Whenever discussions arise about my most cherished moments representing England, two memories instantly spring to mind. The first is the immense honour of being named captain. The second, indelibly etched in my memory, is the night we dominated the Netherlands, securing a resounding 4-1 victory at Wembley during Euro 96. As the Euro 2024 semi-final lineup solidified, that game from ’96 immediately resurfaced in my thoughts, a vivid reminder of past glories as England prepares to face potentially the Netherlands again in Euro 2024.
My mind races back to that electric atmosphere. I picture myself in the penalty area, witnessing Paul Gascoigne’s brilliant run, weaving through Dutch defenders before laying it off to Teddy Sheringham. I can almost feel the anticipation as I yelled for the pass, and then the pure elation of striking the ball perfectly into the top corner. The explosion of joy that followed, shared with teammates, staff, and the roaring supporters, was truly unforgettable. We were in dreamland.
To call that performance the pinnacle of my England career, spanning from 1992 to 2000, might even be an understatement. In my lifetime, and perhaps for many England fans, it stands as the most complete and dominant display by the national team. As we look ahead to potential matchups in Netherlands Euro 2024, it’s a benchmark performance that lingers in the collective memory.
To be frank, when considering England’s best performances, the Euro 96 victory over the Netherlands faces very little competition, historically speaking.
The decades of the 70s and 80s were largely barren for the England squad. While the 1990 World Cup provided a glimmer of hope, culminating in that agonizing semi-final loss to Germany on penalties – a fate that would repeat itself at Euro 96 – true consistent dominance remained elusive. The 1998 World Cup saw another valiant effort against Argentina, ending once again in penalty heartbreak. The 5-1 triumph over Germany in Munich in 2001 was undoubtedly spectacular, but as a World Cup qualifier, it lacks the same tournament significance.
Advertisement
It’s only in recent years, particularly since Gareth Southgate’s tenure, that England has begun to consistently deliver on the big stage. We’ve witnessed dramatic moments: the penalty shootout victory against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup; the progression to the Euro 2020 final, overcoming Germany, Ukraine, and Denmark along the way; and comfortable wins against Iran, Wales, and Senegal at the 2022 World Cup. Even recent, albeit less prominent, victories over Slovakia and Switzerland demonstrate a newfound resilience.
However, when evaluating single-match performances, nothing quite reaches the zenith of that Tuesday night, June 18, 1996. On that night, we embodied everything our manager, Terry Venables, had instilled in us – we were playing with belief and flair. This is the standard that fans will subconsciously measure the team against as they hope for success in Netherlands Euro 2024.
Alan Shearer Euro 96 Goal Celebration vs Netherlands
Shearer celebrates scoring against the Netherlands on a magical night (Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)
There’s a reason why, nearly three decades later, fans and pundits alike still reminisce about that game. Its legendary status hasn’t been manufactured by nostalgia; it was palpable even as we walked off the Wembley pitch. At 4-0 up with a significant portion of the match remaining, the magnitude of the achievement was undeniable.
It was one of those rare occasions, especially in international football and particularly for England, where everything clicked into place. As England heads into Euro 2024, fans yearn for this level of cohesion and brilliance.
Growing up, Dutch football held a certain mystique. The “Total Football” philosophy pioneered by Johan Cruyff and the Netherlands teams of the 1970s was revolutionary. Then came the iconic 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, a team brimming with youth, defeat the legendary AC Milan in the 1995 Champions League final. That Ajax side boasted names like Edwin van der Sar, the De Boer twins, Michael Reiziger, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, Marc Overmars, and Patrick Kluivert – all characterized by their speed, skill, and intricate, often one or two-touch, passing game, a style previously unseen.
Advertisement
When England was drawn alongside the Netherlands in the Euro 96 group stages, many immediately assumed we were vying for second place. England’s recent tournament history was underwhelming: group stage exit at Euro 92, failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. As hosts of Euro 96, the two-year build-up had been solid but unspectacular. Personally, I had endured a 12-game goal drought for England leading up to the tournament. The looming Netherlands fixture in Euro 2024 brings back memories of that underdog status, and the potential to surprise.
One tactical element I distinctly remember from the Euro 96 preparation was Terry Venables’ emphasis on tactical flexibility. He drilled us on various formations – starting with a 4-4-2, but seamlessly transitioning to a back three, a midfield diamond, or even a 4-3-2-1 “Christmas tree” formation, depending on the game situation.
