1990 FIFA World Cup, Knockout stage, Semi-finals
The semi-final between West Germany and England at Juventus's home stadium in Turin was goalless at half-time. Then, in the 60th minute, a free-kick tapped to Andreas Brehme resulted in a shot which was deflected off Paul Parker into his own net. England equalised with ten minutes left; Gary Lineker was the scorer. The game ended 1–1. Extra time yielded more chances. Klinsmann was guilty of two glaring misses and both sides struck a post. England had another Platt goal disallowed for offside. The match went to penalties, and West Germany went on to win the shoot-out 4–3.


1990 FIFA World Cup, Knockout stage, Third place play-off
The game saw three goals in a 15-minute spell. Roberto Baggio opened the scoring after a mistake by England's goalkeeper Peter Shilton, in his final game before international retirement, presented a simple opportunity. A header by David Platt levelled the game 10 minutes later but Schillaci was fouled in the penalty area five minutes later, leading to a penalty. Schillaci himself got up to convert the kick to win him the tournament's Golden Boot for his six-goal tally. Nicola Berti had a goal ruled out minutes later, but the hosts claimed third place. England had the consolation prize of the Fair Play award, having received no red cards and the lowest average number of yellows per match.


1990 FIFA World Cup, Knockout stage, Final
The final between West Germany and Argentina has been cited as the most cynical and lowest-quality of all World Cup Finals. In the 65th minute, Argentina's Pedro Monzon - himself only recently on as a substitute - was sent off for a foul on Jürgen Klinsmann. Monzon was the first player ever to be sent off in a World Cup Final.


1990 FIFA World Cup, Knockout stage, Final
Argentina, weakened by suspension and injury, offered little attacking threat throughout a contest dominated by the West Germans, who struggled to create many clear goalscoring opportunities. The only goal of the contest arrived in the 85th minute when Mexican referee Edgardo Codesal awarded a penalty to West Germany, after a foul on Rudi Völler by Roberto Sensini leading to Argentinian protests. Andreas Brehme converted the spot kick to settle the contest.


1990 FIFA World Cup, Knockout stage, Final
In the closing moments, Argentina were reduced to nine after Gustavo Dezotti, who had already been given a yellow card earlier in the match, received a red card when he hauled Jürgen Kohler to the ground during a stoppage in play. The 1–0 scoreline provided another first: Argentina were the first team to fail to score in a World Cup Final.


1990 FIFA World Cup, Knockout stage, Final
With its third title (and three second-place finishes) West Germany – in its final tournament before national reunification – became the most successful World Cup nation at the time along with Italy and Brazil (also won three titles each then). West German manager Franz Beckenbauer became the first man to both captain (in 1974) and manage a World Cup winning team, and only the second man (after Mário Zagallo of Brazil) to win the World Cup as a player and as team manager. It was also the first time a team from UEFA won the final against a non-European team.


1990 FIFA World Cup, Goalscorers
Salvatore Schillaci received the Golden Boot award for scoring six goals in the World Cup. This made him the second Italian footballer to have this honour, after Paolo Rossi won the award in 1982. In total, 115 goals were scored by 75 players (none credited as own goals).


1990 FIFA World Cup, Final standings
After the tournament, FIFA published a ranking of all teams that competed in the 1990 World Cup finals based on progress in the competition, overall results and quality of the opposition.


1990 FIFA World Cup Final
The 1990 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match played between West Germany and Argentina to determine the winner of the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The game took place on 8 July 1990 at the Stadio Olimpico in Italy's capital and largest city, Rome, and was won 1–0 by West Germany, with a late penalty kick taken by Andreas Brehme being the game's only goal.


1990 FIFA World Cup Final
The match marked several firsts in World Cup history. This was the first rematch of a final and, to date, the only back-to-back rematch, as Argentina defeated West Germany in the previous final. Argentina became both the first team to fail to score in a World Cup final, and the first defending champion to reach the final and lose. West Germany's victory over Argentina marked the first time a UEFA side defeated a CONMEBOL side in a final (all previous finals between the two continents were won by South Americans).


1990 FIFA World Cup Final
West Germany became the first team to play in three consecutive finals (they played in the 1982 and 1986 finals), a feat only repeated by Brazil in 1994, 1998, and 2002. It was West Germany's last World Cup match; the team played three more games before a unified German team was formed later in 1990, as a result of the reunification of the country after more than 40 years.


1990 FIFA World Cup Final, Match, Notable spectators
Italian president Francesco Cossiga, FIFA president João Havelange, FIFA general secretary Sepp Blatter, West German president Richard von Weizsäcker and chancellor Helmut Kohl, as well as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC member Fahad Al-Sabah, and UEFA honorary president Jacques Georges, were among those attended the final. President Cossiga later handed the FIFA World Cup Trophy to West German captain Lothar Matthäus.


1990 FIFA World Cup Final, Match, Summary
The 1990 final is often cited as one of the most cynical and ugliest World Cup finals. It was an ill-tempered game, notable for the first two sendings off in a World Cup final. Ian Morrison wrote "The game did little for football but there was one consolation: Had the Argentines lifted the World Cup--with two wins and five goals in their seven matches--it would have been a catastrophe for the game. At least their awful approach to Italia '90 had gone unrewarded."


1990 FIFA World Cup Final, Match, Summary
After a mostly eventless first half, the West Germans had a few chances at the start of the second half. Pierre Littbarski cut inside, dribbling past three South American defenders, but his shot from outside the box went just wide. Later, Thomas Berthold and Rudi Völler, respectively, failed to capitalize from dangerous free kicks taken by Andreas Brehme. In the 58th minute, Argentinian goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea appeared to take down Klaus Augenthaler inside the penalty area, but Mexican referee Edgardo Codesal refused to award a penalty kick.


1990 FIFA World Cup Final, Match, Summary
Pedro Monzón had the distinction of being the first player to be sent off at a FIFA World Cup final, after being shown a straight red card for a reckless studs up challenge on Jürgen Klinsmann; FIFA had warned its officials to enforce the rules and Monzón had raised his foot during the tackle, a foul that Klinsmann claims left a 15-centimetre (5.9 in) gash on his shin. In the 78th minute, after an incorrectly given corner kick, West German captain Matthäus lost the ball inside his own penalty area and then appeared to trip Gabriel Calderón. Codesal once again said to play on, amid penalty shouts from the Argentinian midfielder.


1990 FIFA World Cup Final, Match, Summary
Six minutes from full time, Codesal incurred the wrath of the Argentinians after awarding West Germany a questionable penalty kick for Roberto Sensini's sliding tackle on Völler. Regular penalty taker Matthäus had been forced to replace his boots during the match and did not feel comfortable in the new ones, so Andreas Brehme took his place and converted the spot kick with a low right footed shot to the goalkeeper's right.


1990 FIFA World Cup Final, Match, Summary
Gustavo Dezotti, already cautioned in the first half, received a straight red card late in the match when he hauled down Jürgen Kohler with what The New York Times described as a "neck tackle right out of professional wrestling", after Kohler refused to give-up the ball in an alleged attempt to waste time. After dismissing Dezotti, Codesal was surrounded and jostled by the rest of the Argentinian team, with Maradona receiving a yellow card for dissent.


1990 FIFA World Cup Final, Match, Summary
At the final whistle, Maradona, who was man marked by Guido Buchwald for almost the entire match, burst into tears and blamed the referee for the loss. Argentina entered the game with four players suspended and ended it with nine men on the field, overall losing over half their squad due to injury or suspension.


1990 FIFA World Cup Final, Match, Summary
In total, West Germany had 16 scoring chances out of 23 shots. German head coach Franz Beckenbauer said "There were no doubts whatsoever who was going to win. For 90 minutes we attacked Argentina and there was no feeling of any danger that a goal would be scored against us. As I saw it, we outplayed them from beginning to end." Beckenbauer said that the penalty "was not the key to the game because in any case we would have scored, even if it had taken overtime.. . . 1-0 by a penalty doesn't give a fair idea of this game. We could have won, 3-0. I don't remember a single chance Argentina had to score a goal."


1990 FIFA World Cup Final, Match, Summary
Argentina became the competition's first finalist not to score, with only one shot on goal. The South Americans failed to put together a coherent attacking strategy and lost the ball frequently. Instead, they focused on defending at all costs, knowing they would have the advantage if they managed to reach the penalty shoot-out, as they had already advanced twice in the tournament by this means. At the time, the 1990 final was the lowest-scoring final in the history of the competition—although this record was broken four years later, when Brazil beat Italy on penalties after 120 goalless minutes.


1990 FIFA World Cup Final, Match, Summary
The 1990 victory gave West Germany their third FIFA World Cup title, also making them the team to have played in the most FIFA World Cup finals at the time (three wins, three defeats), as well as avenging their defeat at the hands of Argentina in the previous final. It also meant that Germany coach Franz Beckenbauer became the only person to have won both silver and gold medals at the World Cup as a player (1966, 1974) and as a coach (1986, 1990).


1990 FIFA World Cup Group A
Play in Group A of the 1990 FIFA World Cup completed on 19 June 1990. Italy won the group, and advanced to the second round, along with Czechoslovakia. Austria and the United States failed to advance.


1990 FIFA World Cup Group B
Play in Group B of the 1990 FIFA World Cup completed on 18 June 1990. Cameroon won the group, and advanced to the second round, along with Romania and World Cup holders Argentina. The Soviet Union failed to advance.


