During Eusebio's illustrious career, he only had the chance to play Ireland on a single occasion.

In 1972, Brazil was celebrating the 150th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence.

Obviously, it being Brazil, football was used as a tool to celebrate the occasion and thus the Brazil Independence Cup was launched.

13 teams were invited to Brazil to take part in the tournament including Eusebio's Portugal and the Boys in Green (one of just four European sides to participate).

As fate would have it, Ireland were placed in Group 2 with Portugal as well as Chile, Ecuador and Iran.

We would play the Portuguese on the final matchday of the group, losing 2 - 1.

The result left Ireland third in the group, while Portugal went on to top it and reach the final where they would lose to Brazil.

Significantly however, it was the only time that Eusebio would face Ireland and you can see some footage from the match in the video below.

The line-ups for the game in Recife (North-East Brazil) on June 25th 1972 was as follows:

Portugal 2-1 Ireland

Goalscorers: [Peres 35, Nene 36; Leech 38]

Portugal: Ze Henrique (Mourinho), Artur, Humberto, Masías, Adolfo, Matine, Peres, Toni, Nené (Jaima Graca), Eusebio, Artur Jorge.

Ireland: Kelly, Mulligan, Dempsey, Carroll, Campbell, Martín, Treacy, Givens, Roger, Leech.

(Hat tip to sp1873)

 

Main image: Eusebio in 1966 ©INPHO/Allsport