How does a country only three decades free of colonial rule end up humiliating the reigning world champions in the opening match? What happens when the last World Cup of the Cold War arrives just months after the Berlin Wall comes down? And can football ever really just be a game, when Roger Milla is dancing at a corner flag while an old world order quietly falls apart around him?

Cameroon stun the reigning champions, Gazza cries in the semi-final, and Nessun Dorma becomes the unlikely soundtrack to the end of an era — Peter and Afua go back to Italia '90.

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[0:00] Maradona, a fading empire, and a World Cup arriving as Europe's map redraws itself

[8:11] Cameroon walk out against the champions — and nobody gives them a hope in hell

[9:15] Roger Milla, at 38, becomes the tournament's most unlikely superstar

[17:04] Gary Lineker breaks Cameroonian hearts in the game of the tournament

[24:18] Gazza cries, and England fall for their most fragile genius

[26:40] Maradona, past his best, and the tragedy of peaking too soon

[31:29] Why football still fails the geniuses it creates

Stay connected with Legacy:

Instagram: @originallegacypodcast

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Explore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas:

Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com

Join Legacy+ for bonus episodes, early access, Q&A's, fewer adverts and more.

legacy.supportingcast.fm

Stay connected with Legacy:

Instagram: @originallegacypodcast

TikTok: @legacy_productions

Explore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com

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