Whenever I reflect on my most cherished memories playing for England, two moments immediately come to mind: being named captain, and that incredible night at Wembley when we dismantled the Netherlands 4-1 during Euro 96. This game, the England Euro Cup clash against the Dutch, instantly springs to mind as a pinnacle of my international career.
As the Euro 2024 semi-final lineup solidified, my thoughts drifted back to that iconic match. I vividly recall standing in the penalty area, witnessing Paul Gascoigne’s dazzling run through the Dutch defense before he laid it off to Teddy Sheringham. My arms were aloft, urging Teddy to pass, and then, in a flash, I was unleashing a shot that soared into the top corner. The eruption of celebration that followed, shared with players, staff, and fans alike, was pure euphoria. It was a moment of England Euro Cup magic.
To simply call it the best team performance during my England career, which spanned from 1992 to 2000, would be an understatement. In my lifetime, and arguably in the history of the England Euro Cup campaigns, it stands out as the most dominant and memorable display.
To be honest, there aren’t many other England performances that truly compete with that Euro 96 victory.
The 1970s and 1980s weren’t particularly kind to the England national team. The 1990 World Cup offered a glimmer of hope with that agonizing semi-final loss to Germany on penalties – a fate that repeated itself at Euro 96. At the 1998 World Cup, we battled fiercely against Argentina but again succumbed to penalties. The stunning 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich in 2001 was a highlight, but as a World Cup qualifier, it doesn’t quite hold the same weight as a major tournament game.
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It’s really only since Gareth Southgate’s tenure that England has consistently performed on the big stage in major tournaments. We’ve seen dramatic moments like the penalty shootout win against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup, victories over Germany, Ukraine, and Denmark on our path to the Euro 2020 final, and comfortable wins against Iran, Wales, and Senegal at the 2022 World Cup. Even recent nervy wins against Slovakia and Switzerland contribute to this pattern of tournament success.
However, when considering a single, complete performance, nothing quite matches the heights we reached on Tuesday, June 18, 1996. That night, we truly embodied everything our manager, Terry Venables, believed we could be, showcasing the best of England Euro Cup potential.
Shearer Euro 96 Goal Celebration
Image alt text: Alan Shearer celebrates his goal against the Netherlands during the Euro 96 match, a defining moment in England’s Euro Cup history.
There’s a reason why, nearly three decades later, people like me still reminisce about that England Euro Cup game. Its legendary status hasn’t been inflated by time; even as we walked off the pitch, leading 4-0 with a significant portion of the match remaining, there was an undeniable sense of witnessing something extraordinary.
It was one of those rare occurrences in international football, especially for England, where everything clicked seamlessly.
Growing up, Dutch football held a certain mystique. The “Total Football” era of Johan Cruyff and the 1970s teams was legendary. Then came the formidable team that conquered Euro 1988, featuring the likes of Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, and Marco van Basten at their peak.
By the mid-1990s, a new wave of Dutch talent emerged, largely from the renowned Ajax academy. I recall being in Vienna as a guest of Umbro, witnessing Ajax’s triumph over the legendary AC Milan in the 1995 Champions League final. That young Ajax side, boasting names like Edwin van der Sar, the De Boer twins, Michael Reiziger, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, Marc Overmars, and Patrick Kluivert, was a revelation. Their speed, skill, and one-touch, two-touch passing were unlike anything we had seen before.
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When we were drawn into the same group as the Netherlands for Euro 96, many预料ed we were competing for second place. England had endured a difficult period: eliminated in the group stage of Euro 92, failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. As hosts of Euro 96, the two-year build-up had been underwhelming. I’ve previously mentioned my personal drought of 12 games without scoring for England leading up to that tournament. The pressure was mounting for this England Euro Cup campaign.
One thing I distinctly remember about the lead-up to Euro 96 was Terry Venables’ emphasis on tactical flexibility. He prepared us to utilize various systems and setups throughout the tournament. While we might initially line up in a 4-4-2, he constantly drilled us on transitioning into different formations – a back three, a midfield diamond, or the “Christmas tree” 4-3-2-1.