1990 FIFA World Cup Group C
Play in Group C of the 1990 FIFA World Cup completed on 20 June 1990. Brazil won the group, and advanced to the second round, along with Costa Rica. Scotland and Sweden failed to advance, with the latter achieving a unique feat in World Cup history by playing three games in a particular World Cup having every game finish with exactly the same scoreline: a 2–1 loss.


1990 FIFA World Cup Group D
Play in Group D of the 1990 FIFA World Cup completed on 19 June 1990. West Germany won the group, and advanced to the second round, along with Yugoslavia and Colombia. The United Arab Emirates failed to advance.


1990 FIFA World Cup Group E
Play in Group E of the 1990 FIFA World Cup completed on 21 June 1990. Spain won the group, and advanced to the second round, along with Belgium and Uruguay. South Korea failed to advance.


1990 FIFA World Cup Group F
Play in Group F of the 1990 FIFA World Cup completed on 21 June 1990. England won the group, and advanced to the second round, along with the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands. Egypt failed to advance. This group has the record (along with the 1982 Group 1) of the most draws (five) of any "group round" in World Cup history.


1990 FIFA World Cup discipline
In the 1990 FIFA World Cup the main disciplinary action taken against players came in the form of red and yellow cards. Any player picking up a red card is automatically banned for his country's next game (if it is a serious offense FIFA may extend this ban to a number of games). Players also receive a one-game ban if they pick up two yellow cards within the group stage or within the knockout stage.


1990 FIFA World Cup knockout stage
The knockout stage of the 1990 FIFA World Cup was the second and final stage of the final tournament, following the group stage. It began on 23 June with the round of 16 matches, and ended on 8 July with the final match of the tournament held in Rome, in which West Germany beat the defending champions Argentina 1–0 to claim their third World Cup.


1990 FIFA World Cup knockout stage
Sixteen teams advanced to the knockout stage to compete in a single-elimination style tournament: The top two teams from each group plus the four best third-placed teams.


1990 FIFA World Cup knockout stage
In the knockout stage (including the final), if a match was level at the end of 90 minutes, extra time of two periods (15 minutes each) would be played. If the score was still level after extra time, the match would be decided by a penalty shootout. A third place match was also included and played between the two losing teams of the semi-finals.


1990 FIFA World Cup knockout stage, Qualified teams
The top two placed teams from each of the six groups, plus the four best-placed third teams, qualified for the knockout stage.


1990 FIFA World Cup knockout stage, Qualified teams
The third-placed teams which advanced will be placed with the winners of groups A, B, C and D according to a table published in Section 28 of the tournament regulations.


1990 FIFA World Cup knockout stage, Round of 16, Brazil vs Argentina
Brazil dominated for most of the match, but Diego Maradona went on a trademark run from the halfway line to the edge of the penalty area late in the match, and found Claudio Caniggia, who rounded the onrushing Cláudio Taffarel to give Argentina a lead that they would not relinquish.


1990 FIFA World Cup knockout stage, Quarter-finals, Cameroon vs England
Apart from anything else, it was the only quarter-final to produce more than one goal. Despite Cameroon's heroics earlier in the tournament, David Platt put England ahead in the 25th minute. At half-time, Cameroon brought Milla on, and the game was turned on its head in five second-half minutes. First Cameroon were awarded a penalty, from which Emmanuel Kunde scored the equaliser. Then, in the 65th minute, Eugene Ekeke put Cameroon ahead. The African team came within eight minutes of reaching the semi-finals, but then they conceded a penalty, which Gary Lineker gratefully converted. Midway through extra time, England were awarded another penalty, which Lineker again scored from the spot. England were through to the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification
The qualification competition for the 1990 FIFA World Cup was a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA confederations. Each confederation — the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Confederation of African Football (CAF), CONCACAF (North America), CONMEBOL (South America), Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), and UEFA (Europe) — was allocated a certain number of the 24 places at the tournament. A total of 116 teams entered the competition, with Italy, as the host, and Argentina, as the holders, qualifying for the final tournament automatically.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification
The first qualification match was played on 17 April 1988 and qualification concluded on 19 November 1989. A total of 735 goals were scored in the 314 qualifying matches (an average of 2.34 per match).


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Entrants
At the close of entries on 30 September 1987, a total of 116 football associations had entered the 1990 World Cup. This entry figure was five lower than those who originally entered the previous tournament, a then-World Cup record of 121 entries.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Entrants
Three entries were rejected by FIFA: Belize, Mauritius and Mozambique due to their outstanding financial debts, taking the number of accepted teams down to 113. With both the hosts and holders qualifying automatically for the finals, 111 nations were therefore scheduled to compete in the qualifying competitions. Gabon, Oman and Pakistan were making their first appearance in the World Cup.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Entrants
Seven teams withdrew during the qualifying process without playing a match: Bahrain, India, Lesotho, Maldives, Rwanda, South Yemen and Togo. Mexico were disqualified from the CONCACAF qualifying tournament before playing a game for fielding overage players in the qualifying stages for the 1988 Olympic Games. Libya withdrew during the CAF group stage, but had already (successfully) played in the first round. Therefore, the total number of teams playing at least one fixture during the 1990 World Cup competition was 105 (103 during qualifying).


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Continental zones
To see the dates and results of the qualification rounds for each continental zone, click on the following articles:


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Continental zones
The 32 teams are divided into 7 groups, 4 groups of 5 teams and 3 groups of 4 teams each.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Continental zones
The 9 teams are divided into 3 groups of 3 teams


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Continental zones
First round, the 10 teams played playoff games each other in a home and away basis the winners advice to the second round. Second round, Mexico withdrew, the remaining 8 teams played playoff games each other on a home and away basis, the winners advance to the final round, Final round, the 5 teams played each other on a home and away basis, the winner and runner up qualify.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Continental zones
Rwanda and Togo both withdrew. The remaining teams played playoff games on a home and away basis. The Winners advance to the group stage. Group stage, the 16 teams are divided into 4 groups of 4 teams. The winners advance to the final round. Final round, the 4 teams play playoff games on a home and away basis, the winners would qualify.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Continental zones
First round, the 22 teams are divided into 6 groups, 4 groups of 4 teams and 2 groups of 3 teams. the winners advance to the final round. Final round, the 6 teams played each other once, the winner and runner up qualify


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Continental zones
The 4 teams are divided into 2 groups of 2 teams. The winners advance to the final round. Final round, the 3 teams played each other twice. The winner advance to the comabol/ ofc inter cononental playoff.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Inter-confederation play-offs: CONMEBOL v OFC
The winning team of the OFC qualification tournament played the CONMEBOL group winner with the weakest record in a home-and-away play-off. The winner of this play-off qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Qualified teams
The following 24 teams qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup:


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification, Qualified teams
8 of the 24 teams subsequently failed to qualify for the 1994 finals: Austria, Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, England, Scotland, United Arab Emirates, and Uruguay. Yugoslavia would be banned from the 1994 finals due to sanctions that were imposed on them by the United Nations as a result of the Bosnian War, bringing the total number of teams who failed to qualify for the subsequent tournament to 9.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
The Asian Football Confederation was allocated two assured qualifying berths for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. 26 teams were in the running for these spots; Bahrain, India, Maldives and South Yemen withdrew without playing a qualifying match.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
Asia's two automatic qualifying berths were taken by Korea Republic and the United Arab Emirates.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC), Final round, Standings
Korea Republic and the United Arab Emirates qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) section of the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification saw teams competing for two berths in the final tournament in Italy.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)
26 nations in total entered the qualifying stage. FIFA rejected the entries of Mauritius and Mozambique due to their outstanding debts, leaving 24 nations to contest the qualifying spots. Lesotho, Rwanda and Togo withdrew after the draw for the first round, which took place on 12 December 1987, but before playing a match. Libya won their first round tie and advanced to the second round, but withdrew halfway through that stage, meaning all their results in the group were annulled.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF), First round
Eight knockout (two-legged) ties were originally required, involving the sixteen lowest ranked African countries. The withdrawals of three teams meant only five ties were actually contested. The eight successful teams advanced to the group format of the second round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF), Second round
The eight qualifiers from the first round were joined by the eight highest-ranked CAF teams. The teams were split into four groups of four which played a home-and-away round-robin, with the four group winners advancing to the final round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF), Second round, Group A
Libya played one match in this group before withdrawing from the competition, annulling their results.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF), Final round
The four group winners from the second round were drawn into two ties. The winner of each two-legged tie qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF), Final round
Egypt won 1–0 on aggregate and qualified for the 1990 World Cup.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF), Final round
Cameroon won 3–0 on aggregate and qualified for the 1990 World Cup.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
The South American (CONMEBOL) zone of qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup saw 9 teams competing for 2 direct places at the finals, with one extra place potentially on offer to the winner of a play-off. CONMEBOL member Argentina qualified automatically as reigning World Cup champions.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL), Format
Teams were divided into 3 groups of 3 teams each. The teams would play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The 2 group winners with the best record would qualify. The group winner with the worst record would advance to the CONMEBOL / OFC Intercontinental Play-off.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL), Draw
The draw for the qualifying groups took place in Zürich, Switzerland on 12 December 1987. During the draw teams were drawn from 3 seeded pots into the 3 qualifying groups.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL), Group 1
Uruguay qualified with the second-best record among the group winners.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL), Group 2
Colombia advanced to the CONMEBOL / OFC Intercontinental Play-off with the worst record among the group winners.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL), Group 3
Brazil qualified with the best record among the group winners.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL), Group 3
1The match was abandoned in the 67th minute with Brazil leading 1–0 after Chile walked off the field when a firecracker thrown from the crowd supposedly hit goalkeeper Roberto Rojas in the head, leaving him bloodied and having to be carried from the pitch on a stretcher; a subsequent FIFA investigation found that Rojas's injury was self-inflicted, using a razor blade concealed in his glove. On 13 September, the match was awarded 2–0 to Brazil, and Chile were banned from qualifying for the next World Cup. Rojas was given a lifetime ban from competitive football (lifted in 2001), as was Chile manager Orlando Aravena and team doctor Daniel Rodriguez.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL–OFC play-off)
The 1990 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL–OFC qualification play-off was an association football match played over two-legs between Israel and Colombia. The first leg was played at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia on the 15 October 1989; the second leg being played at the Ramat Gan Stadium in Ramat Gan, Israel on the 30 October 1989.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL–OFC play-off)
Both teams had to compete in regional qualifiers to make it to the play-off. home-and-away tie between the winners of the Oceania qualifying tournament, Israel, and the third-best team from the South American (CONMEBOL) qualifying tournament, Colombia. The games were played on 15 and 29 October 1989 in Barranquilla and Ramat Gan respectively. The last time Israel made the finals was Mexico 1970, Colombia was Chile 1962. After winning 2–1 on points (1–0 on aggregate), Colombia qualified for the World Cup.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the Oceanian zone (OFC).


