What happened to the Colombian soccer player killed 20 years ago?
BOGOTA, Colombia – The murder of a Colombian soccer player 20 years ago Wednesday after he accidentally scored a goal for the other side and helped eliminate his team from the World Cup stands in stark contrast to the national squad's celebrated success this time around. It also demonstrates what a different country Colombia has become.
What happened to Colombia's goalkeeper's brother?
Back home in Medellin, in response to the loss, that replacement goalkeeper's brother was murdered. Which sets the stage for the June 22nd showdown with the United States—a team Colombia ran the table against in countless friendlies during the years leading up to the '94 Cup.
What was the name of the Colombian player who scored his own goal?
Escobar's own goal occurred in a match against the United States on June 22, in the second match for Colombia at the 1994 World Cup. Stretching to block a cross from American midfielder John Harkes, he inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net.
Who did Colombia play against in the 1990 World Cup?
Colombia won 1–0 on aggregate and qualified for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Escobar played all the matches during the World Cup. The team reached the Round of 16 where it was eliminated with a 2–1 defeat against Cameroon .
Where did the murder of a soccer player after own goal happen?
Murder of soccer player after own-goal 20 years ago still resonates in Colombia. FILE - In this June 22, 1994, file photo, Colombia 's Andres Escobar, lies on the ground and watches a shot by America's Eric Wynalda miss the Colombian goal, during the World Cup match, in the Rose Bowl, Pasadena.
What was the impact of the Escobar murder on Colombia?
And the investigation of Escobar's murder reinforced the perception of impunity.
Why did Humberto Munoz Castro leave prison?
While triggerman Humberto Munoz Castro was sentenced to 42 years in prison, he refused to implicate his bosses who were with him at the time. He left prison after 11 years for good behavior. To this day, Yepes wonders why his superiors archived the case against the bosses, the brothers Santiago and Pedron Gallon.
How many times did Munoz shoot Escobar?
Munoz, the driver of Gallon's vehicle, got out of vehicle and shot Escobar six times. Video from a security camera in the parking lot show Munoz shooting Escobar. Twenty years later, the Medellin and Cali drug cartels have been dismantled. Paramilitary groups demobilized in 2006.
How many times was Escobar shot?
The Unites States defeated Colombia by two goals to one. Escobar was shot six times by a man employed by two drug traffickers, who had been complaining to him about his blunder 10 days earlier in Los Angeles.
Who shot Escobar six times?
Yepes said Escobar asked them why they were bothering him, and Santiago Gallon told the soccer player from his car that "he didn't know who he was messing with.". Munoz, the driver of Gallon's vehicle, got out of vehicle and shot Escobar six times.
Is Colombia in the World Cup?
And the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia is negotiating peace with the government. During the current World Cup tournament, Colombians have become enthralled again by their team, which has reached the quarterfinals for the first time ever and faces host Brazil on Friday.
Overview
Andrés Escobar Saldarriaga was a Colombian footballer who played as a defender. He played for Atlético Nacional, BSC Young Boys, and the Colombia national team. Nicknamed The Gentleman, he was known for his clean style of play and calmness on the pitch.
On July 2, 1994, Escobar was murdered in the aftermath of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, reportedly as retaliation for having scored an own goal which contributed to the team's elimination from the to…
Early life
Escobar was born in Medellín on 13 March 1967. He grew up in a middle-class family. He attended Colegio Calasanz and graduated from Instituto Conrado González. He participated in school football teams before becoming a professional football player.
His father is Darío Escobar, a banker who founded an organisation that gives young people the opportunity to play football instead of being on the streets. His brother, Santiago, is a former foo…
Career
Escobar was a defender throughout his career. His jersey number was 2, and he was known by the nicknames "El Caballero del Fútbol" ("The Gentleman of Football") and "The Immortal Number 2". In his club career, he played for Colombian club Atlético Nacional and Swiss club Young Boys. He helped Nacional to win the 1989 Copa Libertadores.
Prior to the 1994 World Cup, Escobar was reported to have been offered a contract by A.C. Milan.
Own goal incident and subsequent murder
Escobar's own goal occurred in Colombia's second group match against the United States during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Stretching to block a cross from American midfielder John Harkes, he inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net. The United States took a 1–0 lead and ended up winning 2–1.
After the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Escobar decided to return to Colombia instead of visiting relative…
Legacy
Escobar's murder tarnished the image of Colombia internationally. Escobar himself had worked to promote a more positive image of Colombia, earning acclaim within the country.
Escobar is still held in high regard by Colombian fans, and is especially mourned and remembered by Atlético Nacional's fans. In a newspaper column published shortly before his killing, he said of Colombia's World Cup: "It’s been a most amazing and rare experience. We’ll see each other agai…
In popular culture
Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu, a 2019 Indian Malayalam film was dedicated to Andrés Escobar. The movie, though unrelated to Escobar's life, covers his career briefly and his famous own goal incident and death. It includes a tribute to the Colombian legend in the beginning of the film. Malayalam television actor Austin Dan plays Andrés Escobar (a fictional character) based on him.
In 2010, a documentary film titled The Two Escobars was released as a part of ESPN's 30 for 30 d…
Personal life
Prior to his death, Escobar was engaged to his girlfriend for five years, a dentist named Pamela Cascardo. They would have been married later in 1994. Escobar was a devout Catholic and would go to Mass every day before school with his mother until her death at the age of 52.
Honours
Atlético Nacional
• Primera A: 1991
Runner-up: 1988, 1990, 1992
• Copa Interamericana: 1989
• Copa Libertadores: 1989