during the World Cup match, in the Rose Bowl, Pasadena. The Unites States defeated Colombia by two goals to one. Escobar was shot six times by a man employed by two drug traffickers, who had been complaining to him about his blunder 10 days earlier in Los Angeles. Escobar had knocked Colombia out of contention by kicking the ball into his own net in game against the United States. (AP Photo/Draper, File) FILE - In this June 22, 1994, file photo, Colombia's Andres Escobar, lies on the ground and watches a shot by America's Eric Wynalda miss the Colombian goal, during the World Cup match, in the Rose Bowl, Pasadena. The Unites States defeated Colombia by two goals to one. Escobar was shot six times by a man employed by two drug traffickers, who had been complaining to him about his blunder 10 days earlier in Los Angeles. Escobar had knocked Colombia out of contention by kicking the ball into his own net in game against the United States. (AP Photo/Draper, File)

By Associated Press July 2, 2014 3 min read

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) – The murder of a Colombian soccer player 20 years ago Wednesday after he accidentally scored a goal for the other side and helped eliminate his team from the World Cup stands in stark contrast to the national squad’s celebrated success this time around.

It also demonstrates what a different country Colombia has become.

Colombia had entered the 1994 World Cup among the favorites to win it all, led by star goalie Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama and forward Faustino Asprilla. But then the unthinkable happened. The squad lost 3-1 to Romania, midfielder Gabriel Gomez received a faxed death threat and the coach contemplated resigning.

But the worst was still to come. Defender Andres Escobar, known as “The Gentleman of the Field,” accidentally put the ball in his own net in a game against the U.S., contributing to Colombia’s rapid exit from the Cup and a massive national disappointment.

Ten days later, the 27-year-old Escobar was shot dead in a Medellin parking lot in a killing that sparked national outrage.