Euro 96: England's most painful tournament

Is it coming home? All of England will be hoping so on Sunday 14 July to erase the memory of Euro 96, when the tournament was hosted by England.

Hosting for the first time, England entered Euro 96 with heightened expectations. The team, managed by Terry Venables, boasted a blend of experienced stalwarts and emerging talents, raising hopes of a first major title since the 1966 World Cup. Football was ‘coming home’, everyone in the country could feel it.

But fairytales rarely happen in real life, and that overwhelming sense of optimism soon turned to heartache – a sting that is still being felt to this day. Let’s look back at the triumphs and tragedy of UEFA Euro 1996.

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England was drawn into Group A alongside Switzerland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. The opening match against Switzerland at Wembley Stadium on June 8 ended in a 1-1 draw. Alan Shearer, who had been on a goal drought for the national team, found the net in the 23rd minute, but Kubilay Türkyilmaz's penalty ensured the spoils were shared. The performance was nervy, reflecting the immense pressure on the home side.

The second match, the quintessentially British clash against Scotland on June 15, was a turning point. England triumphed 2-0, thanks to a powerful header from Shearer and an iconic solo goal by Paul Gascoigne, who lobbed the ball over Colin Hendry before volleying past the keeper and was celebrated with his iconic 'dentist chair'. 

The final group match against the Netherlands on June 18 was a statement of intent. England delivered a scintillating performance, dismantling the Dutch 4-1. Shearer and Teddy Sheringham each scored twice, showcasing the team's attacking prowess. 

Despite a late consolation goal from Patrick Kluivert, the victory ensured England topped the group and advanced to the knockout stages with confidence.

In the quarter finals on June 22, England faced Spain, a team known for their technical skill. The match at Wembley was a tense affair, ending 0-0 after extra time. Spain had two goals disallowed, and both teams had chances to score, but ultimately, the game was decided by a penalty shootout; England fans were nervous, and rightfully so. 

England's penalty record in major tournaments had been notoriously poor, but this time, they held their nerve. David Platt, Gascoigne, Shearer, and Stuart Pearce – redeeming himself after his infamous miss in the 1990 World Cup semi-final – all converted their spot-kicks. When Spain's Miguel Ángel Nadal missed, England emerged victorious, 4-2 on penalties, sending the home fans into raptures.

The semi-final against Germany on June 26 was one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the tournament. It was a rematch of the 1990 World Cup semi-final and the 1966 World Cup final (both as West Germany), laden with historical significance and emotional weight.

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Alan Shearer gave England an early lead, heading home a corner from Gascoigne in the 3rd minute. Germany equalized through Stefan Kuntz in the 16th minute, setting the stage for a tense, hard-fought contest. Both teams had opportunities to win the match in normal and extra time. Gascoigne came agonizingly close to scoring a golden goal, missing a cross by inches.

With the score tied at 1-1 after extra time, the match was decided by penalties. Thanks to an apparent change in fortunes, England fans were quietly confident going into the shootout, but this time, it was not to be. Both teams converted their first five penalties, but in sudden death, Gareth Southgate's effort was saved by Andreas Köpke. Andreas Möller then stepped up to score for Germany – it was all over for England. 

The Southgate missed penalty has gone down as one of the biggest disappointments in English football, and remains a sore spot for the man himself. Without a doubt, that was "the most challenging experience I’ve been through," he told Prince William in an interview with The Standard in 2021.

He continued: ‘The country was on a tidal wave of emotion and good feeling, and then you walk away from the stadium feeling that you’re the person, ultimately, for that [feeling of optimism] finishing.’

Southgate has even said the experience has informed his tenure today as coach of The Three Lions, telling talkSport in 2018 that he "might not have survived as a manager without that experience," thanks to the resilience it taught him.

While England's Euro 96 journey ended in familiar heartbreak, the tournament left a lasting legacy. It showcased English football's revival, characterized by memorable performances, iconic moments, and a renewed sense of belief among fans.  

Will 2024 finally be the year England crack the Euros? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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