WORLD CUP USA 1994 : Exciting Game Can’t Erase Sadness Over Fallen Stars : Crowd: Fans at the Rose Bowl matchup of Romania and Argentina react to the slaying of a Colombian player and the banning of an Argentine star.

Despite the frenzied play in what some called the most exciting game yet of World Cup ‘94, much of the emotional energy was focused on two of soccer’s fallen heroes Sunday, as Romania scored a 3-2 victory over Argentina at the Rose Bowl.

Beneath the cheers, there was shock and sadness: at the murder of Colombian defenseman Andres Escobar, shot and killed Saturday in his native city of Medellin, apparently in revenge for the accidental goal he scored that contributed to his team’s loss to the United States at the Rose Bowl, and for veteran Argentine star Diego Maradona, banned from the World Cup competition last week after failing a drug test.

“It’s the saddest thing I’ve heard about Colombia since I came here five years ago,” said Nicholas Paez, 30, a Colombian immigrant who now lives here, referring to Escobar’s violent death. “When I heard the news, I was about to cry.”

Although their own team was on the field, Argentine fans among the crowd of 90,000 at the Rose Bowl found their attention diverted elsewhere--with occasional sightings of Maradona also watching the game from the stands causing as much frenzy as the game.

At halftime, after spotting him in a section of the stands beneath the press box, thousands of fans leaped to their feet and trained their binoculars on the soccer idol.

Throughout the contest, fans hefted blue and white Argentina banners with the words “Viva Maradona!” Another massive banner went so far as to thank Maradona’s mother for giving birth to him.

The stocky, black-haired star, once regarded as the world’s best soccer player and the undisputed leader of the Argentine team, watched his teammates from a seat high in the stands, wearing a bright, jungle-print shirt and surrounded by a phalanx of security guards.

“You have your Magic Johnson; we have our Magic Maradona,” said Eduardo Fevres, 24, of Buenos Aires, who was adorned in a blue and white wig and soccer outfit. Down his back streamed a cape made out of Argentina’s flag with the words “Magic Diego” stenciled on it.

For Colombians, already disappointed at their team’s elimination from the World Cup, Escobar’s assassination was a particularly bitter pill.

“This really doesn’t give Colombia a very good name,” said Arturo Villegas, a Colombian native who lives here. “ A lot of people say that they are going to kill someone, but it never happened until now.”

On Sunday, in honor of Escobar, many Colombians taped black slashes over their country’s emblem on their caps and T-shirts. Some hoisted flags bearing Escobar’s name crossed out with black tape.

“This has ruined the World Cup for us,” said Marco Sierra, 35, of Pasadena. “It’s a tragedy that this happened. Nobody’s life is worth a game.”

Still, in the absence of Marodona and Escobar, the overwhelmingly pro-Argentine crowd managed to stay upbeat, banging drums, shaking tambourines, rattling maracas, honking bullhorns and waving banners high in the air.

Orlando Martinoli, 36, of Northridge came with a group of fellow Argentine immigrants from the San Fernando Valley, all dressed head to toe in blue and white. He brought as a good-luck token the soccer jersey that he wore to the ’86 World Cup finals in Mexico, which Argentina won.

The small, badly faded jersey, autographed by the ’86 champions, was stained and foul-smelling. “I haven’t washed it since 1986,” Martinoli said, waving it over his head. “I brought it for good luck.”

His brother, Daniel Martinoli, 32, of Northridge, said that everyone was disappointed at Maradona’s suspension.

“Drugs or no drugs, he’s the best. He can play with one leg,” he said. “Everybody loses today, because they’re not getting to see the best player in the world.”

Toward the end of the game Maradona was spotted leaving the stands. The crowd chanted “Diego! Diego!” as he walked past, looking straight ahead.

“I’m excited to see him,” said Emilo Vivot, 10, of Monrovia, as his grandmother hugged him excitedly and pointed out the soccer star.

Times staff writer Ron Russell contributed to this story.