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)
Five teams entered the competition: OFC members Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and non-OFC members Israel and Chinese Taipei. The Oceanian zone was allocated 0.5 places (out of 24) in the final tournament.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC), Format
There were two rounds of play. In the first round Israel received a bye and advanced to the second round directly. The remaining four teams were paired up to play knockout matches on a home-and-away basis, with the aggregate winners advancing to the second round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC), Format
In the second round, the three remaining teams played against each other in a group on a home-and-away basis. The group winner advanced to the play-off against the CONMEBOL group winner with the weakest record.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC), Inter-confederation play-offs
The winning team of the OFC qualification tournament played the CONMEBOL group winner with the weakest record in a home-and-away play-off. The winner of this play-off qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
The European (UEFA) zone of qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup saw 32 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. UEFA members Italy qualified automatically as hosts of the finals. The qualification process started on 21 May 1988 and ended on 18 November 1989.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA), Format
Teams were drawn into seven groups, four groups of five teams and three of four teams. All seven group-winners qualified automatically, with the runners-up in the four groups containing five teams (Groups 3, 5, 6 and 7) also qualifying. The two best second-placed teams in the three groups containing only four teams also qualified (Groups 1, 2 and 4). One second-placed team was therefore eliminated.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA), Draw
The draw for the qualifying groups took place in Zürich, Switzerland on 12 December 1987. During the draw teams were drawn from the 5 pots into the 7 groups. The seedings below were announced ten days before the draw. Teams qualified to the final tournament are in bold.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC First Round
The AFC First Round of 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification was decided by a draw which was conducted in Zürich, Switzerland on 12 December 1987. The round began on 6 January 1989 and finished on 29 July 1989.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC First Round
The top countries in each group at the end of the stage progressed to the final round, where the six remaining teams competed for the two places at the final tournament.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC First Round, Format
The Maldives withdrew before the final draw, leaving 25 teams to be divided into 6 groups of 4 or 5 teams each. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis, except in Group 4, where the teams played against each other twice but all games were held in South Korea and Singapore. The group winners would advance to the Final Round. Bahrain, India, and South Yemen withdrew after the draw, meaning a total of 22 teams competed.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF First Round
The CAF First Round was the first stage of the qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) zone.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF First Round, Format
Eight knockout ties were originally drawn, involving the sixteen lowest ranked African countries.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF First Round, Format
Lesotho, Rwanda and Togo all withdrew after the draw was made. This meant their scheduled opponents – Zimbabwe, Zambia and Gabon – all advanced by walkover.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF First Round, Format
The winners of each tie advanced to the Second Round, where they were joined by the eight highest ranked African teams who received a bye in the first round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF First Round, Matches
Angola won 2 – 1 on aggregate and advanced to the Second Round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF First Round, Matches
Malawi won 3 – 2 on aggregate and advanced to the Second Round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF First Round, Matches
Libya won 3 – 2 on aggregate and advanced to the Second Round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF First Round, Matches
Liberia won 2 – 0 on aggregate and advanced to the Second Round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF First Round, Matches
Tunisia won 5 – 3 on aggregate and advanced to the Second Round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Second Round
The CAF Second Round was the second stage of qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) zone.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Second Round
The eight teams advancing from the first round were joined by the eight highest ranked African nations: Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco,  Nigeria and Zaire.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Second Round, Format
The sixteen teams were drawn into four groups of four. Each group contained two of the seeded teams, and two teams that had advanced from the first round. The teams would play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The four group winners advanced to the Final Round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Second Round, Group A
Libya withdrew after playing their first group match; their second game was originally awarded to opponents Algeria by walkover, but all Libyan results were later annulled by FIFA.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC First Round
This page provides the summaries of the OFC First Round matches for 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC First Round, Format
In this round four of the five teams were drawn into 2 home-and-away ties.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC First Round, Format
The 2 winners advanced to the second round of the OFC qualifiers.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC First Round, Matches
New Zealand won 8–1 on aggregate and advanced to the Second Round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC First Round, Matches
Australia won 5–2 on aggregate and advanced to the Second Round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC Second Round
This is the current revision of this page, as edited by Frietjes (talk | contribs) at 20:59, 3 December 2019 (→Standings). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this version.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC Second Round
This page provides the summaries of the OFC Second Round matches for 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC Second Round, Format
In this round Israel who was awarded a bye into the Second Round played Australia and New Zealand who in the First Round.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC Second Round, Format
The winners advanced to the play-off against the CONMEBOL group winners with the weakest record.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1
The 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 1 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece and Romania.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1
The group was won by Romania, who qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Runners-up Denmark failed to qualify as their record was the worst of the runners-up from the groups containing only four teams.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1, Goalscorers
There were 34 goals scored during the 12 games, an average of 2.83 goals per game.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2
The 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 2 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised Albania, England, Poland and Sweden.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2
The group was won by Sweden, who qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. England also qualified as one of the best runners-up.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2, Goalscorers
There were 26 goals scored during the 12 games, an average of 2.17 goals per game.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 3
The 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 3 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised Austria, East Germany, Iceland, the Soviet Union and Turkey.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 3
The group was won by the Soviet Union, who qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Austria also qualified as runners-up.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 3, Goalscorers
There were 47 goals scored during the 20 games, an average of 2.35 goals per game.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4
The 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 4 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised Finland, European champions the Netherlands, Wales and West Germany.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4
The group was won by the Netherlands, who qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. West Germany also qualified as one of the best runners-up.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4, Goalscorers
There were 29 goals scored during the 12 games, an average of 2.42 goals per game.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 5
The 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 5 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised Cyprus, France, Norway, Scotland and Yugoslavia.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 5
The group was won by Yugoslavia, who qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Scotland also qualified as runners-up.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 5, Goalscorers
There were 54 goals scored during the 20 games, an average of 2.7 goals per game.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6
The 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 6 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The group consisted of Hungary, Malta, Northern Ireland, Spain and the Republic of Ireland.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6
The group was won by Spain, who qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The Republic of Ireland also qualified as runners-up for their first ever World Cup Finals.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 6, Goalscorers
There were 47 goals scored during the 20 games, an average of 2.35 goals per game.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 7
The 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group 7 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The group consisted of Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Luxembourg, Portugal and Switzerland.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 7
The group was won by Belgium, who qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Czechoslovakia also qualified as runners-up.


1990 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 7, Goalscorers
There were 52 goals scored during the 20 games, an average of 2.6 goals per game.


1990 FIFA World Cup squads
This article lists the national football squads for the 1990 FIFA World Cup final tournament held in Italy, between 8 June and 8 July 1990. Each country's final squad consisted of 22 players and had to be confirmed by 29 May.


1990 FIFA World Cup squads
Replacement of injured players was permitted during the tournament at the discretion of FIFA. Two goalkeepers (for Argentina and England) were allowed to replace their injured counterparts under this ruling. Players marked (c) were named as captain for their national squad. Number of caps counts until the start of the World Cup, including all pre-tournament friendlies. A player's age is also at the start of the tournament.


1990 FIFA World Cup squads, Group C, Scotland
The Scotland squad was numbered according to the number of caps that each player had won at the time. The exception to this was Goalkeeper Jim Leighton who was given the traditional number 1 jersey.


1990 FIFA World Cup squads, Notes
Each national team had to submit a squad of 22 players. All the teams included 3 goalkeepers, except Colombia and Republic of Ireland who only called two.


1990 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup
The 1990 Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Final was held in Brussels, Belgium in 1990.


1990 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup
The 1990 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup was the third edition of the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup, held in Brussels, Belgium. The competition was officially organized by the International Gymnastics Federation.


1990 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship
The 1990 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship was the 2nd edition of the event. It was held in Milan, Italy from 1 to 2 December 1990.


