Whenever discussions arise about my most cherished memories representing England, two moments instantly spring to mind. The immense honor of being named captain is one, but equally vivid is the night we dominated the Netherlands 4-1 at Wembley during Euro 96. As Euro 2024 progresses, and the possibility of a semi-final clash against the Netherlands looms large, that electrifying night in 1996 feels incredibly relevant once more. It’s a memory that surfaces immediately, transporting me back to that penalty box at Wembley. I can almost see Paul Gascoigne weaving through Dutch defenders, a deft pass to Teddy Sheringham, my own hands raised, urging for the ball, and then the sheer exhilaration of striking it perfectly into the top corner. The ensuing celebration, the collective euphoria shared by players, staff, and fans – it was truly dreamlike.
To label it merely the pinnacle of team performances in my England career, spanning 1992 to 2000, feels like an understatement. In my lifetime, and perhaps for many England supporters, that Euro 96 victory over the Netherlands remains the benchmark, the gold standard of England performances.
Honestly, when you consider the historical context, it’s difficult to find many England displays that genuinely compete. The 1970s and 80s were largely barren periods for the national team. While the 1990 World Cup semi-final against Germany was iconic, it ended in familiar penalty heartbreak, a fate repeated at Euro 96. The 1998 World Cup against Argentina also ended in penalty disappointment. The 5-1 triumph over Germany in Munich in 2001 was exceptional, but it was a World Cup qualifier, lacking the same tournament stakes.
It’s largely under Gareth Southgate’s leadership that England has consistently delivered in major tournaments. Think of the dramatic penalty shootout win against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup, the victories over Germany, Ukraine, and Denmark on the path to the Euro 2020 final, and the comfortable progress through group stages at the 2022 World Cup against Iran, Wales, and Senegal. Even recent nervy wins against Slovakia and Switzerland demonstrate a newfound resilience.
However, when assessing a single, complete performance, few England displays approach the heights of that Tuesday night, June 18, 1996. That evening, we embodied everything our manager, Terry Venables, believed we could be.
Alan Shearer celebrates scoring against the Netherlands in Euro 96
Alan Shearer celebrates scoring against the Netherlands on a magical night at Wembley, a moment etched in England’s football history.
The enduring legacy of that match, even 28 years later, isn’t manufactured nostalgia. It was palpable even as we walked off the pitch, and even during the game itself, at 4-0 up with time to spare – it felt monumental. It was a rare instance, particularly for England in international football, where every element clicked into place.
Growing up, Dutch football possessed a certain mystique. The “Total Football” era of Johan Cruyff and the 1970s teams, then the legendary Euro 1988 champions with Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, and Marco van Basten at their peak. By the mid-90s, a new generation emerged, largely from Ajax’s famed academy. I witnessed Ajax defeat a formidable AC Milan in the 1995 Champions League final in Vienna. That youthful Ajax side, featuring Edwin van der Sar, the De Boer twins, Michael Reiziger, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, Marc Overmars, and Patrick Kluivert, showcased rapid, skillful, one-touch and two-touch passing unseen before.
When England was drawn in the same Euro 96 group as the Netherlands, many预言ed we were competing for second place. England’s recent history was underwhelming: group stage exit at Euro 92, failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, and a somewhat lackluster build-up to hosting Euro 96. My own personal struggles – a 12-game goal drought for England leading into the tournament – added to the uncertainty.
A key tactical element Terry Venables introduced was flexibility. Even in the months preceding Euro 96, he emphasized using diverse systems and setups. We practiced transitioning from 4-4-2 to formations like a back three, a midfield diamond, or the 4-3-2-1 “Christmas tree.”
On paper, our formation against the Netherlands appeared to be a 4-4-2: David Seaman in goal; Gary Neville, Gareth Southgate, Tony Adams, and Stuart Pearce in defense; Steve McManaman, Gazza, Paul Ince, and Darren Anderton in midfield; and Teddy Sheringham and myself up front.
England's Euro 96 Lineup against the Netherlands
England’s starting XI against the Netherlands at Euro 96, a blend of tactical fluidity and individual brilliance.
However, it was far more dynamic. Venables’ tactical approach involved constant movement and positional interchanges. Gary Neville or Gareth Southgate would step into midfield, McManaman would advance on the right flank, Anderton would drift inside, and Sheringham would alternate between playing alongside me and dropping into space. This fluidity, orchestrated by Venables, was central to our game plan.
Instead of solely focusing on neutralizing the Dutch stars, Venables bravely opted to confront them on their own terms, playing an attacking, expansive game. This was a bold strategy, particularly given the group dynamics. In that era, only the top two teams advanced to the knockout stage. Defeat against the Netherlands could have meant elimination, a disastrous outcome for a home tournament. The pressure was immense.
