I think I remember the goal against Nigeria. Wasn't that the one where he was coming in at that really sharp angle? The television replay shows him looking up at goal just before the shot for just a fraction of a second - that's all he needed - and then slipping it into the near post. I remember thinking at the time it was like watching a master sniper at work.
Such an amazing player. It's really a shame that it ended up the way it did because by all rights that should have been "his" world cup.
Actually you are citing the winning goal against Spain. The goal in regulation against Nigeria was at the top of the box about 20 yards out. Baggio got the ball and ever so quietly, just paused for a second as he measured his strike. He then almost pushed it to the left corner of the net way passed the keeper.
The ball Baggio scored on against Spain in the quarterfinal was on a long pass from Signori at midfield. Signori got a high ball and in one motion just turned and volleyed it down the right wing almost blindly not knowing where anyone might be.
Baggio saw it coming and started down the right side and landed up beating the Spanish defender to the ball but the pace pushed him almost completely near the goal line. Baggio turned just at the latest moment with the defender clsoing on him and shot to goal and beat the keeper. There was only minutes left.
Later Baggion would recount that when he got to the ball and shot, he had closed his eyes and prayed he was on target. The Spanish defender was so distraught that he lay still on the ground for a couple of minutes after the goal knowing Spain had just been slain.
After the game, I could only console the Spanish fans who were very nice outside the stadium. I told them they had nothing to be ashamed about and really, they controlled most of the game.
There was also a kid sitting in front of me who slammed Baggio the whole game. I really hated that kid and he heard my roar when Baggio scored, let me tell you.
(I was sitting in the second row about the penalty spot on the Spanish side the second half.)