1990 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship
The 1990 FIVB Men's World Championship was the twelfth edition of the tournament, organised by the world's governing body, the FIVB. It was held from 18 to 28 October 1990 in Brazil.


1990 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship squads
This article shows the rosters of the participating teams at the 1990 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in Brazil from 18–28 October 1990.


1990 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship
The 1990 FIVB Women's World Championship was the eleventh edition of the tournament, organised by the world's governing body, the FIVB. It was held from 22 August to 1 September 1990 in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenyang, PR China.


1990 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship squads
This article shows the participating team squads at the 1990 FIVB Women's World Championship, held from 22 August to 1 September in China.


1990 FIVB Volleyball World League
The 1990 FIVB Volleyball World League was the first edition of the annual men's international volleyball tournament, played by 8 countries from 27 April to 15 July 1990. The Final Round was held in Osaka, Japan.


1990 Family Circle Cup
The 1990 Family Circle Cup was a women's tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts at the Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina in the United States and was part of Tier I of the 1990 WTA Tour. It was the 18th edition of the tournament and ran from April 2 through April 8, 1990. First-seeded Martina Navratilova won the singles title, her fourth at the event.


1990 Family Circle Cup, Finals, Doubles
Martina Navratilova /  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario defeated  Mercedes Paz /  Natasha Zvereva 6–2, 6–1


1990 Faroese general election
Parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands on 17 November 1990.


1990 Faroese general election, Results
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1990 Faroese general election, Results
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1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance
On 11 September 1990, a Faucett Perú Boeing 727 airliner, registered OB-1303, disappeared in an area of the Atlantic Ocean approximately 180 miles southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The aircraft was being ferried back from Malta to Peru after having been leased to Air Malta, and had six crewmembers on board as well as ten passengers consisting of airline employees and their families. The last contact with the crew was a distress message stating that the aircraft had  run out of fuel and that they were preparing to ditch. The aircraft was hundreds of miles off course at the time. Nothing more was ever heard from the flight, and no trace of the aircraft or any of the occupants has since been found.


1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance, Background
The aircraft involved was a 21-year-old Boeing 727-247 registered OB-1303 that first flew in 1969. The aircraft had been leased to European carrier Air Malta for the summer season of 1990 by its owner Faucett Perú, and on the day of the disappearance was being ferried back from Malta to Peru at the end of its lease. The aircraft had been painted in Air Malta livery for the summer and remained decorated as such on the day of the disappearance. On board were six crewmembers and ten passengers consisting of airline employees and their families. The employees included mechanics and other ground crew personnel who had been working in Malta. It is believed an infant was on board and up to four women. All of those on board were Peruvian nationals.


1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance, Background
The aircraft was scheduled to make refuelling stops during its journey at London in England/Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy; Keflavík International Airport in Iceland; Gander International Airport in Newfoundland and finally Miami International Airport before arriving at Lima International Airport, Peru. The aircraft made its first two stops without incident, with the incident occurring on the Keflavík-Gander leg.


1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance, Incident
Having refuelled at Keflavík, the aircraft left Iceland for Gander at 1:16 p.m. local time without incident. However, the aircraft did not arrive in Gander at its expected arrival time. 30 minutes after it was due in Gander, at 3:20 p.m., two nearby flights, TWA Flight 851 and American Airlines Flight 35, picked up a transmission from the aircraft declaring a low-fuel emergency. The pilots had stated that they were at 10,000 feet and were preparing to ditch the aircraft into the Atlantic Ocean. The message was relayed by the two U.S. aircraft to Air Traffic Control. This was the last message received from the aircraft, and nothing more was ever heard from the flight.


1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance, Incident
The aircraft's last known location was around 250 miles southeast of the city of  St. Johns, Newfoundland, and 180 miles southeast of Newfoundland at its nearest point. This suggested that the aircraft had unknowingly strayed off course, since this was far from the planned route to Gander. It is presumed that no one survived the ditching.


1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance, Search
After not hearing from the flight for hours, a rescue attempt was launched by the Canadian Armed Forces, with three CP-140 Aurora airplanes and three CH-113 Labrador helicopters being dispatched to the area where the plane was last heard from. Two Canadian Coast Guard vessels, two fisheries patrol vessels and two naval destroyers were also dispatched to the search area. A weak signal from the jet's emergency transmitter was picked up by satellite after radio contact was lost, although an exact location of the signal's source could not be identified. Authorities also stated that "unusual signals" had been picked up by satellites, and did not know if these unexplained signals had come from a plane or life raft.


1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance, Search
It was assumed that the aircraft had ditched at sea and that the aircraft could be found floating in the water. The weather at the time of the disappearance was described as good and the seas were calm, and it was thought that the plane had the ability to withstand a landing at sea and float for several hours. Visibility was also found to be good at the presumed crash site. The plane was reportedly equipped with emergency lifeboats, lifevests and other safety devices to be used in the event of a ditching.


1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance, Search
Despite the search effort, the search aircraft reported finding no trace of the missing plane, and nothing was ever found from the flight. Officials stated that the search was hampered by the plane's white colour, which made it difficult to spot it from the air. The aircraft, the crew and passengers remain missing.


1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance, Aftermath
Originally, it was reported that a total of 18 people were on board the plane at the time of its disappearance, but Faucett Airlines officials later changed the number to 15 because it was believed that three people had left the plane when it refuelled in Iceland. Records now show that there was a total of 16 people on board the aircraft when it disappeared.


1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance, Aftermath
Transport Canada spokesman Lily Abbass stated in the aftermath that the jet was off course at the time of last contact, and officials speculated that the aircraft "got lost" during its journey. The jet had strayed hundreds of miles from its route to Gander, and a reason for this could not be established. Despite the pilots reporting that they did not have enough fuel, officials at Keflavík insisted there was no problem during the stopover there. Officials from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) stated that they believed the aircraft had indeed ditched in the sea.


1990 Faucett Perú Boeing 727 disappearance, Aftermath
The story of the aircraft's disappearance briefly resurfaced after the much-publicised disappearance of another airliner in 2014, Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, which vanished with 239 passengers on board and possibly crashed into the Indian Ocean.


1990 Federation Cup (tennis)
The 1990 Federation Cup was the 28th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. The tournament was held at the Peachtree World of Tennis in Norcross, GA, United States, from 21–29 July. The United States defeated the Soviet Union in the final, giving the USA their 14th and 2nd consecutive title.


1990 Federation Cup (tennis), Qualifying rounds
All ties were played at the Peachtree World of Tennis in Norcross, GA, United States, on hard courts.


1990 Federation Cup (tennis), Qualifying rounds, Pre-qualifying
Winning nations advance to Main Qualifying, losing nations play in Consolation Qualifying round.


1990 Federation Cup (tennis), Qualifying rounds, Main Qualifying
Winning nations advance to Main Draw, losing nations play in Consolation Qualifying round.


1990 Federation Professional League season
The 1990 edition of the Federation Professional League was the final competition to take place. Five teams from the FPL joined the National Soccer League structure following the competition.


1990 Federation Professional League season
The teams highlighted in green moved to the National Soccer League structure for the 1991 season alongside three clubs from the NSL's feeder; the OK League:


1990 Fernleaf International Classic
The 1990 Fernleaf International Classic was a women's tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts in Wellington, New Zealand and was part of the Tier V category of the 1990 WTA Tour. It was the third edition of the tournament and was held from 5 February until 11 February 1990. Sixth-seeded Wiltrud Probst won the singles title.


1990 Fernleaf International Classic, Finals, Doubles
Natalia Medvedeva /  Leila Meskhi defeated  Michelle Jaggard-Lai /  Julie Richardson 6–3, 2–6, 6–4


1990 Fiesta Bowl
The 1990 Sunkist Fiesta Bowl was the 19th edition of the Fiesta Bowl, played on January 1, in Tempe, Arizona. The game featured the sixth-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers of the Big Eight Conference and the independent fifth-ranked Florida State Seminoles.


1990 Fiesta Bowl, Game summary
Less than four minutes into the game, Nebraska quarterback Gerry Gdowski threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Morgan Gregory for the only score of the first quarter. Florida State got on the scoreboard with a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Peter Tom Willis to wide receiver Terry Anthony, tying the game at seven early in the second quarter. Chris Drennan responded with a 39-yard field goal to put Nebraska ahead 10–7 with over twelve minutes left in the half.


1990 Fiesta Bowl, Game summary
Willis connected with wide receiver Reggie Johnson for a 5-yard touchdown pass and a 14–10 Seminole lead. He later connected with Dexter Carter for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 24 seconds left in the half, as the Seminoles took a 21–10 lead into the locker room.


1990 Fiesta Bowl, Game summary
With six minutes left in the third quarter, Paul Moore scored for Florida State on a 1-yard touchdown run, but the extra point attempt was blocked and the score was 27–10. With 3:37 left in the quarter, Willis threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game, an 8-yard strike to Johnson, widening the gap to 34–10. With two seconds left in the quarter, Willis threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Terry Anthony for a  41–10 lead. In the second and third quarters, Florida State outscored Nebraska 41–3. Nebraska scored the only points of the fourth quarter on a touchdown run by quarterback Mickey Joseph with 1:16 remaining. It was the Huskers' worst defeat in a bowl game in 23 years.


