WORLD CUP ROSSONERI: FLORIN RĂDUCIOIU

Since the 1986 Mexico edition, the World Cup has had, after a group stage, a Round of 16. The first knockout match is always a special moment, but it is after the first 'sudden death' stage that the World Cup dream of the teams left in the running really begins to take shape. When you are among the top eight teams in the world, it is inevitable to start dreaming of that iconic golden trophy. Especially when your presence in the quarter-finals of a World Cup is all but expected.

Several players who have played a part, significant or otherwise, of their careers in the AC Milan shirt have played in the quarter-finals of a World Cup. Going back in time to 1994, to the edition that took place in the United States, we find an unexpected star player who, after a season of few appearances for the Rossoneri (but three trophies: Supercoppa, Scudetto and Champions League) became one of the key players of the World Cup with Romania.

Florin Răducioiu's month at the World Cup started with a bang. On 18 June, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the Rossoneri striker scored twice in a 3-1 thrashing of top-ranked Colombia (who had a brilliant qualifying campaign, including a historic 5-0 win over Argentina). After a second-leg loss to Switzerland, Iordănescu's side beat hosts USA in the last group game to seal qualification for the round of 16 top of the group.

The Romanian dream continued into the first act of the knockout phase, when Romania (with Florin on the bench) took advantage of Maradona's absence - suspended for testing positive for banned substances - to beat Argentina (winners of the Copa América the year before) 3-2 and reach the quarter-finals for the first time in the nation's history.

Răducioiu was selected again by Iordănescu for the next appointment with history for the Romanian national team: the fixture against Sweden, a match with a World Cup semi-final at stake. A first for Romania, as mentioned above, while the Swedes had not advanced this far in a World Cup since 1974. In Stanford, a match coloured by the heat - kick-off at 12.30, in the warm Californian sunshine - the scoring was opened in the 78th minute by Brolin.

With 2 minutes to go, however, Florin scored to the equaliser. Extra time, 101st minute. It was Răducioiu's moment again, who, after a superb goal from a free-kick, scored with a powerful, low right-footed shot from the edge of the area. To crush the Romanian dream and to send the game to penalties was Kennet Andersson's goal in the 115th minute. From eleven metres out, Răducioiu scored his penalty - Romania's first - but mistakes from Petrescu and Belodedici sent Sweden into the semi-finals against eventual champions Brazil.

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