1990 FIFA World Cup Qualification Play-off

Israel reached the intercontinental play-off after finishing first in the Oceania qualifying group, ahead of Australia and New Zealand. The team’s route through that group included away draws of 2–2 against New Zealand and 1–1 against Australia. The 1–1 draw in Sydney secured Israel’s place in the play-off, with Eli Ohana scoring for Israel. A retrospective account says Israel won only its opening match during the six-match qualifying campaign.[1][2]

Israel’s placement in the Oceania zone reflected the unusual circumstances of its international football participation. Encyclopaedia Judaica attributes the arrangement to an Asian boycott and UEFA’s refusal, at the time, to admit Israel to the European qualifying zone.[3] The team had appeared in the World Cup finals once before, in 1970, when it drew with Sweden and Italy, lost to Uruguay, and was eliminated.[4] The 1989 tie against Colombia was described as Israel’s closest attempt to qualify again.[3]

Colombia, meanwhile, was seeking a return to the World Cup finals. It was among the participating nations at Italia 1990, and its victory in the play-off ended a 28-year absence from the tournament.[5][6]

The two-match tie pitted Israel, coached by Yitzhak Shneor and Yaakov Grundman, against a Colombian side coached by Francisco Maturana. Colombia’s squad included Carlos Valderrama, goalkeeper René Higuita, and striker Arnoldo Iguarán.[7] Before the first leg, Israel held a two-week training camp in Miami, selected because its seasonal weather was considered similar to Barranquilla’s. Colombian journalists traveled there to assess a team they knew little about; one retrospective also describes close security for the Israeli delegation during its stay and travel in Colombia.[7]

The opening match took place in Barranquilla on 15 October 1989, where the hot, humid Caribbean climate was regarded as an advantage for the hosts. Colombia won 1–0, with Albeiro Usuriaga scoring in the 74th minute.[7] Israeli goalkeeper Bonni Ginzburg was singled out for his performance, including a first-half save from Bernardo Redín. The retrospective reports that hundreds of Colombians gathered outside Israel’s hotel after the match and applauded Ginzburg.[7]

The return leg was played in Ramat Gan on 30 October 1989. Israel needed to overturn the one-goal deficit, but the match ended 0–0, sending Colombia to the World Cup.[3][8] Israel controlled much of the game and created several chances; Roni Rosenthal missed a clear opportunity in the 89th minute.[7] Accounts differ on attendance: Walla Sport reported 50,000, while a ynet report gave 45,000.[8][6]

The aggregate result sent Colombia to Italia 1990 and left Israel short of a second appearance in the World Cup finals. Colombia’s qualification marked its return to the tournament after 28 years.[6]

Later retrospectives have framed the play-off as one of the defining near-misses in Israeli football. It has been described as Israel’s closest attempt to return to the World Cup after 1970.[3] A 2009 account emphasized Bonni Ginzburg’s performance in Barranquilla and Roni Rosenthal’s missed chance in the 89th minute in Ramat Gan.[7]

Colombian memory has likewise emphasized the tie’s significance. In 2010, Carlos Valderrama called the return match the most important moment of his career because it opened Colombia’s path back to the World Cup after 28 years.[6] Ambassador Gali Dagan later said, “After the match, Colombia won the heart of the Israeli public.”[9]

A 2023 documentary produced by the Israeli Embassy in Colombia brought together former players and staff from both teams, and presented the match as an opportunity for the two countries to learn about one another’s identities and cultures.[9]