24 June 1990 - The Holy Water Scandal

On 24 June 1990, Argentina eliminated Brazil from the World Cup, allegedly through the use of a spiked water bottle.

Although Argentina were the defending champions, they had struggled through the group stage, finishing behind Cameroon and Romania, but advanced as the highest-ranked third-place finisher. Brazil, meanwhile, topped their group, winning all three matches.

They met in the first knockout round at Turin's Stadio Delle Alpi, where Brazilian defender Branco helped keep Diego Maradona in check. But during a pause in play, Branco drank from a water bottle handed to him by a member of the Argentinian staff. He later complained that he began feeling drowsy and was unable to keep up with Maradona, who completed a brilliant run with a pass to set up Claudio Caniggia (pictured) for the winning goal. Argentina eventually advanced all the way to the final, where they fell to West Germany 1-0.

Later, Maradona claimed that the water bottle Branco had been given was dosed with tranquilizers. Branco threatened to sue the Argentine Football Association, but they denied any knowledge of the event. Since dubbed the "holy water" scandal, it has added fuel to the already-intense rivalry between the two nations.

8 June 1990 - The Indomitable Lions Live Up To The Name

On 8 June 1990, Cameroon stunned Argentina in their opening match of the World Cup, beating the defending champions 1-0.

The Indomitable Lions had never won a World Cup match before, drawing all three games at their only previous tournament in 1982. In fact, no sub-Saharan African team had ever won a game at the tournament.

Few people would have predicted that to change when Cameroon took the field against Argentina at the San Siro in 1990, but they managed to contain the Argentinian attack, led by captain Diego Maradona, and played to a scoreless draw through the break. Their chances took a hit in the second half, however, when they lost midfielder André Kana-Biyik to a straight red card in the 61st minute.

Then, in the 67th minute, after a Cameroon free kick deflected high in the air in front Argentina's goal, allowing forward François Omam-Biyik to reach it and head it forward. Keeper Nery Pumpido got a hand to it, but could not corral the ball, which rolled over the line to put Cameroon up 1-0. Argentina pressed for an equalizer, but could not find it, even after Cameroon defender Benjamin Massing was ejected in the 89th-minute, bringing the Lions down to nine men.

Cameroon went on to win the group and advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to England 3-2 after extra time. Argentina advanced too, though, and reached the final where they lost to West Germany, 1-0.

4 July 1990 - England Pays The Penalty Against West Germany

On 4 July 1990, England suffered a tearful exit from the World Cup with two missed penalties against West Germany in a semifinal shootout.

Playing before a crowd of 62,628 at Turin's Stadio delle Alpi, West Germany took a second-half lead with a goal from left back Andreas Brehme (60'), but England forward Gary Lineker scored an 80th-minute equalizer to send the match into extra time. 

The Three Lions had already had their share of late heroics, including extra-time victories over Belgium and Cameroon in their two previous matches, but they could not find one against West Germany. With neither team scoring in the extra period, the match went to penalties.

After both sides scored on their first three attempts, left back Stuart Pearce sent a low ball down the middle, where it was saved by German keeper Bodo Illgner. Olaf Thon scored to put West Germany up 4-2, then midfielder Chris Waddle stepped up to the spot for England and sent his shot over the bar to end the shootout.

Despite the dramatic finish, the match is widely remembered for the booking of England midfielder Paul Gascoigne (pictured) in the 99th minute. He had received an earlier yellow card in the match against Belgium, so the caution against West Germany meant that he would miss the Final if England advanced. The television cameras showed him visibly distraught with tears in his eyes, which became an iconic image of the tournament.

West Germany went on to win the Final against Argentina to claim their third World Cup trophy.