This article will tell you about how Andres Escobar got him killed just because of an own goal
We’ve heard of folks acting as if their lives relied on it. But can you fathom losing your life because you failed on the huge stage?
For Andres Escobar, it was not a fantasy, but a brutal reality. A promising young life cut soon at the age of 27, all because he scored for the wrong team by accident.
What Happened In The Match Between USA And Colombia In 1994 FIFA World Cup?
Escobar was a member of Colombia’s squad for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The catastrophic incident that launched Escobar on the path that would eventually lead to his death occurred during their second encounter versus the hosts.
US midfielder John Harkes sent a cross across goal, which Escabor intercepted. But his timing was awry, not on purpose, as he was only human at the end of the day. He ended up diverting the ball into his own net, resulting in an American goal.
The United States won the game 2-1, and Escobar was not the most popular person in the country. While one may understand the fans’ fury, no one expected murder to be involved.
How Was Andres Escobar Killed?
He returned home after his team was eliminated from the tournament and was roaming the streets after a night out with some pals. He was alone in his automobile early the next morning when three males approached him.
After an argument, two of them pulled out pistols and shot him six times. According to reports, the killer yelled ‘Goal!’ whenever he shot Escobar. They abandoned him to bleed to death. He was sent to the hospital, but he died 45 minutes later.
His funeral was attended by around 120,000 people. Medellin, his birthplace, dedicated a statue to him in 2002.
What Happened To The Killer
Humberto Castro Munoz, a bodyguard for members of a renowned Colombian drug cartel, confessed to the murder and was found guilty.
He drove for Santiago Gallon, a man who had supposedly lost a lot of money as a result of the game’s outcome, which was influenced by his own goal.
Also Read: Top 10 Highest Goal Scorers Of All-Time
Munoz was sentenced to 43 years in jail in 1995, but his term was eventually reduced to 26 years after he submitted to the ruling penal code in 2001. He was freed for good behavior in 2005, after serving about 11 years of his sentence. None of the other men were found guilty.
