Ireland V Italy at World Cup 1990 - Match Report

Paul McGrath Playing
Against Italy in Rome

Ireland had qualified for a quarter final showdown against the host nation Italy at the 1990 World cup without winning a match in regulation time. Indeed the Irish had only scored two goals in their four matches to date and had made the quarter final courtesy of a penalty shoot-out against the unlucky Romanians. As usual, Italy were one of the pre-tournament favourites to win the World Cup and with Italy having the benefit of home advantage not many people gave Ireland a chance.

As usual the Irish relished the underdog tag and went into the match with their confidence buoyed by the knowledge that they were very difficult to beat. At Italia 90 they had not buckled when faced with the greater talents of England, the Netherlands, and - to a lesser extent - Romania. Irish football manager Jack Charlton also knew that even if his team conceded an early goal they would not fold. Ireland had fought back to earn spirited draws against both England and Holland despite the early concession of a goal in each match.

Ireland in the Quarter Finals at Italia 90

The date was the 30th June 1990 and the venue was the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. There were 73,303 in the stadium that evening and it is estimated that 15,000 of them were Irish and they certainly made their presence felt.

In what was the best footballing performance by the Irish players at Italia 90 they matched their illustrious opponents for skill and endeavour. Andy Townsend even had the temerity to dispossess the great Franco Baresi and leave him sitting on his backside. Ireland even had a chance to take the lead and would have done if Niall Quinn had managed to get more power into an early header on goal.

As the first half wore on the Italians strengthened their grip on the game and after 38 minutes disaster struck

The great Irish adventure at Italia 90 had come to an end at last. The management team, the players, and the fans had done themselves proud and had exceeded all expectations. A poignant image that lingers is that of Jack Charlton walking around the Stadio Olimpico carrying an Irish tricolour and acknowledging the truly inspiring Irish fans that had provided unbelievable support for his Irish team. But if Charlton thought that was the end of it he was pleasantly surprised by the extent of the rapturous welcome home that he and his team received when they got back to Ireland. It is estimated that as many as 500,000 lined the streets to give the boys in green a heroes welcome home.

Team Line Ups

Republic of Ireland: Packie Bonner, Chris Morris, Steve Staunton, Mick McCarthy (capt), Kevin Moran, Paul McGrath, Ray Houghton, Kevin Sheedy, Andy Townsend, John Aldridge (John Sheridan 78'), Niall Quinn (Tony Cascarino 54').
Irish Football Manager: Jack Charlton Goals: None Booked: Moran 43'

Italy: Walter Zenga, Franco Baresi, Giuseppe Bergomi, Luigi De Agostini, Riccardo Ferri, Paolo Maldini, Fernando De Napoli, Giuseppe Giannini (-64), Roberto Donadoni, Roberto Baggio (-72), Salvatore Schillaci
Italian Football Manager: Azeglio Vicini Goals: 'Toto' Schillaci 38' Booked: De Agostini 36'

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Romeo, Date: 30th June 1990 Attendance: 73,303 Referee: Carlos Silva Valente from Portugal

Result: Italy 1 - 0 Ireland

Ireland & 1990 World Cup Finals - Irish Squad World Cup 1990
Ireland V England 1990 - Ireland V Egypt 1990 - Ireland V Holland 1990
Ireland V Romania 1990 - Ireland V Italy 1990
Ireland & 1994 World Cup Finals - Irish Squad World Cup 1994
Ireland V Italy 1994 - Ireland V Mexico 1994 - Ireland V Norway 1994 - Ireland V Netherlands 1994
Ireland & 2002 World Cup Finals - 2002 World Cup Irish Squad - 2002 World Cup Irish Group Matches
Ireland V Cameroon 2002 - Ireland V Germany 2002 - Ireland V Saudi Arabia 2002 - Ireland V Spain 2002

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