WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Argentina ‘Earns’ Rose Bowl Berth : Group D: Bulgaria scores 2-0 victory and finishes second in division. Argentines will face Romania.

Did Argentina win Thursday night by losing?

In the crazy and confusing world of World Cup seedings, it appears it did.

Playing without its legend, Diego Maradona, Argentina came out flat before 63,998 at the Cotton Bowl and was knocked down by desperate Bulgaria, 2-0, to force a change in travel plans for the second round.

Argentina, headed for a Tuesday matchup against dangerous Italy, went from first to third in Group D and now plays Romania on Sunday at the Rose Bowl.

Who wouldn’t prefer that scenario?

Nigeria won the group with a last-minute goal in a 2-0 victory over Greece and must face the Italians at Foxboro, Mass., on Tuesday. Bulgaria, fighting for a berth in the second round, finished second when Nasko Sirakov scored on a header in extra time. The Bulgarians play Mexico on Tuesday at East Rutherford, N.J.

But afterward, they simply wanted to savor their country’s second--and biggest--World Cup victory.

“We showed the world our generation of soccer players is one of the best right now,” said Hristo Stoichkov, who scored the game’s first goal in the 61st minute. “Bulgaria should be very proud of us.”

About 30,000 watched the game on four television screens in Sofia’s town square and were partying throughout the night, Bulgarian reporters said.

There was much to celebrate, considering Bulgaria entered this World Cup without a victory in five tournaments. But it broke the spell by defeating Greece, and looked inspired against Argentina, which earlier in the day learned that Maradona was banned for a positive drug test.

Midfielder Zlatko Iankov downplayed Maradona’s absence, saying: “Football is played with 11 players, not one.”

But Maradona, 33, is the soul of Argentine soccer and his team, although more skilled than Bulgaria, lacked drive and hunger Thursday night. No doubt the players were emotionally drained from the day’s proceedings.

“I couldn’t believe it was Argentina playing,” said Maradona, who watched the game from a hotel room.

Maradona said he wanted to cry for Argentina, but only in private.

Twice World Cup champions, Argentina also could not believe what transpired on a humid evening in Dallas. Bulgaria needed at least a tie to advance to the second round for only the second time.

Instead, it dominated play with a feisty defense that could cost them against Mexico because three starters will be lost to yellow cards.

Trifon Ivanov, Iankov and Tsanko Tzvetanov got their second yellow cards of the first round and drew automatic one-game suspensions.

Tzvetanov got both of his Thursday night and was ejected. But even the man advantage for the final 25 minutes did not help Argentina.

“After this defeat, it is very difficult for the team to recognize what really happened,” Fernando Redondo said. “There is nothing to say about it.”

Still, Coach Alfio Basile was talking.

“Their spirits were low,” he said. “Maradona does so much for us. He is our leader on the field. It’s a great impact not to have him. We all love him very much, but we have to go on.”

Argentina will not go far, even against Romania, if it does not correct its lackluster play.

It outshot Bulgaria, 20-10, but the players rarely had serious threats. Without Maradona to direct the offense from the midfield, Argentina stalled on the wings. And once Claudio Caniggia left the match in the 22nd minute complaining of an injury to his left big toe, the once-explosive offense staggered.

But give Bulgaria some of the credit.

“It’s easy when your players counterattack,” Iankov said.

Bulgaria’s first goal caught Argentina unaware after a failed corner kick left the Argentine defense on the offensive side of the field.

Stoichkov, one of the world’s best strikers, made a nice breakaway. He scored after getting a beautiful pass from Krasimir Balakov, putting the ball past hard-charging goalkeeper Luis Islas.

“I didn’t have time to think about it,” Stoichkov said. “Just kick it in.”

The second goal was much a surprise to the Bulgarians as to anyone watching. Sirakov leaped high in front of the net and headed in a corner kick.

But by then, it hardly mattered. Argentina was losing--a loss that might help it reach the World Cup championship.