On this Day: The Irish beat the Italians in the Giants Stadium

On this day 25 years ago, Ray Houghton delivered another piece of magic as Ireland would record their first ever victory in the World Cup. Walking out onto the hallowed turf of Giants Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey, the boys in green felt like giants as they were about to face a familiar foe in front of over 75,000 fans. It could have easily been a home game in Lansdowne Road, large amounts of supporters had made the journey over to America, as a sea of green greeted the Irish team as Amhran Na Bhfiann was echoed around the stadium.

Italy were Ireland’s opponents on that day, the memory of Salvatore “Toto” Schillaci’s goal in the quarter final of Italia 90, still burning in the minds of the Irish players and management. The Italians were red hot favourites going into the game but the jubilation was to be short lived, just 12 minutes into the game, the experienced  and tireless working centre half Franco Baresi failed to clear the danger as Tommy Coyne was putting severe pressure on the Italian captain, the poorly timed header found its way to Ray Houghton, who managed to pounce onto the loose ball in a lapse of concentration from the Italians, before sending his left footed shot over the head of Italian keeper Gianluca Pagliuca.

Despite Jack Charlton questioning how much Houghton had left to give the side going forward, the 32 year old midfielder provided not only another contender for the greatest moment in our national team’s history, but also a celebration that has been immortalised from that famous day.

The nerves set in numerous times once you score early, the next step is to either do the best you can defensively and shut up shop or try and score another goal, in the second half the Italians were pressing to get an equaliser, Roberto Baggio the main offensive threat for the Italians was running the show from midfield as he was to be their creative catalyst. The defensive work from Roy Keane was to be credited as he snuffed out the danger from a Paolo Maldini effort on goal, moments later Giuseppe Signori tried to make an opening for the Italians, but his shot cannoned off the defensive frame of Paul McGrath.

While the weather was warm, McGrath was as cool as ever all game and showcased one of the greatest performances ever from an Irish defender, his vigilance to spot any danger and snuff out the chances from the Italians was to be a master class in the defensive work rate, and despite also being 34 years of age, he was showing his class ahead of his counterpart Baresi.

McGrath lead by example to keep the score line reading 1-0 in favour of the Boys in Green, through last ditch tackles, towering headers and throwing his body in the way to stop the onslaught at all cost. McGrath’s standout moment in the green shirt on that day came midway through the second half, where he would make a number of tackles in quick succession, before he would take a fierce shot from Roberto Baggio straight to the face, this didn’t seem to faze him too much however, as he was back on his feet shortly after.

Ireland played like a team that day, with Giants Stadium showcasing the Irish footballing giants of Ray Houghton and Paul McGrath to name just a few stand out performers on that day, from 1 to 11, they defended like a team and overall they played like one, the sea of tricolours spurring the Boys in Green on to one of the most famous upsets in the history of the World Cup.

 

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