On paper, our formation against the Netherlands appeared to be a conventional 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 in midfield; and Teddy Sheringham partnering me upfront.
England Euro 96 Lineup vs Netherlands
However, the reality on the pitch was far more dynamic. Venables’ tactical blueprint encouraged fluidity. Gary Neville or Gareth Southgate would occasionally step into midfield, Steve McManaman would advance high on the right flank, and Darren Anderton would drift infield. Teddy Sheringham possessed the intelligence to alternate between playing alongside me and dropping into a deeper role. This constant movement and positional interchange were central to Terry’s master plan, a tactical approach that could be beneficial for England in Netherlands Euro 2024.
Instead of focusing solely on neutralizing the Dutch stars, Terry’s audacious strategy was to challenge them at their own game. It was a bold move, particularly considering the group dynamics. In Euro 96, only the top two teams advanced to the knockout stages. A loss to the Netherlands could have meant elimination, a devastating prospect for a home tournament, and a stark reminder of the high stakes potentially awaiting England in Netherlands Euro 2024.
The pressure was immense. And as England looks towards Euro 2024, navigating pressure situations will be crucial for success.
I recently re-watched the Euro 96 game for a BBC documentary, the first time in many years. It reaffirmed my memory of the Dutch team’s quality and speed in possession. They were as good as I remembered.
However, we drew first blood with a penalty, which I converted. Two key moments stand out from that penalty sequence. Firstly, Paul Ince’s exquisite skill to draw the foul from Danny Blind. Incey was a phenomenal player, especially during 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 recall seeing Edwin van der Sar in goal. He looked enormous. I knew I had to aim precisely for the side-netting; anything less, and with Van der Sar’s stature, he would likely save it. Facing formidable goalkeepers will be a challenge England might encounter in Netherlands Euro 2024, so precision and composure in attack are paramount.
The relief when the ball hit the back of the net was immense. It was my third goal of the tournament, ending that long goal drought, and my confidence surged. That confidence permeated throughout the entire team, a crucial element that the current England squad will need to cultivate as they progress through Netherlands Euro 2024.
Advertisement
The second half witnessed an explosion of England’s attacking prowess. 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.
My second goal, England’s third, is one I particularly cherish. I vividly remember screaming for the ball, though I half-expected Teddy to shoot himself, given his excellent position. He feigned a shot but instead, unselfishly, squared it to me. I didn’t hesitate; I just put my head down and unleashed a powerful strike. The trajectory, bending away from Van der Sar and into the top corner, was perfect. It remains one of the sweetest strikes of my career. Such clinical finishing could be decisive for England in the crucial moments of Netherlands Euro 2024.
⏳⏪ 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 goal also highlights the contrast between Teddy and myself as forwards.
In our opening group game against Switzerland, a similar scenario arose where I had the opportunity to pass to Teddy for a simple tap-in. However, I opted to shoot myself. Teddy, I’m sure, wasn’t surprised; my desperation to score after the drought was evident. Thankfully, it went in.
[
GO DEEPER
What can England expect from the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final?](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5621522/2024/07/08/netherlands-tactics-england-euro-2024-semi-final/)
Conversely, in the Netherlands game, when Teddy had possession in a similar position, I wasn’t even certain he’d seen or heard me, despite my raised arms and shouts. But Teddy possessed exceptional spatial awareness, always knowing the positions of his teammates. He was an incredibly intelligent and selfless player, and I was delighted when he scored his second goal, pushing the score to 4-0. Incredible. Such unselfish play and team cohesion will be vital for England’s success in Netherlands Euro 2024.
Shearer Sheringham Euro 96 Goal Celebration
Shearer celebrates with Sheringham after getting his goal (Stu Forster/Allsport/Getty Images)
Terry substituted both of us shortly after, a decision I wasn’t entirely thrilled about at the time. His rationale, rightly, was to conserve energy for the knockout stages, keeping us fresh. However, as a striker in form, I was thinking, “Hang on, I could get a hat-trick here! I’m chasing the Golden Boot!” But on a night like that, individual accolades paled in comparison to the team’s performance. It was undoubtedly the correct decision for the team’s overall benefit, a team-first mentality England will need to embrace in Netherlands Euro 2024.