On paper, our formation against the Dutch appeared to be a 4-4-2: David Seaman in goal; Gary Neville, Gareth Southgate, Tony Adams, and Stuart Pearce forming the backline; Steve McManaman, Gazza, Paul Ince, and Darren Anderton across midfield; and Teddy Sheringham and myself leading the attack. This was the England Euro Cup lineup designed for success.
England Euro 96 Lineup vs Netherlands
Image alt text: The England starting lineup against the Netherlands in their Euro 96 match, showcasing the tactical setup for this crucial England Euro Cup fixture.
However, the reality on the pitch was far more dynamic. Venables’ tactical approach fostered fluidity. At times, Gary Neville or Gareth Southgate would advance into midfield, Steve McManaman would push higher on the right flank, and Darren Anderton would drift inside. Teddy Sheringham possessed the football intelligence to know when to play alongside me upfront and when to drop into the space behind. This constant movement and interchange was central to Terry’s master plan for this England Euro Cup journey.
Instead of focusing solely on neutralizing the talented Dutch players, Terry’s bold strategy was to challenge them at their own game. This was a particularly courageous approach given the group dynamics. In those days, only the top two teams advanced to the knockout stages. A loss to the Netherlands that night could have realistically meant our elimination, a devastating prospect for a home tournament – the England Euro Cup on our own soil. The stakes were incredibly high.
I rewatched the game a few years ago for a BBC documentary. It was the first time I had seen it in its entirety for a long time. It was reassuring to see that the Dutch were indeed as skillful and quick in possession as I remembered.
However, we drew first blood with a penalty, which I converted. Two key moments stand out from that penalty sequence. First, Paul Ince’s exquisite skill that drew the foul from Danny Blind – Incey was such a phenomenal player, especially throughout that tournament.
That turn from Ince 👌
And the penalty never in doubt from Shearer 👊
Relive England v Netherlands from Euro 96 on today’s #BBCEuros Rewind.
📺 @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online from 15:00 (BST). pic.twitter.com/mTkIh5TCpB
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 13, 2020
Secondly, as I approached the penalty spot, I remember noticing Edwin van der Sar’s imposing presence in goal. I thought to myself, “He looks massive. I have to place this perfectly into the side-netting, otherwise, if he guesses correctly, he’ll save it.”
It was a huge relief to see the ball hit the back of the net. It marked my third goal of the tournament, breaking that long scoring drought, and I felt an immense surge of confidence. That confidence seemed to permeate the entire team, fueling our England Euro Cup ambition.
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The second half is where the magic truly unfolded. Teddy Sheringham extended our lead to 2-0 with a header from a corner, setting the stage for a period of dominance and brilliance that every footballer dreams of experiencing.
I’ve already mentioned my second goal at the beginning of this piece. I cherish that goal. While I was calling for the pass, I honestly half-expected Teddy to shoot himself given his excellent position. However, he cleverly feigned a shot, then squared the ball to me. I simply lowered my head and struck the ball with everything I had. It was one of the sweetest strikes of my career, arcing away from Van der Sar and nestling into the top corner. A true England Euro Cup moment.
⏳⏪ The last time @England met the Netherlands in a major tournament…@alanshearer ⚽️🙋♂️#FlashbackFriday pic.twitter.com/buFetiieqy
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) May 31, 2019
This moment highlights the contrast between Teddy and me as players.
In our opening group game against Switzerland, a similar scenario arose where I had an opportunity to pass the ball across the six-yard box for Teddy to tap in. I’m sure Teddy wasn’t surprised when I opted to shoot myself. Having gone so long without an England goal, my desire to score was overwhelming, and thankfully, I did.
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However, in that moment against the Netherlands, I wasn’t even certain if Teddy had seen or heard me, despite my raised arms and shouts for the ball. Teddy possessed an innate awareness of everyone’s positioning on the pitch. He was an incredibly intelligent and selfless player, and I was genuinely thrilled when he scored his second goal, extending our lead to 4-0. It was an unbelievable scoreline for an England Euro Cup match.
