Northern Ireland goalkeeping hero Pat Jennings memorably played the last game of his long and illustrious career on the day of his forty first birthday against the most famous footballing power on Earth – Brazil. This World Cup game was a fitting send off for this legendary player.
In the end, the score wasn’t what the fans would have hoped for but they had already overcome the odds by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup at this point – and this was their third time of doing so. Manager Billy Bingham and Pat Jennings were interviewed afterwards and were philosophical in defeat. For a small nation against a giant of the game all you can do is give your best.