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Euro 1996: England vs Germany


“30 years of hurt, never stopped me dreaming” might just be the greatest football lyric of all-time and it was a line that got England fans believing Euro 1996 glory was on the cards.


England were playing some superb football under Terry Venables, Alan Shearer was scoring goals and the defence had conceded just two goals in four tournament games. It felt like football really was coming home.


Just six years after the heart-breaking defeat to Germany in the 1990 World Cup semi-finals, England were once again on the cusp of reaching a major final. Standing in their way this time? Germany once again.


There was a real hype outside Wembley ahead of kick-off in the semi-final. This time, it felt different. England were playing on home soil and the Wembley crowd were fully behind them, as showcased during a rousing rendition of the national anthem.


Nerves soon turned to excitement and jubilation as Alan Shearer headed home with less than three minutes on the clock. For the first time, it felt like football really was coming home.

However, that feeling didn’t last long. Germany responded well to going behind so early on, with Stefan Kuntz equalising with just 15 minutes on the clock.


England battled on tenaciously for the rest of the clash, creating the lion’s share of chances in front of goal but the Three Lions just couldn’t find the breakthrough.


With extra-time looming large, nerves were starting to creep in. The referee blew the final whistle and Terry Venables stepped onto the pitch to give the biggest team talk of his career.


England were all over Germany in extra-time and would almost certainly have been fancied to score the third goal had online betting been around in 1996.


Darren Anderton hit the post from six yards out before the ball drifted agonisingly past Paul Gascoigne’s outstretched leg. It was starting to feel like one of those days…


A few minutes later, the referee blew the whistle for the end of extra-time. Just six years on from the heartbreak of those Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle misses, England had to face Germany in a penalty shootout again.


‘Mr Reliable’ Alan Shearer was first up for England. The Euro 1996 top goal scorer was never going to miss, striking confidently past Germany goalkeeper Andrea Kopke.


Thomas Häßler was equally as assured with his spot-kick, giving England shot stopper David Seaman no charge whatsoever despite diving the right way.


The next eight penalties were scored: Germany’s goal scorer in normal time Stefan Kuntz holding his nerve to score his side’s fifth penalty to ensure sudden death in the shootout.


Gareth Southgate did not look confident as he stepped forward to take England’s sixth penalty and it showed in his effort, with a lack of conviction giving Kopke the chance to make the save.

Standing in for the injured Jurgen Klinsmann as Germany captain, it was up to Andreas Moller to send Germany to the Euro 1996 final – and he duly obliged.


England fans were left devastated once again while the Germans celebrated wildly on the hallowed Wembley turf. 25 years later and football still hasn’t come home…

ARTICLE BY: Oz Yosef

FOOTBALLHISTORIAN10

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