Viking_Yearbook_95

o 1 d C Courtesy ofAssociated Press w r u p B razil's offense got all the attention beforehand, but its defense wound up stopping Italy -- and winning the World Cup, soccer's ultimate prize. Diving to his left, Brazilian goal keeper Claudio Taffarel knocked out Daniele Massaro's shot in the penalty kick tiebreaker to set the stage for Brazil's victory. "Penalty kicks are a lottery," said the goalie. "It doesn't show which team is better. You guess right, and it looks easy." Taffarel was merely the anchor of a defense that held Italy scoreless for 90 minutes of regulation play and 30 in overtime. Ultimately it was team defense that gave Brazil its forth world title. Taffarel said he wasn't the hero: "All 11 players are." Brazil's unsung back line, hobbled by injuries, came through when offensive stars Romario and Bebeto couldn't put the ball in the net. "Defense won this game," Aldair, one of the new heroes, said after the match. "Maybe this will earn Brazilian defenders some recognition." It already had. Courtesy ofAssociated Press 21