It was contested by 26 of the 29 teams that entered, with Austria, Luxembourg and the Soviet Union receiving a bye to the following round.
The winners of each of thirteen home-and-away ties progressed to the round of 16.
Republic of Ireland won 5–3 on aggregate and advanced to the round of 16.
A replay was played on a neutral ground to determine the winner.
East Germany won 3–2 on aggregate and advanced to the round of 16.