WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Spotlight : THE DUKE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT BETTER

The British papers all took their hats off to the United States’ victory over Colombia, which finished after 2 a.m. Thursday in London.

“Having toiled in anonymity for years,” wrote Michael Hart in the London Evening Standard from Pasadena, “Tony Meola and the United States football team finally galloped into view with all the thunder and bravado that John Wayne once brought to the silver screen.

“Their 2-1 win over Colombia--tipped by many as potential winners--ranks among the great shocks in World Cup history and is a result as memorable as (the) U.S.A.’s 1-0 win over the mighty England team in 1950.

“In the short term, it almost certainly ensures (the) U.S.A.’s place in the second round and means Colombia’s continuing nightmare will probably end with an early return home.

“In the longer term, of course, it establishes U.S. credentials as an emerging football power, just as they are attempting to launch a new professional league.”