They say that good things come to those who wait, and Republic of
Ireland's FIFA World Cup quest was nothing if not an exercise in
patience. No fewer than 13 editions came and went without an invite to
football's biggest party, and by 1989 the Irish were wondering if they
were cursed never to qualify at all.
A stuttering start to their Italy 1990 preliminary campaign did little
to dispel such worries. With three games played, the Republic had
accrued just two points and, worse still, were welcoming to Lansdowne
Road a Spain side with five wins from as many matches. Yet in Jack
Charlton, a former FIFA World Cup winner with England, the Irish
possessed a manager who inspired belief; someone who had proved in
leading the team to its first-ever major tournament at the 1988 UEFA
European Championship that he could make good on his promises. The
stage was set for a classic.
The summary
26 April 1989, Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Spain
Scorer: Michel o.g. 16
Republic of Ireland: Bonner; Hughton, McCarthy, Moran, Staunton; Houghton, McGrath, Whelan, Sheedy; Stapleton (Townsend 67), Cascarino
Spain: Zubizarreta; Quique (Eusebio 69), Gorriz,
Sanchis, Serna; Jimenez, Michel, Roberto, Martin Vazquez; Manolo,
Butragueno (Salinas 69)
The stakes
"Our margin for error was zero." That was how Charlton remembered the
challenge of facing a side that, just a few months earlier, had taught
his side a harsh football lesson in Seville. Supporters had pelted the
Republic of Ireland coach with oranges that November evening, but the
barrage of local fruit was the least of his worries as the visitors
found themselves outclassed in just their second qualifier. The
Republic were flattered by a 2-0 scoreline that, by Charlton's own
admission, disguised "one of the heaviest drubbings we'd ever had".
There were, however, mitigating factors, most notably the absence of
key quartet Paul McGrath, Ronnie Whelan, Kevin Sheedy and Ray Houghton.
All four came back into contention for the return meeting, but with the
game taking place against the tragic backdrop of the Hillsborough
disaster, Liverpool striker John Aldridge was given compassionate
leave. Nevertheless, although the personnel issues were complicated,
the team's task was simple: only a win would do.
The story
After a poignant minute's silence to honour Hillsborough's
victims, the action began at a frenetic pace. Roared on by a
50,000-strong crowd, the Irish tirelessly pressurised their visitors
from the first whistle and, within 16 minutes, were rewarded for their
efforts.
Ray Houghton was the goal's architect, driving over a cross that Frank
Stapleton was primed to convert when Michel, in his attempts to clear,
stuck out a leg and diverted the ball into his own net. Spain attempted
to salvage a point, but with the Lansdowne Road pitch hindering their
traditional passing approach and Republic keeper Pat Bonner in defiant
form, Luis Suarez's side were to leave empty-handed.
The star
Michel might have emerged as the reluctant match-winner, but it was
later said that Frank Stapleton - lauded by Charlton as "one of the
great warriors of Irish football" - had done most to ensure a home win.
The 32-year-old Le Havre striker would not even have been playing had
Aldridge been available, but he thrived in a crucial role that entailed
dropping back into midfield when Spain were in possession.
They said
"I remember the pitch wasn't great, but what I really remember was the
atmosphere. The fans turned Lansdowne Road into a cauldron and, with
them at our backs, the lads put on a really strong, hard-working
performance. We beat a great Spain team that night and there's no doubt
that it was the turning point for us in reaching Italia 90. I'd say it
was one of the great nights at Lansdowne Road," Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Pat Bonner.
"This was not a football match, it was not even close. The Irish
players were too harsh. It was very difficult to play in such
circumstances," Spain striker Emilio Butragueno.
"We had to show Spain that, when we had a full-strength side, they were only second best," Republic of Ireland coach Jack Charlton.
What happened next...
The story had a happy ending for both sides, with second place good
enough for the Irish to qualify for Italy 1990 alongside group winners
Spain. As FIFA World Cup debuts go, it was one of the more memorable,
with Charlton's side escaping unbeaten from a pool that included
England, Egypt and the Netherlands, before claiming a famous last-16
victory over Romania.
Bonner's decisive penalty save from Daniel Timofte remains arguably the
most iconic moment in Irish sporting history, and although a solitary
Toto Schillaci strike brought the fairy tale to an end in the
quarter-finals, Charlton and his team had become national heroes. A
crowd of 500,000 lined the streets of Dublin to welcome them home.
Spain disappointed in Italy, falling to Yugoslavia in the last 16, but
they returned to Lansdowne Road on FIFA World Cup qualifying business
in October 1993, and exacted brutal revenge. On that occasion, a Julio
Salinas double helped fire La Roja
to a resounding 3-1 win, although history was to repeat itself as the
Republic bounced back to clinch a runners-up finish that enabled them
to join Spain at USA 1994.