ESPN 30 for 30 | The Two Escobars

The forever infamous own goal occurred on the 22^nd of June, during a match against the United States at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. While attempting to redirect a cross, Escobar unfortunately found the back of his own net and the USA would go on to win the match 2–1. This incident was one of the factors that led to Colombia early elimination from the tournament. Parallel to this disastrous campaign at the World Cup the country of Colombia was falling apart on itself. The drug wars were beginning to crumble the country and the search of Pablo Escobar lead to rival cartels feuding for power. Escobar was ultimately forced into hiding and is later shot and killed by Colombian officials.

The Gallón brothers (rival drug cartel to Pablo Escobar) were held accountable for the shooting death of national footballing icon Andrés Escobar and it is suggested in the documentary that had Pablo Escobar still been alive (he had earlier been shot and killed by Colombian Law Enforcement) Andrés Escobar would not have been targeted and killed. It is known that Pablo Escobar was a passionate supporter of the Colombian national football team and a friend to many of the players on the national squad. Escobar had also personally funded the construction of many of the football fields in the poorer regions of Medellín. In addition he had indirectly funded many of the costs associated with training the Colombian national team players. The players visited him in his prison compound prior to beginning their 1994 World Cup qualifying run.

Ultimately this documentary highlights the parallels of an unfortunate and untimely death of a footballing icon with that of the ruthless state of affairs that was brought upon by drug money and rival cartels yearning for power. The Colombian national team is presently ranked 4^th in the world by FIFA leading up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.