Italy 1990

The 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, remembered as 'Italia '90', was a tournament where defensive tactics prevailed, epitomized by the low-scoring matches and the record number of red cards issued. West Germany emerged victorious, securing their third title by defeating Argentina 1-0 in a final marred by a lack of goals but not without controversy, including the infamous sending-off of Pedro Monzón and Gustavo Dezotti. The event is often recalled for the poignant image of English tears in the semi-final penalty shootout and for Cameroon's Roger Milla's corner flag dance, which celebrated the surprising and joyous advance of the Indomitable Lions to the quarter-finals, an unprecedented achievement for an African team at that stage.