FIFA World Cup qualifiers: 5 most historic European playoff fixtures 

#3 Belgium 3-2 Republic of Ireland (1998)

Luc Nilis denied Ireland a place at the 1998 World Cup

Another heartbreak for the Irish: 12 years before Thierry Henry denied them a chance to go to the 2010 World Cup, Ireland were left to rue another case of 'what might have been', after going down 2-1 on aggregate to Belgium in the playoff for a spot in the 1998 World Cup.

The Irish had been pushed down to second place in their qualification group by a rampant Romania whereas Belgium had seen their hopes of automatic progression hindered at the hands of the Dutch by a single point.

The Irish were considered to be the favourites in the playoff and Denis Irwin fired them into the lead within six minutes of the first leg in Dublin. PSV striker Luc Nilis would tie the score for Belgium and the match finished 1-1.

Belgium had to win or settle for a goalless draw in Brussels to progress and they seemed to be gunning for the death shot as Luis Oliveira put them 1-0 up on 25 minutes. The Irish were still confident and just before the hour mark, Ray Houghton equalised.

A further goal from Ireland would have meant that Belgium would need to score twice to progress, but it never came to that.

12 minutes later, Nilis once again propped up to dash Ireland's hopes and send Belgium to the World Cup 3-2 on aggregate where they gamely managed to draw all three games before exiting in the first round.