1990 Fiesta Bowl, Game summary
Florida State climbed to third in the final AP poll, while Nebraska dropped to eleventh.


1990 Fiesta Bowl, Game summary
It was the fourth loss in as many appearances at the Fiesta Bowl for the Huskers; they won their next two in 1996 and 2000.


1990 Fife Regional Council election
The 1990 Fife Regional Council election, the fifth election to the Fife Regional Council, was held on 3 May 1990 as part of the wider 1990 Scottish regional elections. The election saw Labour maintaining their control of the region's 46 seat council.


1990 Fiji rugby union tour of Hong Kong and France
The 1990 Fiji rugby union tour of Hong Kong and France was a series of matches played in December  1990 in Hong Kong and France by Fiji national rugby union team.


1990 Fiji rugby union tour of Hong Kong and France
The matches played in France were valid for the "Toulouse Centenary International Masters".


1990 Fine Gael leadership election
The Fine Gael leadership election of November 1990 was held to find a successor to Alan Dukes who resigned following a collapse in the party's support and the poor showing of the Fine Gael candidate, Austin Currie, in the presidential election.


1990 Fine Gael leadership election
Dukes, who had been elected leader in 1987, faced a motion of no confidence in his leadership as unrest grew about the poor standing of the party. Rather than face the parliamentary party and almost certain defeat, Dukes resigned on 13 November and triggered the leadership contest. John Bruton, who was defeated by Dukes for the leadership in 1987 and had been deputy-leader since then, took over as acting party leader.


1990 Fine Gael leadership election
A number of candidates immediately emerged for the party leadership. Bruton was the first to throw his hat in the ring and was installed as the 'hot favourite' to win the contest. Ivan Yates, one of the younger members of the party and front bench spokesperson on health, also launched a leadership campaign based on policy direction and party strategy. Other TDs who considered running included Michael Noonan and Gay Mitchell.


1990 Fine Gael leadership election
On 15 November Noonan and Mitchell announced that they would not be putting their names forward for the leadership and would be supporting Bruton. Yates, the only other TD to officially announce his candidacy, also withdrew after pressure by senior figures in the party who, in the interest of party unity, believed that Bruton should be elected leader unopposed.


1990 Fine Gael leadership election
On 20 November John Bruton was elected unopposed as leader of Fine Gael.


1990 Five Nations Championship
The 1990 Five Nations Championship was the 61st series of the Five Nations Championship, an annual rugby union competition between the major rugby union national teams in Europe. The tournament consisted of ten matches held between 16 January and 24 March 1990.


1990 Five Nations Championship
The tournament was the 61st in its then format as the Five Nations; including its former incarnation as the Home Nations Championship, the 1990 Five Nations was the 96th championship.


1990 Five Nations Championship, Summary
The championship was contested by England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Scotland won the tournament, achieving a final 13–7 victory over England to win the Grand Slam, their first since 1984 and third overall in the Five Nations. This was also their thirteenth outright victory, including nine victories in the Home Nations, excluding eight titles shared with other countries.


1990 Five Nations Championship, Summary
It was the third occasion, after 1978 and 1984, on which two teams each with three victories faced off against each other in the final round of matches, with both capable of completing a Grand Slam with a victory, and the first time that the Triple Crown had also been at stake at the same time, as a result of England and Scotland's earlier victories over the other Home Nations. England and France placed second and third with three and two wins respectively, while Ireland and Wales placed fourth and fifth with one victory and none. This was Wales's first whitewash in Championship history.


1990 Five Nations Championship, Summary
This was Scotland's final Grand Slam in the Five Nations and penultimate overall win, as they would later win the final 1999 Five Nations Championship on points difference. It also remains Scotland's most recent Grand Slam win, as they have yet to win a Grand Slam since Italy joined what became the Six Nations Championship in 2000.


1990 Five Nations Championship squads, France
(*) Captain in the first two games(**) Captain in the third and fourth games


1990 Five Nations Championship squads, Ireland
(*) Captain in the first two games(**) Captain in the third and fourth games


1990 Florida Citrus Bowl
The 1990 Florida Citrus Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game at the Florida Citrus Bowl stadium in Orlando, Florida between the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the Virginia Cavaliers on January 1, 1990. The game was the final contest of the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season for both teams, and ended in a 31–21 victory for Illinois.


1990 Florida Citrus Bowl, Game summary
Illinois snapped a 26-year bowl victory drought with a 31–21 win over Virginia in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Illinois jumped on the Cavaliers early, with linebacker Bill Henkel recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. Five plays later, quarterback Jeff George drilled a 15-yard scoring strike to Steven Williams. After Virginia tied the game early in the second quarter, George directed Illinois on an 80-yard scoring drive. Illinois opened the second half with an 84-yard drive capped by fullback Howard Griffith's three-yard touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, receiver Mike Bellamy scored on a 26-yard pass from George to clinch an Illini victory. George earned MVP honors, completing 26-of-38 for 321 yards and three TDs.


1990 Florida Citrus Bowl, Statistical summary
Rushing (Att.-Yds.-TD): UI – Griffith 18-93-0, Steve Feagin 10-54-0;   UV – Terry Kirby 8-64-0.


1990 Florida Citrus Bowl, Statistical summary
Passing (Att.-Comp.-Int.-TD-Yds. ): UI – George 38-26-1-3-321; UV – S. Moore 27-17-2-2-191.


1990 Florida Citrus Bowl, Statistical summary
Receiving (No.-Yds.-TD): UI – Bellamy 8-166-1, Williams 4-45-1; UV – Finkelston 3-69-1, Herman Moore 5-56-1.


1990 Florida Gators football team
The 1990 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The season  marked the return of the Gators' Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Steve Spurrier to his alma mater as the new head coach of the Florida Gators football team.


1990 Florida Gators football team
Spurrier's 1990 Florida Gators, while ineligible to win the SEC title or receive a bowl bid because of lingering NCAA probation, nevertheless posted a best-in-the-SEC record of 6–1 and an overall record of 9–2, and laid the foundation for the Gators' run of six SEC championships and a national title during the next decade. They finished thirteenth in the season's final AP Poll.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Before the season
Just before Spurrier's Gator coaching debut, the Gainesville campus was rocked by the murders committed by Danny Rolling.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Before the season
During Spurrier's first season, he was able to build on the strong talent recruited by departing Gators coach Galen Hall, but the Gators also reaped the benefits of Spurrier's "there are no excuses for losing" mantra. Even as Spurrier's new "fun 'n' gun" offensive scheme led by quarterback Shane Matthews, wide receiver Ernie Mills and tight end Kirk Kirkpatrick was breaking team scoring and yardage records, defensive coordinator Jim Bates coached one of the best defensive squads in team history, including two first-team All-Americans, defensive end Huey Richardson and safety Will White.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Oklahoma State
Combating the gloom, the Gators opened the season with a no-huddle, 80-yard touchdown drive in six plays to defeat the Oklahoma State Cowboys 50–7.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Alabama
In their second game, the Gators came from behind to beat Alabama, a confidence-building, 17–13 signature road win, which set the tone for the remainder of the season,. Spurrier treasured the wins against the Crimson Tide: "Those victories early – '90, '91 – really got us started there at Florida ..." Alabama quarterback Gary Hollingsworth threw three interceptions to Florida safety Will White, and the Gators scored the winning touchdown on a blocked punt.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Mississippi State
Building on the Alabama win, the Gators had a 34–21 conference victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
The Gators suffered a disappointing  3–45 road loss to the fifth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville, Tennessee. In yet another link between the programs, Spurrier had been a star quarterback at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee during the early 1960s. Although Knoxville is nearby, he did not seriously consider attending UT because he was an excellent passer and the Vols ran a single-wing offense at the time which featured a running quarterback. Instead, he choose to return to the state of his birth (Spurrier was born in Miami Beach), eventually becoming the Gators' first Heisman Trophy winner in 1966.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
Spurrier's first Gator squad was 5–0 and ranked No. 9 coming into the matchup with Johnny Majors' 3–0–2 and No. 5 Vols, marking the first time in series history that both rivals were ranked in the AP top-10 when they faced off. (It was not Spurrier’s first visit to Knoxville as an opposing coach; his 1988 Duke Blue Devils had upset the Vols 31–26.)


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
The 1990 game began as a defensive struggle, with UT holding a slim 7–3 lead at the half. However, the Vols' Dale Carter returned the second half kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown, igniting the home crowd at Neyland Stadium.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Tennessee
On their ensuing possession, the Gators fumbled for what would be the first of six UF turnovers in the second half. The opportunistic Vols took full advantage, turning Spurrier’s homecoming (and, coincidentally, UT's homecoming game) into a dominating 45–3 rout, the largest margin of victory for either team in the series.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Auburn
Coach Pat Dye's 1990 Auburn Tigers were the defending three-time SEC champions, had built an undefeated 6−0−1 record, and were ranked fourth in the nation in the AP Poll. Notwithstanding the fact that first-year coach Steve Spurrier's fifteenth-ranked Gators were three-point favorites, Dye had been publicly dismissive of Spurrier's pass-oriented offense before the game.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Auburn
The Gators and Tigers were tied 7–7 after the first quarter, but Spurrier's Gators exploded for twenty-seven points in the second quarter, resulting in a 34–7 halftime lead and a 48–7 victory for the Gators, which was the Gators' biggest margin of victory in the series, and the worst loss of Dye's career.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Georgia
Florida's first win against Georgia since 1986, the Gators beat the Bulldogs 38–7 .


