In Ireland's Group E, Italy were the favorites. Italy's defeat in the first game against Ireland (0-1) was an immediate surprise. In the further course of the encounters, the teams, which included Norway and Mexico, neutralized each other, with each team earning a win, a draw and a defeat. The four finished the group tied, with Norway finishing fourth due to fewer goals scored and eliminated. Mexico won the group ahead of Ireland and Italy, which meant the three teams made it to the round of 16.
In the round of 16, Dennis Bergkamp (10th) and Wim Jonk (40th) were the goalscorers for the Netherlands against Ireland. The defensively strong Irish managed no goal on the offensive. So the favorite won.