Ireland have qualified for the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals against Italy despite failing to win a match in regular time. Indeed, the Irish had only scored two goals in their four previous matches and had advanced to the quarter-finals via a penalty shoot-out against the unfortunate Romanians. Both Ireland and Italy were drawn into a cross-group play-off against France, who they would meet at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958. Italy lost all three of their group games before being booted out of the competition by France. However, they still managed to score 14 goals and lose just once - that 1-0 defeat to Romania - during their campaign. Ireland also failed to win any of their group games but they did score 14 goals, one more than Italy, and they too were eliminated from the tournament after losing to France. However, unlike Italy who went home with their tails between their legs, Ireland enjoyed an exciting end to their World Cup run with two late goal wins over South Korea and Russia to reach the last eight for the first time. All things considered, Ireland made it through to the quarter-finals where they were defeated by Italy. The Italians proved to be too strong for the Irish as they beat them 3-1 on aggregate to advance to the semi-finals. Ireland's exit from the World Cup was a disappointment but they did manage to earn some respect around the world thanks to some impressive displays down the stretch.