FRANK LAMPARD AND Ashley Cole may have converted penalties past Manuel Neuer at the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening but mention the word ‘shootout’ to an England fan and they will no doubt grimace at the bitter memories it evokes.
Six years after Germany had sent Bobby Robson’s side packing from the 1990 World Cup, two of continent’s biggest rivals met in a Euro ’96 semi-final at Wembley and again played out a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of football with Alan Shearer notching his fifth goal at the finals before Stefan Kuntz equalised.
Incredibly, all ten takers dispatched from the spot meaning sudden death was called upon. The sixth name on Terry Venables’ sheet was Gareth Southgate. Andreas Kopke guessed correctly, however, and kept out the centre-half’s tame attempt.
YouTube credit: MrGazMac
In 2004, hosts Portugal were the opposition at the quarter-final stage for Sven and his players. Back then, Michael Owen regularly played football and it took him just three minutes to get them off the mark. Despite Wayne Rooney’s injury, it was looking good until six minutes before the full-time when Spurs flop Helder Postiga came off the bench to head past David James.
Lampard cancelled out Rui Costa’s goal in extra-time, then Ricardo saved from Darius Vassell and the Portuguese keeper stepped up to score the winner himself.
YouTube credit: ClassicEngland
See also, World Cups… ’90 (v West Germany), ’98 (v Argentina), 2006 (v Portugal).
