South America has provided football with its greatest icons but also suffered terrible tragedy; Chapecoense, Flamengo and the murder of Colombia's Andres Escobar for his 'crime' of scoring a World Cup own goal.

Younger readers may not be aware of the massive impact Escobar's shooting had on the global game in 1994 but the story will resonate strongly at the Copa America currently taking place in Brazil, in which Colombia began with an impressive 2-0 victory against Argentina and booked their last-eight spot by beating Qatar.

Indeed, the only exposure to Colombia's problems of the past for some has been Narcos. Even in the context of the popular Netflix show, the details of Escobar death still seem scarcely believable.

Colombia, a nation torn apart by drugs wars, looked to its footballers to restore national honour going into the '94 World Cup in America.

No less a figure than Pele tipped them to win it after a 5-0 qualification win in Buenos Aires inspired by creative talents Faustino Asprilla and the bushy-haired Carlos Valderrama.

Instead, the tournament turned into a disaster. Colombia lost their opening match 3-1 to Romania and, 25 years ago on Saturday, a 2-1 defeat against hosts USA confirmed an early exit. The first was inadvertently scored by Escobar, stretching to make an interception but turning it past his own goalkeeper, Oscar Cordoba.

The reaction in Colombia was severe with the added twist that criminal gangs had lost serious amounts of money gambling on success. Given that cities like Cali and Medellin had the highest murder rates in the world at that time due to the narcotics industry, it was a toxic mix.

Back home in Medellin, Escobar's friends urged him to stay in until the furore had settled but he argued: 'I must show my face to my people.'

It proved a fatal move in a place that experienced 80 killings a week. He went to a nightclub and was baited about his own goal. He decided to leave for the car park in order to drive home but as he prepared to drive away another argument ensued and he was was shot six times by two men with handguns. It is alleged they shouted 'Gooool' before pulling the triggers. A cartel bodyguard, Humberto Munoz, later confessed to the murder but served only 11 years of a 43-year sentence.

The tragedy plunged Colombia to new depths. 'Crying, crying, crying,' is how Valderrama summed up the national mood.

Humberto Munoz confessed and served 11 years of a 43-year sentence for the shooting

Andres Escobar, one of the two Escobar that is forever remembered. The other being Pablo Escobar.

Good reminder for kids here

Rest on Esco

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Nigerians suppos catapult Yakubu Aiyegbeni that year...

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