1990 Florida Gators football team, Game summaries, Florida State
The game was dubbed by some as the "Seminole Bowl" due to Florida's postseason ban.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Postseason
Matthews finished the season with 2,952 passing yards and twenty-three touchdowns—then the most passing yards in Gators history. He was SEC Player of the Year.


1990 Florida Gators football team, Postseason
Before Spurrier returned to Gainesville, the Gators had never won an officially sanctioned Southeastern Conference (SEC) or national football championship (Florida's first SEC championship was in 1984, but was retroactively vacated by the SEC for infractions incurred by former head coach Charley Pell). Before Spurrier resigned to seek a coaching position in the National Football League in January 2002, the Gators would win six SEC titles, play for two national championships, and win one in 1996.


1990 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 1990 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University in the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Bobby Bowden and played their home games at Doak Campbell Stadium.


1990 Florida gubernatorial election
The 1990 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1990. Incumbent Republican Governor Bob Martinez ran for a second term in office, but was defeated by Democratic challenger Lawton Chiles, a former U.S. Senator. As of 2021, this remains the last time in which an incumbent Florida Governor lost reelection.


1990 Florida gubernatorial election, Overview
Incumbent Republican Governor Bob Martinez, who was just the second member of his party elected Governor of Florida after Reconstruction, was deeply unpopular. His job approval rating had sunk to around 24% after, in 1989, he called the Florida Legislature into special session in an effort to pass pro-life laws. None of the governor's proposals made it out of committee.


1990 Florida gubernatorial election, Democratic primary
The Democratic primary was a contest between former U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles and U.S. Representative Bill Nelson.


1990 Florida gubernatorial election, Democratic primary
The 60-year-old Chiles, who retired after three terms from the Senate in 1989 after serious health problems, was challenged by the younger 47-year-old Nelson, who questioned his health in the campaign and presented himself as alternative.


1990 Florida gubernatorial election, Democratic primary
This, however, backfired on Nelson and cost him the election; the elderly population in Florida took great offense to Nelson's attacks and, in turn, voted for Chiles.


1990 Football Championship of the Belarusian SSR
The 1990 Football Championship of the Belarusian SSR (Belarusian: Чэмпіянат БССР па футболе) was the 54th regular annual competition in football of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic at all-republican level. In the competition took part 48 teams in two tiers.


1990 Football Championship of the Belarusian SSR, Overview
It was contested by 16 teams, and Sputnik Minsk won the championship.


1990 Football League Cup Final
The 1990 Football League Cup Final took place at Wembley Stadium on 29 April 1990. It was the 30th League Cup Final, and was contested between Nottingham Forest and Oldham Athletic. Nigel Jemson scored the only goal of the game, shooting low to the net after his initial shot had been saved.


1990 Football League Cup Final
As of 2021, this is the last time that Nottingham Forest won the League Cup and a major trophy in general


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final
The 1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final was an association football match which was played on 26 May 1990 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Cambridge United and Chesterfield. The match was to determine the fourth and final team to gain promotion from the Football League Fourth Division, the fourth tier of English football, to the Third Division. The top three teams of the 1989–90 Football League Fourth Division season gained automatic promotion to the Third Division, while the clubs placed from fourth to seventh place in the table took part in play-offs.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final
The winners of the play-off semi-finals competed for the final place in the 1990–91 season in the Third Division. Stockport County and Maidstone United F.C. were the losing semi-finalists. This was the first season that the play-off final was determined in a single match at Wembley and this was the first of the play-off finals to be played at the national stadium.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final
The referee for the match, played in sunny conditions in front of a crowd of 26,404, was George Courtney. An uneventful first half ended goalless. In the second half, and after having missed several chances, Dion Dublin scored in the 77th minute to give Cambridge the lead. Mick Leonard, the Chesterfield goalkeeper, was ruled to have carried the ball out after attempting to catch a misdirected shot, and conceded a corner. Dublin out-jumped Chesterfield's defenders to head in Chris Leadbitter's set piece and make it 1–0. With two minutes remaininng, Jamie Hewitt's header was saved by the Cambridge goalkeeper John Vaughan. The match ended 1–0 and Cambridge secured promotion to the Third Division.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final
Chesterfield finished their following season in 18th position in the Fourth Division, with their manager Paul Hart being sacked mid-season. Cambridge United ended their next season as champions of the Third Division and gained promotion to the Second Division for the 1991–92 season.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Route to the final
John Beck took over as manager of Cambridge United in January 1990 after Chris Turner resigned on medical grounds. Cambridge United's performance in the  league was affected by their progression in the FA Cup where they were finally knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Crystal Palace, having played ten matches in the competition during the season. At that point, in March, they were in fourteenth place in the Fourth Division, but seven wins in their last nine games saw them make it into the play-offs on the final day of the regular season.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Route to the final
Cambridge United finished the regular 1990–91 season in sixth place in the Football League Fourth Division, the fourth tier of the English football league system, one place ahead of Chesterfield. Both therefore missed out on the three automatic places for promotion to the Third Division and instead took part in the play-offs, along with Stockport County and Maidstone United, to determine the fourth promoted team. Cambridge United finished two points behind Southend United (who were promoted in third place), four behind Grimsby Town (promoted as runners-up) and sixteen adrift of league winners Exeter City.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Route to the final
Chesterfield's opponents for their play-off semi-final were Stockport County. The first match of the two-legged tie took place at the Recreation Ground in Chesterfield on 13 May 1990. Calvin Plummer put the home side ahead in the 37th minute with a header before scoring from a John Chiedozie cross before half time. He completed his hat-trick on 55 minutes, striking through the legs of the Stockport goalkeeper to make it 3–0. Midway through the second half, John Ryan scored Chesterfield's fourth and the match ended 4–0. The second leg of the semi-final was held at Edgeley Park in Stockport three days later. Plummer scored his fourth play-off goal and Chiedozie doubled the lead for Chesterfield, who won 2–0 and progressed to the Wembley final with a 6–0 aggregate victory.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Route to the final
Cambridge United faced Maidstone United in their semi-final with the first leg being held at the Abbey Stadium in Cambridge on 13 May 1990. After a goalless first half, the home side took the lead six minutes after the interval from a penalty. Mark Golley was adjudged to have handled Lee Philpott's free kick in the Maidstone penalty area and Michael Cheetham converted the spot kick. With a minute remaining, Maidstone levelled the score when Mark Gall scored from a rebound after Dion Dublin's header struck his own crossbar, and the match ended 1–1.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Route to the final
The second leg was played three days later at Watling Street in Dartford, Maidstone's home ground which they shared with Dartford F.C. The first 90 minutes ended goalless which sent the match into extra time; there, goals from Dublin and Cheetham (another penalty) ensured a 3–1 aggregate win for Cambridge and qualification for the final.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Match, Background
It was the first time either side had taken part in the play-offs. This was the first season that the play-off final was determined in a single match at Wembley and this was the first of the play-off finals to be played at Wembley Stadium. Neither club had played a competitive match at the national stadium. In the matches between the clubs during the regular season, Chesterfield won at the Abbey Stadium 1–0 in September 1989 while the return match in April 1990 ended in a 1–1 draw. Before the final, the Cambridge United team took a cold shower in preparation for the match. The referee for the final was George Courtney.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Match, Summary
The match kicked off at around 3 p.m. on 26 May 1990 in front of a Wembley Stadium crowd of 26,404 in sunny conditions. Writing in The Guardian, Cynthia Bateman described that the first half of the match was "of such little excitement that the Chesterfield fans, too far away to take on the Cambridge supporters, began fighting among themselves". Keith Blackmore of The Times suggested that "for a long time [the game] was not a good advertisement for fourth division football". Although Cambridge had started the first half strongly, Chesterfield dominated the early stages of the second half.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Match, Summary
In the 60th minute, Cambridge made the first substitution of the match with Claridge coming on to replace John Taylor. Having missed several chances, Dublin scored in the 77th minute to give Cambridge the lead. Mick Leonard, the Chesterfield goalkeeper, was ruled to have carried the ball out after attempting to catch a misdirected shot, and conceded a corner. Dublin out-jumped Chesterfield's defenders to head in Leadbitter's set piece and make it 1–0. Almost immediately, Chesterfield replaced Chiedozie with Dave Waller.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Match, Summary
With six minutes of the match remaining, Cambridge made their second substitution, with Leadbitter being taken off for Mike Cook. Chesterfield had chances to score through Plummer and Waller but to no avail. In the 88th minute, Jamie Hewitt's header was saved by the Cambridge goalkeeper John Vaughan. Despite late chances to score for both teams, Cambridge secured promotion to the Third Division with a 1–0 victory.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Post-match
Beck was satisfied with the new play-off format: "If you had to choose how to get promoted, you would probably choose this way ... if you knew you were going to go up." His counterpart Paul Hart was less enthusiastic about the approach, suggesting that the team in fourth place should secure automatic promotion, but conceded that the play-offs had enabled his side "a second bit of the cherry". He was sacked in January 1991 with Chesterfield one point above the bottom of the league.


1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off Final, Post-match
Hart was replaced by Chris McMenemy (son of Lawrie McMenemy) as head coach and took on the manager's role in April. He led Chesterfield to finish in 18th position in the table. Cambridge United ended their following season as champions of the Third Division and gained promotion to the Second Division for the 1991–92 season. Decades later, Dublin described his goal as the "most memorable" of his career, saying "It’s my favourite – because it was the hard work to get to that situation ... that goal will always mean more than any of the others."


