In 1990, Brazil and Argentina met in the first round of the knockout stage. Brazil were dominating the match, played in intense heat in Turin, until an Argentinian went down injured. During this interruption Branco - later to play in England with Middlesbrough - drank from a bottle supplied by Argentina's physio Miguel di Lorenzo.
Shortly afterwards, against the run of play, Claudio Caniggia scored the only goal of the game from a Diego Maradona pass, putting Argentina into the quarter-finals. Argentina went on to the final, where they lost to Germany.
Su ion of foul play was first raised two days later by Branco, who said he had felt dizzy and ill after drinking the water.