In 1994, Italy made a run to the World Cup final with the team managing to shut down a tough Brazilian side and force penalties. But the story would slowly unravel when one major Italian star missed a decisive penalty. Roberto Baggio will likely be remembered for that woeful moment. However, he had been the main reason why the team had made it that far. Here is how Baggio's tournament unfolded prior to that fateful moment.

Baggio entered the tournament as the key star in Italy's attack. He had participated in the tournament four years earlier on home soil and had been a major reason for the nation's third place finish.

However, things did not get off to a roaring start for the superstar. He had been suffering from a nagging injury heading into the tournament and was relatively invisible in Italy's 1-0 loss against Ireland. Things were no better in the second game against Norway as he was subbed off after goalie Gianluca Pagliuca was sent off. In the third game, Baggio continued to struggle in the final group game against Mexico. Fortunately, the Italians managed to get out of the group stage.

In the round of 16 against Nigeria, Baggio became the hero as he scored a huge goal in the 88th minute to tie up what had been a 1-0 game in favor of the African side. That goal was an impressive one-timed strike from the edge of the box that flew into the corner of the net. The second goal was a huge penalty strike that won the game for Italy in extra time.

Italy's Roberto Baggio vs Nigeria - USA 1994 World Cup Round-of-16

But Baggio would only get better as the tournament developed. His next big strike came in the quarterfinals against Spain. The Italian would get a breakaway against Spanish keeper Andoni Zubizarretta. Baggio rounded the keeper and slid the ball into the empty net to win the game for Italy with just three minutes to go in the game.

Italy vs Spain - USA 1994 World Cup Quarterfinals

But the best was to come in the semifinals against Bulgaria. On the first goal, Baggio got the ball off a throw in and dribbled past two defenders before firing the shot just outside the box. He managed to curve it into the far side to give his team a 1-0 lead. Four minutes later he would get a break down the right side and fired a shot at the far post to give Italy a 2-0 lead; the team would go on to win it 2-1.

Italy vs Bulgaria - USA 1994 World Cup Semifinals
 

Then came the final. He had sustained a hamstring injury in the semifinal and was not at his best in the most important game of his career. With Brazil leading 3-2 in the penalty shootout, he got a chance to be Italy's fifth striker and was forced to score. But he choked and fired the ball over the net. That moment will forever cloud everything else that the Italian striker ever did before and thereafter. He would get another chance in the 1998 World Cup and scored two goals. But his status as a hero could not be recovered.

Unlike most other stories of World Cup glory, Baggio's is one of athletic tragedy. It is the story of a man who went from being a nation's hero, to its scapegoat.

Italy vs Brazil - USA 1994 World Cup Finals