Years later, revisiting the game for a BBC documentary, I was struck anew by the Dutch team’s quality and pace in possession. They were as impressive as I remembered. However, we scored first, from a penalty. Two moments stand out from that penalty incident. Firstly, Paul Ince’s exceptional skill that drew the foul from Danny Blind. Ince was outstanding 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, Edwin van der Sar loomed large in goal. I recall thinking, “He looks enormous. I have to place this perfectly into the side-netting, otherwise, if he guesses right, he’ll save it.” The relief when the ball hit the net was immense. It was my third goal of the tournament, ending that goal drought, and my confidence surged, permeating throughout the team.
The second half was when the true magic unfolded. Teddy Sheringham’s header from a corner made it 2-0, setting the stage for a period of dominance and brilliance that every footballer dreams of. My second goal, England’s third, is one I particularly cherish. I was calling for the pass, though admittedly, I half-expected Teddy to shoot given his excellent position. He feigned a shot, then squared it to me, and I unleashed a powerful strike. The trajectory, bending away from Van der Sar and into the top corner, was perfect. It’s among the sweetest strikes of my career.
⏳⏪ 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 forwards. In our opening game against Switzerland, a similar situation arose where I could have passed to Teddy for a tap-in. However, driven by my desperation to score after the drought, I shot myself, thankfully finding the net. In contrast, against the Netherlands, Teddy, known for his exceptional awareness and unselfish play, seemed to have a complete picture of player positions. Whether he saw or heard me calling for the ball, he made the unselfish pass. I was delighted when he later scored his second, making it 4-0. Incredible.
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Terry substituted both of us shortly after, a decision I wasn’t thrilled about at the time. While tactically sound, keeping us fresh for the knockout stages, my striker’s instinct was screaming for a hat-trick and the Golden Boot. However, on such a night, personal ambitions paled against the team’s success. It was ultimately the right decision.
Shearer and Sheringham celebrate after Shearer's goal against the Netherlands in Euro 96
Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham, a formidable partnership, celebrate Shearer’s goal against the Netherlands, showcasing England’s attacking prowess.
Watching the game’s final stages from the bench, the atmosphere was electric. Having played for England for four years, I’d never experienced anything like the euphoria of those days – first the victory over Scotland, and then this. “Football’s coming home” resonated everywhere.
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The dressing room and hotel bar afterwards were scenes of jubilation, filled with singing and celebration. We knew we had been part of something extraordinary. Expectations were low entering Euro 96, but thrashing the Netherlands 4-1 ignited a belief that “we might just have a chance here.”
The day after the game, venturing out for a haircut in Burnham, I was met with street parties still celebrating our victory. It was unprecedented. We were riding a wave of national euphoria. How far could it carry us?
It propelled us past Spain in the quarter-finals – narrowly, on penalties – and to the brink of the final, against Germany, again decided by penalties in extra time. We came agonizingly close. The “what ifs” linger: Gascoigne’s desperate lunge, inches from connecting with my cross for a Golden Goal winner, Gareth Southgate’s penalty miss in the shootout. So close, yet so far.
But we didn’t cross the final hurdle. That Euro 96 team reached a semi-final but never a final. Sport is defined by fine margins, and for years, England seemed consistently on the wrong side.
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This current England team feels different. They consistently navigate those fine margins successfully. While performances in Euro 2024 haven’t been consistently dazzling, they are relentlessly effective. Despite some criticism of their style, there’s an admirable resilience and determination. Under Southgate, England has become a formidable tournament team.
Wouldn’t it be incredible if England could replicate the Euro 96 magic against the Dutch in Euro 2024? Imagine Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka igniting the attack, Harry Kane adding to his goal tally. That’s the dream for fans, and surely for Gareth Southgate too.
England team at Euro 2024
England’s Euro 2024 squad, carrying the hopes of a nation, aim to surpass the achievements of the Euro 96 generation.
Realistically, a repeat of a 4-1 scoreline might be optimistic. A tight, tense semi-final seems more probable. Unless England’s performance level elevates significantly, it could be another nail-biting night. My commentator’s frustration might resurface if the free-flowing football doesn’t materialize. Semi-final stakes are immense, potentially inhibiting expansive play.
The brilliance of 1996 was unexpected. We knew we had talented players, but the collective synergy, the level of performance we achieved against the Netherlands at Wembley, surprised even ourselves. It was a performance so memorable that fans still recount it, emphasizing not just the victory but the feeling it evoked. Sadly, we didn’t lift the trophy that summer.
Even if Euro 2024 performances haven’t yet mirrored the heights of Euro 96, I sincerely hope Gareth Southgate and his team can emulate that spirit, go a step or two further, and finally bring home the trophy.
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(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
