Group E of the 1994 FIFA World Cup was one of six groups of four teams competing at the
1994 World Cup in the
United States. The first match was played June 18, 1994 and the final games took place simultaneously on June 28, 1994.
The group consisted of
Italy,
Republic of Ireland,
Mexico, and
Norway. Mexico won the group on goals scored. Ireland and Italy also progressed to the knockout rounds, having finished with identical records and the Irish team qualifying in second place as a result of their victory against the Italians. The Italians qualified as one of the best-scoring third place teams. Norway's shortcomings in attack ultimately let them down, and they exited the tournament with only one goal. It is the only group in World Cup history in which all four teams finished with the same number of points and goal difference.
The only goal of the game was scored by
Kjetil Rekdal in the 85th minute when the referee let the game continue after a foul on
Jan Åge Fjørtoft close to the Mexican penalty area. The goalscorer entered the game minutes before the decisive strike.[3]