It was a night where football romance trumped reality in Rotterdam.
A night when Northern Ireland perplexed the Dutch in their own backyard.
And a night where George Best and Johan Cruyff graced the same elevated stage.
The classy Cruyff and Holland, who had lost the 1974 World Cup final to Germany two years previous, were in their pomp.
It was a golden era for ‘Oranje’ who boasted a raft of global stars including Johan Neeskens and Rudi Krol.
Northern Ireland boss Danny Blanchflower branded the World Cup qualifier, played out in front of 56,000 fans, a “conflict between emotion and logic.”
“We can enjoy ourselves,” he said. “A 4-0 defeat will be a moral victory.”
Logic suggested the Dutch would ravage an Irish side with just one win in their previous seven games. Rotterdam was also Blanchflower’s first game at the helm.
His first act was to lure Best – now 30 and fully acquainted with a coven of off-field demons – back to the fold after three years in the international wilderness.
Prior to kick-off, a blonde haired Dutch girl reached the former European player of the year a single rose. Best kissed her hand and trotted out raising the flower in the air.
Former Manchester United defender Jimmy Nicholl, now on Michael O’Neill’s backroom staff, was a teenager winning his third cap at De Kuip Stadium.
“It was a personal highlight to play with George,” he recalled. “He had come back from American and was playing well for Fulham at the time.
“We were all delighted when he showed up. It gave you belief.”
Prior to the game, a journalist asked Best if Cruyff, European football of the year in 1971, 1973 and 1974, was a superior player.
“You’re kidding, aren’t you,” said George who went on to suggest he would nutmeg Holland’s captain to prove a point.
Two hours later, the balletic Best feathered the ball through Cruyff’s legs, raising his right fist in mock celebration as he whizzed past.
“I remember watching in awe – it was incredible,” smiled Nicholl. “George was supposedly on the way out at that time, but he was magnificent.”
Best inspired a momentous result as goals from Chris McGrath and Derek Spence sealed a famous 2-2 draw.
Respected football writer Hugh McIlvanney declared the result “first cousin to a miracle”.
Holland would go on to qualify for the 1978 World Cup, losing the final to hosts Argentina, minus Cruyff who didn’t travel to South America for family reasons.
Best won only four more caps for his country, his final farewell coming in a 1-0 defeat to the Dutch in Belfast 12 months later.
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