Soccer Trivia Quiz: Are You A True Football Fan?

The Republic of Ireland beat Iran in a two-legged playoff to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. The first leg took place on November 10, 2001, in Dublin, where Ireland won 2-0 with goals from Ian Harte and Robbie Keane. The second leg was held on November 15, 2001, in Tehran, and ended in a 1-0 victory for Iran. However, Ireland's aggregate score of 2-1 secured their place in the 2002 World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan. This qualification was a significant achievement for the Republic of Ireland, allowing them to compete on the world stage.

Inter Milan won their 17th Serie A championship in 2009. This title was part of a period of dominance for Inter in Italian football. Under the management of José Mourinho, Inter secured the 2008-2009 Serie A title with a combination of strong defensive performances and effective attacking play. This championship was particularly significant as it was one of five consecutive Serie A titles won by Inter from 2006 to 2010. The 2008-2009 season set the stage for even greater success, as Inter went on to win a historic treble (Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Champions League) in the following 2009-2010 season.

Napoli's home stadium is called Stadio San Paolo, located in Naples. It is one of the most iconic stadiums in Italy and has a capacity of over 60,000 spectators. The stadium was named after Saint Paul, who is believed to have landed in the Naples area during his journey to Rome. Stadio San Paolo has hosted numerous important matches, including Napoli's domestic league games, European competitions, and international fixtures. It was also one of the venues for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The stadium is known for its passionate and loyal fan base, creating an electric atmosphere during matches.

Vittorio Mero, an Italian soccer player, tragically died in a car accident on January 23, 2002. Mero was playing for Brescia at the time of his death. He was a defender known for his dedication and strong defensive skills. His untimely death shocked the Italian football community, and Brescia and its fans mourned the loss of a beloved player. The club honored his memory, and his passing served as a somber reminder of the fragility of life, even for professional athletes.

David Platt began his professional football career with Crewe Alexandra, a club known for its excellent youth development program. Platt joined Crewe in 1985 after being released by Manchester United. His time at Crewe Alexandra was crucial for his development as a player. Platt's impressive performances at Crewe earned him a move to Aston Villa, where he became a key player and further established himself as one of England's top midfielders. His career later included notable stints with Bari, Juventus, Sampdoria, and Arsenal, as well as a successful international career with the England national team.

Luis Figo started his professional football career with Sporting Lisbon (Sporting Clube de Portugal). He joined the club's youth academy at a young age and quickly progressed through the ranks. Figo made his first-team debut for Sporting Lisbon in 1989 and soon became one of the most promising talents in Portuguese football. His exceptional dribbling skills, vision, and ability to score goals attracted the attention of top European clubs. In 1995, he transferred to FC Barcelona, where he achieved significant success before moving to Real Madrid in a highly controversial and record-breaking transfer in 2000.

Brian Deane scored the first-ever goal in the English Premier League (known as the Premiership at the time) on August 15, 1992. The goal came just five minutes into the opening match of the inaugural Premier League season between Sheffield United and Manchester United. Deane, playing for Sheffield United, headed the ball into the net, making history as the scorer of the league's first goal. Sheffield United went on to win the match 2-1. This goal marked the beginning of a new era in English football, as the Premier League quickly grew to become one of the most popular and competitive football leagues in the world.

Atlantis FC won the Finnish Cup in 2001 when Atlantis FC defeated Tampere United by 1-0. The Finnish Cup is an annual knockout football competition in Finland. In the 2001 final, Atlantis FC emerged victorious, securing one of the most prestigious trophies in Finnish football. This win was a significant achievement for the club, highlighting their strong performance in the domestic competition that year.

Lilian Thuram scored both of France's goals in their 2-1 victory over Croatia in the 1998 World Cup semifinal. The match took place on July 8, 1998, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Croatia took the lead through Davor Šuker, but Thuram responded with two goals in quick succession. These goals were remarkable because they were the only goals Thuram ever scored for the French national team in his entire international career. His performance was crucial in securing France's place in the final, where they went on to win their first World Cup by defeating Brazil.

In the 1997 Malaysian Cup final, Selangor FC defeated Pahang 1-0, marking a remarkable achievement of winning the competition for the third consecutive year. This period of dominance highlighted Selangor's strength and consistency in Malaysian football, as they also won the Malaysian Cup in 1995 and 1996. They defeated Pahang twice, in 1995 and 1997.

During the 1996/97 season, Celtic Park was undergoing significant renovations to modernize the stadium and increase its capacity. During this period, Celtic F.C. needed an alternative venue for their home matches. They chose Hampden Park, the national stadium of Scotland, as their temporary home ground. Hampden Park, located in Glasgow, is historically significant and has hosted numerous important matches, including Scottish Cup finals and international fixtures. The use of Hampden Park ensured that Celtic could continue to accommodate a large number of supporters while their own stadium was being upgraded.

Nigeria beat Argentina 3-2 in the final of the 1996 Olympic Games soccer tournament to win the gold medal. The final was held on August 3, 1996, in Athens, Georgia, USA. The match was a thrilling encounter, with Nigeria coming from behind twice to secure the victory. Argentina took the lead through Claudio López, but Nigeria equalized with a goal from Celestine Babayaro. Hernán Crespo then restored Argentina's lead, but Daniel Amokachi equalized again for Nigeria. In the dying minutes of the match, Emmanuel Amunike scored the winning goal for Nigeria, securing their first Olympic gold medal in football and making history as the first African team to win the tournament.

Fiorentina won the Coppa Italia in the 2000-2001 season. They defeated Parma in the final, securing their sixth Coppa Italia title. The victory was a significant achievement for Fiorentina, highlighting their strong performance in domestic cup competitions. The 2000-2001 Coppa Italia campaign was marked by solid performances from key players and effective tactical strategies, leading Fiorentina to lift the trophy and celebrate a successful season.

Mauricio Pellegrino missed the decisive penalty in the 2000-2001 Champions League final against Bayern Munich. The final, held at San Siro in Milan on May 23, 2001, ended 1-1 after extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. Pellegrino's miss allowed Bayern Munich to win the shootout 5-4, securing their fourth European Cup/Champions League title. The match was a dramatic and tense affair, with both teams fighting hard for the prestigious trophy. Pellegrino's miss was a heartbreaking moment for Valencia, who had reached the final for the second consecutive year but were unable to lift the trophy.

Inter Milan was previously known as Ambrosiana during the Fascist era in Italy. The club was founded in 1908 as Internazionale, reflecting its inclusive philosophy of accepting foreign players. However, during the Fascist regime, the club was forced to change its name to Ambrosiana in 1928 to align with the nationalistic policies of the government. After World War II, the club reverted to its original name, Internazionale (Inter Milan). Despite the name change, the club continued to build its legacy and became one of Italy's most successful and popular football clubs.