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final
The 1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final was an association football match which was played on 28 May 1990 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Sunderland and Swindon Town. The match was to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Football League Second Division, the second tier of English football, to the First Division.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final
The top two teams of the 1989–90 Football League Second Division season gained automatic promotion to the First Division, while the clubs placed from third to sixth place in the table took part in play-off semi-finals; Swindon Town ended the season in fourth position, two places ahead of Sunderland. The winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 1990–91 season in the First Division. Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers were the losing semi-finalists. This was the first season that the play-off final was determined over a single match and the first to be held at Wembley.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final
The match was refereed by John Martin and played in sunny conditions in front of a Wembley crowd of 72,873 spectators. Although Sunderland made a better start, Swindon dominated the fixture and after missing a number of chances, took the lead midway through the first half when Alan McLoughlin scored via a deflection from Gary Bennett. Swindon had several further chances to score but the second half was goalless and the match ended 1–0. Swindon Town were later demoted two divisions after being found guilty of financial irregularities which resulted in Sunderland gaining promotion. On appeal, Swindon's punishment was reduced to immediate relegation back to the Second Division.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final
Swindon ended their following season in 21st place in the Second Division, two points above the relegation zone. Sunderland were relegated back to the Second Division by the end of the next season, finishing in 19th place.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Route to the final
Swindon Town finished the regular 1990–91 season in fourth place in the Football League Second Division, the second tier of the English football league system, two places ahead of Sunderland on goal difference. Both therefore missed out on the two automatic places for promotion to the First Division and instead took part in the play-offs, along with Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers, to determine the third promoted team. Swindon Town finished eleven points behind both Sheffield United (who were promoted in second place) and league winners Leeds United who had secured the title on goal difference.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Route to the final
Sunderland's opposition in their play-off semi-final were their Tyne–Wear derby rivals Newcastle United, with the first leg being played at Roker Park in Sunderland on 13 May 1990. The game proved to be ill-tempered with a total of seven players were booked, including a red card being shown by the referee: Sunderland's Paul Hardyman was dismissed after a foul on the Newcastle goalkeeper John Burridge who saved Hardyman's second half injury-time penalty. The match produced no shots on target and ended goalless. The second leg was played at St James' Park in Newcastle three days later.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Route to the final
Eric Gates opened the scoring for the visitors when he converted a low cross from Gary Owers. Marco Gabbiadini then doubled Sunderland's lead in the 86th minute which led to a pitch invasion from the home supporters: the referee halted play and withdrew the players to their dressing rooms for twenty minutes while police restored calm. The final four minutes were played out without further addition to the score, and Sunderland qualified for the final, with a 2–0 aggregate victory.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Route to the final
Swindon Town faced Blackburn Rovers in the other play-off semi-final and the first leg was played at Ewood Park in Blackburn on 13 May 1990. The visitors took the lead after half an hour as Steve White from an David Kerslake break. Swindon dominated the match and Peter Foley doubled their lead in the 55th minute with a volley from at least 25 yards (23 m). Andy Kennedy scored a consolation goal in the 73rd minute as the match ended 2–1 to Swindon. The second leg of the semi-final took place at the County Ground three days later.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Route to the final
A weak backpass from Blackburn defender David Mail allowed Duncan Shearer to intercept and score, making it 3–1 on aggregate to the home side. Minutes later, Shearer then went clear down the left wing and his pass was converted by White from close range. Midway through the second half, Howard Gayle's 30-yard (27 m) strike was deflected by Ross MacLaren past Fraser Digby in the Swindon goal to make it 2–1 on the day, but Swindon progressed to the final with a 4–2 aggregate win.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Background
Neither side had featured in a play-off final although Swindon Town had lost in the semi-finals during the 1989 Football League play-offs. Swindon Town's last visit to Wembley Stadium was 21 years prior when they beat Arsenal 3–1 in the 1969 Football League Cup Final. This was Sunderland's fourth competitive trip to Wembley, the last time ending in a 1–0 defeat to Norwich City in the 1985 Football League Cup Final.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Background
They had also participated in the Football League Centenary Tournament, a friendly competition hosted at Wembley across two days in 1988, where they were knocked out in the first round on penalties by Wigan Athletic. They had last featured in the First Division in the 1984–85 season when they were relegated in 21st place. Swindon had never played at the top tier of English football but had been twice in four seasons, winning the Fourth Division in the 1985–86 season and the 1987 Football League Third Division play-off Final.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Background
It was expected that around 40,000 Sunderland fans would make the tip to Wembley, and both clubs confirmed that they had sold their original allocation of 30,000 tickets. There was speculation in the media that the match would be a sell-out, with around 80,000 fans expected to attend. A Wembley official stated that both clubs had requested more than their official allocation of tickets and they were "staggered" by the interest in the match. This was the first play-off final to take place in a single match at Wembley Stadium: the previous three seasons had seen the play-off winners being determined after two legs, one match being played at the home ground of each finalist.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Background
Sunderland were undefeated in the two games between the clubs during the regular league season: they won 2–0 at the County Ground in August 1989 before drawing the return fixture 2–2 at Roker Park in December that year. Sunderland's top scorer for the regular season was Marco Gabbiadini with 25 goals in all competitions (21 in the league and 4 in the League Cup), followed by Gordon Armstrong (13 goals; 8 in the league, 1 in the FA Cup, 3 in the League Cup and 1 in the Full Members' Cup).


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Background
Leading Swindon's goal-scoring chart were Duncan Shearer with 26 (20 in the league, 1 in the FA Cup, 4 in the League Cup and 1 in the Full Members' Cup) and Steve White with 25 (18 in the league, 5 in the League Cup and 2 in the Full Members’ Cup).


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Background
The referee for the match was John Martin who was assisted by two linesmen, John Biddle and John Godfrey. Hardyman was unavailable for Sunderland having been sent off in the semi-final first leg. Warren Hawke had taken his place in the second leg but Kieron Brady and Brian Atkinson were also available. Colin Pascoe was a long-term doubt having been out for eight weeks with an injured knee, but successfully completed a training session four days prior to the final. Swindon were considered narrow favourites to win by bookmakers. Sunderland wore royal blue shirts, dark blue shorts and royal blue socks while Swindon played in their standard red-and-white kit.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Background
Swindon went into the match having been under financial investigation since January 1990: they faced 36 charges of payment irregularities and the judgement was not scheduled until after the final. The People published a story in November 1989 claiming former manager Lou Macari and former chairman Brian Hillier of betting against their own team in a game against Newcastle which Swindon lost 5–0. Further allegations followed in The People, this time of irregular payments to players. Three weeks before the final, Macari, Hillier, former club accountant Vince Farrer and team captain Colin Calderwood were arrested for questioning. The Sunderland manager Denis Smith was keen to focus on the match and to disregard Swindon's off-pitch issues. He suggested that it would not impact the game and noted that Sunderland's aim was "quite simply to win the match".


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Summary
The match kicked off at 3 p.m. in sunny conditions on 28 May 1990 in front of a Wembley crowd of 72,873. Sunderland dominated the early stages of the game and within five minutes had missed two chances to take the lead. After less than two minutes, Pascoe flicked on a pass from Reuben Agboola to send Eric Gates clear on the left side of the penalty area. His floated cross into the middle was missed by  Gabbiadini. Then, a header from John McPhail into the Swindon penalty area was cleared.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Summary
In the sixth minute, Swindon had the first of a series of chances through White: this one he struck wide of Norman's goal. The next, a volley, was held onto by Norman while the third, a header from a Shearer pass, was deflected over the Sunderland crossbar. On 18 minutes, White then ran onto a weak backpass from McPhail and pushed the ball past Norman. His shot rolled along the goal line and struck the post, and the deflection was then struck by Shearer but Norman kept the ball out.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Summary
Tom Jones then took a shot which Norman blocked with his legs. In the 25th minute, Foley crossed from the right and found Alan McLoughlin just outside the Sunderland box. He struck the ball which took a large deflection off Gary Bennett's boot, changing both its pace and direction, and beat Tony Norman in the Sunderland goal. McLoughlin had spent most of the season as the attacking midfielder in Swindon's diamond formation but had not scored for three months leading up to the final. In the 40th minute, David Kerslake's pass to White found him unmarked in the penalty area but Norman recovered the ball. Just before half time, Kerslake and Jones worked the ball to Steve Foley but he headed over the Sunderland crossbar.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Match, Summary
Four minutes into the second half, Shearer then shot wide after being put through by White. In the 53rd minute, Gabbiadini picked up an injury while being denied a chance by Digby: Gabbiadini played on with his ankle heavily strapped. Sunderland's Agboola then cleared the ball off the line from another White opportunity. Midway through the second half, Swindon made their first substitution of the afternoon with Brian Atkinson coming on to replace Pascoe. Two minutes later, Gates was replaced by Thomas Hauser. With four minutes remaining, Shearer's header at the far post was tipped over by Norman. The match ended 1–0 and Calderwood collected the play-off final trophy, with Swindon earning their fourth promotion in five seasons.


