On This Day – June 27: World Cup Drama, Zidane’s Brilliance, and Iconic Birthdays

Historic Football Events on June 27

1994 – Maradona Expelled from the World Cup Diego Maradona was removed from the 1994 FIFA World Cup after testing positive for ephedrine following Argentina’s 2-1 win over Nigeria. The news shocked the footballing world and marked the end of his international career.
1998 – Croatia Eliminates Romania to Reach Quarter-Finals Croatia defeated Romania 1-0 in the Round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup thanks to a Davor Šuker penalty. Croatia went on to finish third in their debut World Cup appearance.
2006 – France Sends Spain Home In the Round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup, France came from behind to defeat Spain 3-1. Zinedine Zidane scored and assisted in a performance that silenced critics and revived France’s campaign.
2010 – Paraguay Wins First World Cup Penalty Shootout Paraguay advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time by defeating Japan in a tense penalty shootout (5-3) after a 0-0 draw. It was a landmark moment for Paraguayan football.
2018 – Brazil and Switzerland Advance On the final day of Group E play at the 2018 World Cup, Brazil beat Serbia 2-0 while Switzerland drew 2-2 with Costa Rica. Both advanced to the Round of 16, with Brazil topping the group.
2021 – Italy Defeats Austria in Extra Time at Euro 2020 Italy needed extra time to overcome Austria 2-1 in the Round of 16 at Wembley. Goals from Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina secured the Azzurri’s progression in a hard-fought battle.

Raúl González (1977) – Legendary Spanish striker and Real Madrid icon, known for his leadership and goal-scoring record. One of the all-time greats in Champions League history.
Jordan Archer (1993) – Scottish goalkeeper with experience across the English leagues and a senior cap for Scotland.
Toni Kroos (1990) – German midfield maestro, World Cup winner in 2014, and a central figure in Real Madrid’s Champions League dominance.
Júlio César (1979) – Former Brazil and Inter Milan goalkeeper, key figure in Brazil’s 2009 Confederations Cup and Inter’s 2010 treble-winning season.
James Rodriguez (1991) – Colombian playmaker who won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup and starred for Monaco, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.
Sébastien Haller (1994) – Ivorian striker who overcame cancer and returned to lead Borussia Dortmund’s attack in 2023.

Maradona’s Fall (1994): Just as he was showing glimpses of his old magic, Maradona’s World Cup came to a dramatic halt. His exit overshadowed Argentina’s campaign and marked a tragic end to a storied international career.
Zidane’s Masterclass (2006): Written off before the tournament, Zidane rolled back the years with a commanding display against Spain, showing his class in what would be his final tournament as a player.
Paraguay’s Shootout Glory (2010): Known for their gritty defense, Paraguay held Japan for 120 minutes before holding their nerve in the shootout, reaching the last eight for the first time.

Who scored France’s third goal in their 3-1 victory over Spain at the 2006 World Cup?

Answer: Zinedine Zidane.