On This Day at the World Cup – June 30: Toto Ends Irish Adventure

On this day at Italia 90 Italy secured passage into the semi-final of the World Cup following a slender victory against surprise package Republic of Ireland.

Another goal from Toto Schillaci, his fourth of the tournament, settled the game played in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

Irish goalkeeper Packie Bonner spilled a shot into the path of Schillaci and, in the form of his life, he was never going to miss from close range.

Jack Charlton’s Ireland were at their first World Cup and were granted an audience with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican prior to the game, but luck wasn’t on their side in the Eternal City.

The hosts would not return to the Olimpico during the tournament – moving on to Naples and Bari – and you can read all about the 12 stadiums that provided the backdrop to the ‘Magic Nights’ here.

Ireland, meanwhile, continues to have a presence up and down the peninsula. At Destination Calcio we’ve tried more than a few Irish bars and here are suggestions in Naples, Florence and Rome. And in one pub you can swap your scarf for a pint and sample what one punter rates as ‘Italy’s best Guinness‘.