On This Day at the World Cup – June 25: Double Delight for Ireland and Italy

Italy and Ireland both celebrated wins on June 25 at Italia 90, setting up a quarter-final meeting in Rome.

David O’Leary and Packie Bonner were the heroes, as Jack Charlton’s men beat Romania 5-4 on penalties after an attritional affair in Genoa to become the first side since Sweden in 1938 to reach a World Cup quarter-final without winning a single game outright.

Only a few hours later Toto Schillaci, by then already a national hero, opened the scoring halfway through the second half as Italy beat Uruguay in Rome, before Aldo Serena added a second late on.

The Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa and the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the two venues that hosted Ireland and Italy’s respective round of 16 ties, are still in use and are two of the must-visit arenas in the calcio landscape.

With its English-style ends – as opposed to the traditional curvas – and a febrile atmosphere whenever one of Genoa and Sampdoria are at home, the Marassi should be on the bucket list of any Italian football fan. But Genoa is not just home to one of the most atmospheric grounds in the country, it’s also the birthplace of pesto and focaccia.

Meanwhile, our stadium guide has all the info you need to visit the Olimpico, whether you are in town to watch Lazio or Roma. As for Rome the city, it is one of the most coveted and visited destinations in the world. Check out our city page for tips on where to stay and the best places to eat and drink, plus things to do.