Sergio Goycochea

The substitute who became a legend by saving penalties when it mattered most.

Sergio Javier Goycochea is an Argentine former professional footballer born on 17 October 1963, best known for his heroic goalkeeping during the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Originally serving as a substitute to Nery Pumpido at both River Plate and with the national team, he seized his big break when Pumpido broke his leg against the Soviet Union in Argentina's second group game. Goycochea stepped in immediately and remained the starting goalkeeper for the remainder of the tournament, becoming the linchpin of a squad that reached the final.

Quick Facts

Full name: Sergio Javier Goycochea
Born: 17 October 1963
Height: 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in
Birthplace: Zárate, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position: Goalkeeper
Total caps: 226

Lore & Background

Goycochea's journey to stardom was defined by sudden opportunity and cold-blooded execution. After replacing the injured Pumpido, he delivered a clean sheet in the 1–0 Second Round victory over Brazil. The tension peaked in the knockout stages, where he saved penalties in both the quarter-final against Yugoslavia and the semi-final against hosts Italy. In the final against West Germany, the match remained tight until an 85th-minute penalty from Andreas Brehme, controversially awarded after Roberto Sensini brought down Rudi Völler; Goycochea was close to saving it but ultimately could not prevent the 1–0 loss.

Earlier in that same match, at the 58th minute, he was fortunate to avoid a penalty for blatantly tripping Klaus Augenthaler in the box. Despite the defeat, his performance earned him a spot on the Cup's All-Star Team. Reflecting on the tournament, he told FIFA: "To my mind, it was as if we were world champions again anyway."

Reader's Guide

For fans of Argentine football, Goycochea represents the ultimate comeback story. His career with the national team began as a backup but skyrocketed after the injury to Nery Pumpido. To understand his impact, look at the specific turning points: the clean sheet against Brazil in the Second Round, and the penalty saves against Yugoslavia and Italy in the knockout stages. He was named Footballer of the Year of Argentina in 1990 and selected for the World XI in 1991.

His accolades include two IFFHS Silver Balls (1991, 1993) for being the world's second-best goalkeeper and the Copa América Player of the Tournament award in 1993. Off the field, his surname Goycochea is derived from the Basque "Goikoetxea," meaning topmost house, earning him the nickname El Vasco, though he is also known as El Goyco. His legacy continues today as a football journalist hosting Elegante Sport on Argentina's Canal 7 and partnering with Diego Maradona at La Noche del 10.

Did You Know?

He appeared on TV commercials for a Pepsi promotion in Guayaquil during the 1993 Copa América.
In the 1990 final against West Germany, he narrowly avoided conceding a penalty for tripping Klaus Augenthaler in the 58th minute.