July 1, 1990

The Republic of Ireland national football team’s longest running winning streak comes to an end on this day in 1990, after being defeated by Italy 0-1 in the quarter final round of the 1990 FIFA World Cup. 1990 marked Ireland’s best year for football. They won games against Spain, Northern Ireland, Hungary, Malta and Romania, with draws against England, Egypt and Holland. The Irish national team also had a personal audience with Pope John Paul II during their World Cup run.