There's days jam-packed with football drama and days absolutely jam-packed with football drama. And then there's this day 20 years ago. November 17, 1993 was wedged with sporting drama. There's at least a couple of novels in what went on that night. It's hard to believe it's 20 years to the day since all this happened...
Alan McLoughlin's Night
On a night filled with sectarian tension, Alan McLoughlin's strike was enough to send Ireland through. Jimmy Quinn's super volley had put Northern Ireland 1-0 up on a night when the North seemed desperately determined to prevent us going to America. McLoughlin rammed home a shot from the edge of the box with just over 10 minutes remaining. Over in Seville, the brilliantly named goalie Zubizaretta was sent off early on, but 10-man Spain held out to beat Denmark 1-0 with a heroic performance from the young reserve and future Valencia man Santiago Canizares between the sticks (a largely forgotten performance by Irish fans, but surely a candidate for the Gary Mackay Hall of Fame if ever there was one) and so Ireland's nervy draw in Belfast was enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76k3J3beZPU
France's blackest day
This game still causes aggro in France with David Ginola suing Gerard Houllier in the last couple of years over comments the latter has made about the match. France somehow failing to make the 1994 World Cup remains one of the most astonishing collapses in football history. They sat serenely atop Group 6 having won 6, drawn 1, and lost 1, and they needed only a single point from their last two home games against then whipping boys Israel and the hardly intimidating Bulgaria to qualify for America. According to Philipe Auclair, the French papers already had their front pages ready to go the night of the Israeli game, loudly proclaiming 'QUALIFICATION'. After (reportedly) a heavy nights drinking they contrived to lose 3-2 to Israel, who sat bottom of the group. It was all a bit edgy, but they still only needed a draw with Bulgaria a few days later to qualify. All was going swimmingly when Eric Cantona put them 1-0 up after half an hour but the Bulgarians equalized shortly after. Then in the final minutes, with everyone getting nervous, David Ginola had the ball down by the corner flag...
The Computer Salesman put the ball in the English net
Stuart Pearce turns provider for San Marino computer salesman-cum-international sharpshooter David Gualtieri as the latter put San Marino into a 1-0 lead. Graham Taylor supposedly looked towards the sky and said "God, please tell me what I have done wrong" after the goal. It's not often remembered that England actually won 7-1. The rest of the goals are almost never shown but here they are. It didn't matter anyway because England were out.
Heroic failure for Wales
The BBC got bored of San Marino and England and switched their coverage to Cardiff Arms Park. Wales hosted Romania needing a win to qualify. Romania led at half-time through their marquee man Hagi, but the Welsh battled back with Dean Saunders. Then moments later, Gary Speed was hauled down and Swindon's Paul Bodin stepped forward to take the penalty.