[
GO DEEPER
England starting XI to face the Netherlands: Drop Kane? Guehi back? Eze for Foden?](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5623300/2024/07/08/england-team-netherlands-euro-2024/)
Watching the game’s final minutes from the bench, the Wembley atmosphere was electric. Having played for England for four years, I had never experienced anything like those few days. The euphoria following the victory over Scotland on Saturday was amplified by this Dutch demolition. “Football’s coming home” resonated deeply, becoming more than just a song.
The atmosphere extended into the dressing room and the hotel bar afterwards. Celebrations were joyous, with drinks flowing and songs echoing. We were acutely aware of having been part of something truly special that night. The current England squad in Netherlands Euro 2024 will be aiming to create similar unforgettable moments and forge a lasting legacy.
England Scoreboard Euro 96 Netherlands
A scoreline for the ages at Wembley (Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Expectations were relatively low entering Euro 96, but thrashing the Netherlands 4-1 ignited a belief within us. We started to genuinely believe, “We might actually have a chance here.” This newfound belief and momentum could be pivotal for England as they navigate the challenges of Netherlands Euro 2024.
I remember venturing out for a haircut in Burnham the next day. Stepping out of the taxi, I was met by a street party atmosphere. 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. The question was, how far could it carry us? Can the current England team in Netherlands Euro 2024 capture that same wave of national support and ride it to victory?
That wave propelled us past Spain in the quarter-finals – a nail-biting penalty shootout victory. It carried us to the semi-finals against Germany, ending in extra time and, agonizingly, penalties. We came so close to reaching the final. The “what ifs” linger: Gazza’s desperate lunge, inches away from connecting with my cross for a potential Golden Goal winner in extra time; Gareth Southgate’s missed penalty in the shootout. So incredibly close. England’s journey in Netherlands Euro 2024 will undoubtedly be filled with such high-pressure moments, demanding resilience and composure.
But we fell short. That Euro 96 team reached a semi-final, but not the final. Sport often hinges on the finest of margins, and for years, England seemed perpetually on the wrong side of them – penalties, close calls, missed opportunities.
[
GO DEEPER
England and France haven’t produced ‘good performances’ at Euro 2024 – but what does that mean?](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5624022/2024/07/09/england-france-performance-euro-2024/)
This current England team feels different. They consistently find themselves on the right side of those tight margins. While their performances in the current tournament might not be flawless, they possess an admirable ability to get the job done. Despite some criticism of their style, under Gareth Southgate, England has become adept at tournament football. This pragmatic approach could be key to navigating the challenges of Netherlands Euro 2024.
It would be truly special to witness England replicate the magic of 1996 against the Dutch, perhaps even in Netherlands Euro 2024. Imagine Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka conjuring moments of brilliance, Harry Kane finding the net with his clinical finishing. That’s the dream scenario for fans, and undoubtedly for Gareth Southgate too.
England Euro 2024 Team Photo
England are yet to click at Euro 2024 — but they’re in the semi-finals (Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)
Realistically, another 4-1 thrashing might be wishful thinking. A tight, tense affair seems more probable. Goals might be scarce. It could be another nerve-wracking night for England supporters. The semi-final of Netherlands Euro 2024 will likely be a tactical battle, not a free-flowing goal fest.
Unless England’s performance level elevates significantly, I may find myself voicing my frustrations in the commentary box, mirroring my recent critiques. England hasn’t played with uninhibited attacking flair in this tournament, and a dramatic shift in a high-stakes semi-final seems unlikely. However, tournament football is often about grinding out results, and England has shown they can do just that.
Advertisement
The remarkable aspect of 1996 was the unexpected explosion of collective brilliance. We knew we had talented individuals and strong personalities within the team, but I don’t think even we fully grasped our potential, as a unified England force, until that unforgettable night at the old Wembley.
It was a performance so captivating that people still approach me to discuss it – reminiscing about the quality of our play and the emotions it evoked. Sadly, we didn’t lift the trophy that summer. The current England squad in Netherlands Euro 2024 aims to go further.
Even if their performances in this European Championship haven’t yet reached those stratospheric heights, I sincerely hope Gareth Southgate and his players can emulate the spirit of ’96, overcome the obstacles, and ultimately finish the job, bringing the trophy home. The legacy of Euro 96 serves as both inspiration and a reminder of the fine line between glory and heartbreak in major tournaments, a lesson England will carry with them into Netherlands Euro 2024.
[
GO DEEPER
England 4-1 Netherlands at Euro 96: Three Lions’ greatest win in tournament?](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2646949/2021/06/21/england-netherlands-euro-96-shearer-sheringham/)*(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)*
