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Alan Shearer v Holland 1996 II

Alan Shearer v Holland 1996 II

£20.00


See this print on display in our online Euro's gallery

Frame not included.

Euro Memory from Si Lloyd.

Paul Gascoigne’s brilliant solo effort against Scotland is, for many England fans, their abiding memory of Euro 96. There’s a strong case to be made, though, that the true highlight for Terry Venables’ team came days later, in their closing group game with the Netherlands. Qualification for the quarter-finals was likely but not yet clinched.  A draw against the Dutch, the pre-tournament favourites, would have been enough; a defeat would have left the door ajar for Scotland to reach the knock-out stage at their expense. 

Alan Shearer’s penalty had settled the nerves. When Teddy Sheringham headed home a corner early in the second half, the job was as good as done. Then, with the game approaching the hour mark, came a moment of devastating quality to banish any lingering doubts.

Fittingly, it was Gascoigne, buoyed by his goal against Scotland, who was the catalyst. Exchanging passes with McManaman on the left, he surged into the area, gliding past a flat-footed Aron Winter and drawing Danny Blind towards him. Seeing that Blind had left Sheringham in space, Gascoigne prodded the ball into his path for the shot. Except, no. Realising the Dutch defence were in total disarray as the pass reached him, Sheringham sensed Shearer was in even more space to his right. Feinting to shoot, he selflessly rolled it towards his strike partner, who smashed it home. Wembley erupted. 

Gascoigne’s buccaneering run. Sheringham’s awareness and ingenuity. Shearer’s emphatic finish. It was a goal that had everything; a goal that ignited a genuine belief that England really could end those 30 years of hurt.