Shearer and Sheringham Euro 96 Celebration
Image alt text: Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham celebrate Shearer’s goal against the Netherlands during Euro 96, showcasing the partnership that defined England’s Euro Cup attack.
Terry Venables substituted both of us shortly after, which, as a striker chasing a hat-trick and the Golden Boot, I wasn’t particularly happy about in the moment. However, Terry was wisely thinking ahead to the knockout stages, ensuring we were both fresh. Ultimately, it was the right decision for the team, even if personally, I felt a tinge of disappointment on such a momentous night.
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Watching the final stages of the game from the bench, the atmosphere was electric. Having played for England for four years, I had never experienced anything quite like those few days. First, the victory over Scotland on Saturday, and now this – it was another level entirely. The chants of “Football’s coming home” resonated throughout Wembley, encapsulating the nation’s hope for this England Euro Cup.
The celebratory mood continued in the dressing room and back at the hotel bar afterwards, where we enjoyed a few drinks and probably a singalong. We all knew we had been part of something truly special that night. This England Euro Cup game was etched in history.
England vs Netherlands Euro 96 Scoreboard
Image alt text: The iconic 4-1 scoreline displayed at Wembley during the England vs Netherlands Euro 96 match, signifying a historic England Euro Cup victory.
Expectations were tempered entering the tournament, but after convincingly beating the Dutch – thrashing them 4-1 – we started to believe, “We might actually have a real chance here.” The dream of England Euro Cup success was becoming tangible.
I remember venturing out for a haircut in Burnham the next day. Stepping out of the taxi, I was met with a street party in full swing. People were still celebrating our victory from the previous night. I had never witnessed anything like it. We were riding a wave of national euphoria. How far could it carry us in this England Euro Cup?
It propelled us past Spain in the quarter-finals – a nervy penalty shootout victory by the skin of our teeth – and all the way to extra time and penalties against Germany in the semi-finals. We came agonizingly close to reaching the final. We can always look back on the “what ifs”: Gazza’s desperate lunge, inches away from connecting with my cross for a golden goal winner in extra time, Gareth Southgate’s heartbreaking penalty miss in the shootout. We were so, so close to England Euro Cup glory.
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But we fell short. That team reached a semi-final but never a final. Sport is often decided by fine margins, and for years, England seemed to consistently land on the wrong side of them, be it penalty shootouts or other misfortunes.
This current England team is different. They consistently find themselves on the right side of those tight margins. While their performances haven’t always been dazzling at this tournament, they get the job done. I’ve been critical of some of their displays, but there’s an undeniable admirable quality in their resilience and determination. Under Gareth Southgate, England has become adept at tournament football, building on the legacy of past England Euro Cup campaigns.
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if England could replicate a performance reminiscent of 1996 against the Dutch tonight (Wednesday)? Imagine Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka conjuring moments of magic, and Harry Kane adding a couple of goals. That’s the dream scenario for all of us, including Gareth Southgate, as we hope for another memorable England Euro Cup moment.
England Euro 2024 Semi-Final Hopes
Image alt text: England team at Euro 2024, carrying the hopes of a nation as they aim to emulate the spirit of the Euro 96 England Euro Cup team and go even further.
To be honest, I don’t foresee a high-scoring affair. It might be another tense, drawn-out night.
Unless their performance level elevates significantly, I might find myself expressing my frustrations in the commentary box again, as I have in recent weeks. England hasn’t played free-flowing, expansive football at this tournament, and a dramatic shift in a high-stakes semi-final seems unlikely.
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That’s what made 1996 so extraordinary. We knew we possessed talented players and strong personalities, but I don’t think even we fully grasped our collective potential in an England shirt until that unforgettable night at Wembley. That England Euro Cup performance against the Netherlands revealed our true capabilities.
It was a performance so exceptional that people still approach me to discuss it – recalling how well we played and the emotions it evoked. Unfortunately, we didn’t ultimately lift the trophy that summer.
Even if their performances haven’t quite reached those same heights yet at this European Championship, I sincerely hope Gareth Southgate and his players can surpass our achievements from Euro 96 and finally bring home the trophy. The current England squad has the opportunity to create their own defining England Euro Cup story.
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(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
