Northern Irish heroes leave Spain shellshocked
FIFA reflects on another stunning World Cup upset, with this instalment focused on Northern Ireland's famous victory over the host nation in 1982.
Spain 1982 | Group stage Estadio Luis Casanova, Valencia Attendance: 49,562 Northern Ireland goal: Armstrong (47)
Coach: Billy Bingham Starting XI: Pat Jennings, Jimmy Nicholl, Mal Donaghy, Chris Nicholl, John McClelland, David McCreery, Martin O’Neill Sammy McIlroy, Gerry Armstrong, Norman Whiteside, Billy Hamilton Substitutions: Tommy Cassidy for McIlroy (50), Sammy Nelson for Whiteside (73)
Coach: Jose Santamaria Starting XI: Luis Arconada, Jose Alexanko, Jose Antonio Camacho, Rafael Gordillo, Miguel Tendillo, Miguel Alonso, Enrique Saura, Jose Sanchez, Juanito, Jesus Satrustegui, Roberto Lopez Ufarte Substitutions: Quini for Satrustegui (45), Ricardo Gallego for Lopez Ufarte (78)
0 Northern Ireland wins 3 Spain wins 2 draws
Qualification for the next phase was still on the line when Northern Ireland and Spain headed into the final fixture in Group 5.
The Irish were competing in their first World Cup since 1958, having finished ahead of Sweden, Portugal and Israel in their European qualifying group. Spain, of course, qualified automatically as hosts and were hungry to make their mark on the global stage. They had failed to reach the World Cup knockouts since 1950.
La Roja had an inauspicious start the tournament, however, drawing 1-1 with Honduras before coming from behind to edge Yugoslavia 2-1. Northern Ireland drew both their fixtures against the same opposition.
Spain came into the match level on points at the top of the section with Yugoslavia, who had concluded their group campaign the night previously. The hosts were still not assured of a place in the next phase, but knew a point against the Irish would be enough. Northern Ireland needed to win to be certain of progression.
On the back of their win over Yugoslavia, the stage was set for Spain to build further momentum and roar into the next stage. Northern Ireland had other ideas. They frustrated the hosts in the first half, defending with resilience and authority to keep Spain at arm’s length. And when the Irish had a chance to strike soon after the break, they seized it ruthlessly. Billy Hamilton’s cross was parried by goalkeeper Luis Arconada into the path of Gerry Armstrong, who lashed in the most famous goal in Northern Ireland’s football history.
There was to be more drama, with Mal Donaghy sent off on 62 minutes, but Billy Bingham’s team held on to record an incredible upset and progress to the next stage.
The 1-0 scoreline meant Spain qualified, too, ahead of Yugoslavia on goals scored. One more Irish goal would have eliminated the hosts.
"We knew that we could do something against Spain. Even though most people thought we had no chance, we believed. Every player wants to play in a World Cup finals but to play in the World Cup finals knowing you have to win and you're playing the host nation in their own backyard... Then you do it against all the odds and go down to 10 men. You couldn't write the script for it.” Gerry Armstrong, Northern Ireland goalscorer
“The roar when the Spanish anthem reverberated around the stadium was frightening. The fans were intimidating but we knew we had an unbreakable team bond which the Spanish would never defeat.” David McCreery, Northern Ireland midfielder
“We did not play a lesser game than we played against Yugoslavia (a 2-1 victory in Spain’s previous match). We dominated from beginning to end and had the misfortune that in one counter-attack a goal was scored against us.” Jose Santamaria, Spain coach
While both nations advanced to the second group phase at Spain 1982, neither was able to progress to the semi-finals. Spain finished bottom of a three-team group featuring West Germany and England, while Northern Ireland propped up a section including France and Austria.
Armstrong scored three times in total at Spain 1982. He was also on target against Honduras and France.
Northern Ireland forward Norman Whiteside celebrated his 17th birthday just one month before the tournament. The Manchester United sensation became the World Cup’s youngest-ever player when he started in his country’s 0-0 draw with Yugoslavia aged 17 years and 40 days. It is a record he holds to this day.
One year after the tournament, Northern Ireland match-winner Armstrong signed for Spanish club Real Mallorca, where he spent two seasons. During his time there, he scored in a 2-2 draw at Valencia at the same end where netted against Spain.
In 2016, Northern Ireland’s win over Spain was voted by readers of the Belfast Telegraph as the country’s greatest sporting moment.
The teams also met in the group stage at Mexico 1986. Spain triumphed on this occasion, with Emilio Butragueno and Julio Salinas on target in a 2-1 win.