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Post-match
Winning manager Ardiles was hoping for clemency in the courts, saying that it would be "an absolute tragedy" if Swindon's promotion was not upheld. He added: "Right now we are in the First Division. This is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life." His counterpart, Smith, said "We gave them too much room. After the first five minutes we had a job getting the ball off them." He spoke about his goalkeeper's performance: "At least we proved something out there. Everyone now knows we have the best goalkeeper in the Second Division."


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Post-match
Norman's performance in the Sunderland goal was described by Ian Murtagh in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle as "a one-man show stood between rampant Swindon and a goal glut." Speaking of possible sanctions, Calderwood said: "The players have not thought about what the League could do to us ... We just wanted to give them a problem and to get into the First Division."


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Post-match
Brian McNally, writing in the Newcastle Journal, suggested that such was the dominance of Swindon that "a four-goal margin would not have flattered them." The winning goal was described in The Guardian by Cynthia Bateman as "the flukiest of goals". Author Dick Mattick selected the play-off final as one of the matches for his book Swindon Town Football Club – Fifty of the Finest Matches. Conversely, in Sunderland A.F.C. – the official history 1879–2000, the game was described as a "horrendous anti-climax" and that "the 1–0 scoreline was a travesty – [Sunderland] should have been hammered."


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Post-match
Ten days after the final, Swindon were found guilty on 35 counts of illegal player payments and were given a two-division relegation. Initially this meant that Sunderland were promoted to the First Division in Swindon's place, and Tranmere Rovers were promoted from the Third Division to the Second Division. Following an appeal, Swindon's penalty was reduced to a one-division relegation and Tranmere's promotion was revoked, the condemnation of which was heard in an early day motion sponsored primarily by Frank Field, the Labour Party MP for Birkenhead (UK Parliament constituency).


1990 Football League Second Division play-off Final, Post-match
Swindon ended their following season in 21st place in the Second Division, two points above the relegation zone. Sunderland were relegated back to the Second Division by the end of the next season, finishing in 19th place.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final
The 1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final was an association football match which was played on 27 May 1990 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Notts County and Tranmere Rovers. The match was to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Football League Third Division, the third tier of English football, to the Second Division. The top two teams of the 1989–90 Football League Third Division season gained automatic promotion to the Second Division, while the clubs placed from third to sixth place in the table took part in play-offs.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final
The winners of the play-off semi-finals competed for the final place for the 1990–91 season in the Second Division. Bury and Bolton Wanderers were the losing semi-finalists, having been defeated by Tranmere and Notts County respectively. This was the first season that the play-off final was determined over a single match and the first to be held at Wembley.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final
The match was refereed by Roger Milford. Notts County dominated the early stages of the match with Bartlett having two shots saved within the first 15 minutes and took the lead in the 31st minute through cross from Kevin Bartlett found Tommy Johnson whose low strike beat Eric Nixon in the Tranmere goal. In the 63rd minute, a free kick played in by Phil Robinson reached Craig Short at the far post who headed it in to make the score 2–0. The final whistle brought the game to a close with Notts County 2–0 winners and gaining promotion to the Second Division.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final
Notts County's next season saw them finish in fourth position in the Second Division and qualify for the play-offs. After beating Middlesbrough in the semi-final 2–1 on aggregate, they defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 3–1 in the final to gain back-to-back promotions. Tranmere Rovers ended their following season in fifth place in the Third Division to qualify for the play-offs, where they defeated Brentford 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-final and Bolton 1–0 in the final to secure promotion to the Second Division.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Route to the final
Notts County finished the regular 1989–90 season in third position in the Football League Third Division, the third tier of the English football league system, one place and seven points ahead of Tranmere Rovers. Both therefore missed out on the two automatic places for promotion to the Second Division and instead took part in the play-offs to determine the third promoted team. Notts County finished four points behind Bristol City (who were promoted in second place), and six behind league winners Bristol Rovers.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Route to the final
Tranmere's opposition for their play-off semi-final were Bury with the first match of the two-legged tie taking place at Gigg Lane in Bury on 13 May 1990. The visitors dominated the game which Ian Ross of The Times described as "a strangely passionless affair, bearing in mind the significance of the game, and played almost exclusively in midfield". Both Neil McNab and Chris Malkin went close to scoring for Tranmere early in the second half before Eric Nixon made an oustretched save to deny a diving header from Tony Cunningham in the 62nd minute, and the match ended goalless. The second leg was held at Prenton Park in Tranmere three days later. Malkin gave the home side the lead four minutes before half-time before Ian Muir made it 2–0 from the penalty spot, giving Tranmere a 2–0 aggregate victory.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Route to the final
Notts County faced Bolton Wanderers in their semi-final and the first leg was played at Burnden Park in Bolton on 13 May 1990. The home side took the lead in the fourteenth minute from the penalty spot: Nick Platnauer fouled Stuart Storer and Tony Philliskirk scored the spot kick. With two minutes of the first half remaining, Gary Lund scored with a header from a Dean Thomas corner to level the score. After a goalless second half, the match ended 1–1. The second leg took place at Meadow Lane in Nottingham three days later.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Route to the final
In the 82nd second of the match, Bolton took the lead: a corner from Thomas found Lund at the far post who passed to Tommy Johnson who scored his 19th goal of the season. Notts County had several other opportunities to score but as Bolton began to increase the pressure, Kevin Bartlett was sent clear with a pass from Thomas and made it 2–0. Notts County won the tie 3–1 on aggregate and progressed to the final.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Match, Background
This was Notts County's second appearance in the play-offs having been defeated 4–2 on aggregate by Walsall in the 1988 play-offs. They had played in the third tier of English football since being relegated from the Second Division in the 1984–85 season. Tranmere Rovers were participating in their first play-off and having been promoted to the Third Division the previous season as runners-up in the Fourth Division, they were aiming for back-to-back promotions. They had last appeared in the second tier of English football in the 1938–39 season. Tranmere had played at Wembley Stadium the weekend before the play-off final in the Associate Members' Cup Final where they beat Bristol Rovers 2–1. Notts County were making their first appearance at the national stadium.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Match, Background
In the matches between play-off finalists during the regular season, both sides won their home games with Notts County winning 1–0 at Meadow Lane in October 1989 and Tranmere securing a 2–0 victory at Prenton Park the following March. The final was refereed by Roger Milford.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Match, Summary
The match kicked off around 3 p.m. at Wembley Stadium on 27 May 1990 in front of 29,252 spectators. Notts County dominated the early stages of the match with Bartlett having two shots saved within the first 15 minutes. They took the lead in the 31st minute: a cross from Bartlett found Johnson whose low strike beat Nixon in the Tranmere goal. No changes were made by either side to their personnel at half-time. Bartlett then beat Nixon to the ball and attempted to lob it into the net but Steve Vickers  cleared it.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Match, Summary
Steve Cherry, the Notts County goalkeeper, was forced to tip Jim Steel's header over the bar. In the 63rd minute, a free kick played in by Phil Robinson reached Craig Short at the far post who headed it in to make the score 2–0. With 13 minutes of the game remaining, Johnson ran through the Tranmere defence and was fouled by Steve Mungall and a free kick was awarded. Vickers was shown a yellow card for dissent, claiming it should have been a penalty. Johnson's set piece beat the wall but Nixon pushed the ball onto the goalpost.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Match, Summary
David Fairclough was then brought on to replace Mungall and his first significant contribution was to head the ball wide of the goal from 8 yards (7.3 m) following a McNab cross. Late in the match, Shaun Garnett was booked for a foul on Lund before the final whistle brought the game to a close with Notts County 2–0 winners and gaining promotion to the Second Division.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Post-match
The Tranmere manager Johnny King expressed his disappointment: "Our 65-match season has gone out of the window". His counterpart, Neil Warnock reflected on the financial impact of promotion, suggesting that Notts County "can now make ends meet next season".


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Post-match
Ten days after the Second Division play-off final, winners Swindon Town were found guilty on 35 counts of illegal player payments and were given a two-division relegation. Initially this meant that runners-up Sunderland were promoted to the First Division in Swindon's place, and Tranmere were promoted from the Third Division to the Second Division. Following an appeal, Swindon's penalty was reduced to a one-division relegation and Tranmere's promotion was revoked, the condemnation of which was heard in an early day motion sponsored primarily by Frank Field, the Labour Party MP for Birkenhead.


1990 Football League Third Division play-off Final, Post-match
Notts County's next season saw them finish in fourth position in the Second Division and qualify for the play-offs. After beating Middlesbrough in the semi-final 2–1 on aggregate, they defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 3–1 in the final to gain back-to-back promotions. Tranmere Rovers ended their following season in fifth place in the Third Division to qualify for the play-offs, where they defeated Brentford 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-final and Bolton 1–0 in the final to secure promotion to the Second Division.


1990 Football League play-offs
The Football League play-offs for the 1989–90 season were held in May 1990, with the finals taking place at Wembley Stadium. The play-off semi-finals were also played over two legs and were contested by the teams who finished in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th  place in the Football League Second Division, the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th placed teams in the Football League Third Division  and the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place teams in the  Football League Fourth Division table. The winners of the semi-finals progressed through to the finals, with the winner of these matches gaining promotion for the following season. The 1990 play-offs finals were the first to be played at Wembley Stadium.


1990 Football League play-offs, Background
The Football League play-offs have been held every year since 1987. They take place for each division following the conclusion of the regular season and are contested by the four clubs finishing below the automatic promotion places. For the first three seasons the final was played over two legs but this was changed to a single match at Wembley Stadium from 1990.