LOS ANGELES TIMES


PASADENA, California -- Soccer is cruel, fate is relentless and the most coveted championship in the world hinged on the caprice of a leather boot striking a leather ball on a chalk spot 11 meters from a goal.


The monthlong efforts of Brazil and Italy -- toiling in the twin caldrons of summer heat and passionate expectations of their enthralled nations -- came to the most dramatic, sudden, and, for Italy, heartbreaking conclusion Sunday afternoon in the Rose Bowl. The Brazilians won 3-2 on a penalty shootout, taking their fourth World Cup title.


After 90 scoreless minutes of regulation play and 30 scoreless minutes of overtime, the World Cup championship was decided by penalty kicks.


Italy, which had again and again in this tournament fought back from the brink, watched in horror as Franco Baresi, the oldest and most experienced player on the field, missed the first penalty shot. Minutes later a nation shuddered as the team's savior, the injured Roberto Baggio, sent his make-or-break shot high over the crossbar, soaring on the same arc as Brazil's cheers.


Brazilian Coach Carlos Albert Parreira, pilloried in his country for every decision he has made, was drained but jubilant after the game.


"I was like Frank Sinatra," he said. "I did it my way, I did it my way."


Many in the crowd of 94,194 in the Rose Bowl had chosen to become Brazil fans for a day, those arrayed in the national yellow and green swaying to the ever-present drumbeat. Those newly converted soccer acolytes saw a game dominated by defense in which the premier offensive players made negligible offerings in the face of smothering defense.


Italy played Brazil only slightly differently than the rest of the champion's opponents had. Where most teams pack the defense and look for a counterattack, Italy had vague notions about attacking on its own, but Brazil's underrated back line and Italy's depleted roster made successful forward runs impossible. Always overshadowed by the team's brilliant offense, few noticed that Brazil's defense had given up only three goals in the tournament.


Baggio, the world player of the year in 1993, was reduced by a hamstring strain to half-speed forays to get to space where, a week ago, he would have been dangerous.


Brazil, too, lost a key player to injury. Jorginho, the right back given the responsibility of bringing the ball up the wing, injured his thigh muscle early in the first half and was replaced by Cafu.


There were few chances in the tightly played first half, and Brazil had them, for the most part. The best came when Branco teed up a free kick that was punched out by Italian goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca at the near post. Mazinho rushed in for the rebound but topped the ball and did not get a clean shot at the open net.


Brazil had a dangerous chance again in the second half. Mauro Silva let loose a hard shot that Pagliuca saved and tried to gather while in a crouch. The ball bounced off his knee and spun toward the net. It bounced off the post and back into Pagliuca's arms.


Italy's only credible chance came late in the second half. Roberto Donadoni crossed the ball in from the right wing. Baggio's first touch controlled the ball and with his second he turned and shot. In an awful foreshadowing, Baggio's shot flew over the net.


The players gathered themselves for overtime that produced a few close calls but little else. Romario had a chance in front, but missed.


Having failed to score in overtime, the teams were sent, for the first time in a World Cup championship match, into a penalty kick shootout.


Before it began, Brazil's team had arranged itself into a circle and held hands, praying. "We really felt the hands of God on us," Brazilian goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel said.


As it happened, his were the divine hands, making a key save in the shootout, against all odds and the shooter's great advantage.


Baresi went first and shot high. The Italian captain sank to his knees at the mistake and Taffarel threw a comforting arm around Baresi as he left the goal for Pagliuca. The Italian keeper saved Marcio Santos' shot and suddenly everything was very, very tense.


Demetrio Albertini made his shot and Romario made his to draw even, 1-1. Alberigo Evani and Branco each made a left-footer to make it 2-2.


Daniele Massaro lined up and aimed right. Taffarel guessed as much and his save, in turn, saved Brazil. Dunga faked left and shot right to give Brazil a 3-2 lead before Baggio was to shoot.


Baggio carefully placed the ball and strode forward. His shot went higher and higher, over the bar and into the stands.


It was obvious that Baggio was not himself. After the miss, he was inconsolable and walked alone. Pagliuca rolled on the grass, as if in physical pain. Brazil's team stood in a yellow and green knot in the center of the field, draped in flags and basking in the cheers that rained down.


As Baggio had said before the game, hope is the last to die.