1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL–OFC play-off)

1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
(CONMEBOLOFC play-off)
Event 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
Argentina won 2–1 on aggregate
First leg
Date 31 October 1993
Venue Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Referee Sándor Puhl (Hungary)
Attendance 43,967
Second leg
Date 17 November 1993
Venue Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
Referee Peter Mikkelsen (Denmark)

The 1994 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOLOFC qualification play-off was a two-legged home-and-away tie between the winners of the Oceania qualifying tournament and CONCACAF–OFC play-off winners, Australia, and the second-placed team from the CONMEBOL Group 1, Argentina. The games were played on 31 October and 17 November 1993 in Sydney and Buenos Aires respectively. Australia was hoping to play in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974, and Argentina was hoping to qualify after reaching the FIFA World Cup Final three times in the previous four FIFA World Cups. The only time that Argentina failed to qualify for a FIFA World Cup was in 1970. This qualification play-off notably immediately followed Argentina's 5–0 defeat by Colombia at home in Buenos Aires on September 5, 1993.

The crowd of 43,967 who watched the first leg played at the Sydney Football Stadium still stands as the highest crowd at that venue for any sports event.

Background

Argentina Round Australia
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Colombia 64201321110
 Argentina 631279−27
 Paraguay 614167−16
 Peru 6015412−81
Final standings
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Australia 4400132118
 Tahiti 411258−33
 Solomon Islands 4013513−81
Final round
(OFC)
Opponent Result
1st leg  New Zealand (A) 1–0
2nd leg  New Zealand (H) 3–0
1st play-off Opponent Result
1st leg  Canada (A) 1–2
2nd leg  Canada (H) 2–1 (4–1 PSO)

Play-off match

First leg

31 October 1993
17:30
Australia  1–1  Argentina
Vidmar  42'  37' Balbo

Second leg

17 November 1993
21:15
Argentina  1–0  Australia
Tobin  59' (o.g.)[1]

Aftermath

Argentina qualified for the final tournament. During the First Round, Argentina were drawn with Nigeria, Bulgaria and Greece. They were eliminated during the Round of 16, after they lost 3–2 against Romania, and finished 10th in the competition, with 2 wins and 2 losses.

References

  1. Other sources attribute this goal as a goal scored by Batistuta of Argentina.
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