The England XI that thrashed the Netherlands at Euro ’96

England face the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 this evening, in a clash that has fond memories for fans of the Three Lions.

England produced one of their greatest-ever performances the last time the teams met in a tournament, on a famous Wembley occasion at Euro ’96. The two teams each needed just a point to qualify for the knockout stages but it was the Three Lions who roared into the quarter-finals with a scintillating performance.

Terry Venables led England to a 4-1 thrashing of the Oranje under the famous arch, the country’s biggest-ever win in a European Championship at that time, to raise real optimism of success on home soil for the host nation.

Ahead of their latest showdown, we’ve remembered the England XI that thrashed the Dutch in 1996.

Goalkeeper: David Seaman

David Seaman had to be patient for his chance with England but by Euro ’96 was the established number one for the Three Lions. He played every minute of the tournament and saved a spot-kick from Gary McAllister in the group-stage win over Scotland before a stop from Miguel Ángel Nadal helped England eliminate Spain via a shootout in the quarter-finals.

Seaman won 75 caps for England before losing his place as first-choice in 2002.

Right-back: Gary Neville

Gary Neville made his England debut in 1995 and spent the next decade as an automatic selection at right-back.

The 1995-96 season had been a breakthrough campaign for Neville at club level as Manchester United won a domestic double before he helped England reach the semi-finals of Euro ’96 on home soil.

Centre-back: Tony Adams

Tony Adams recovered from a series of setbacks with England to captain the Three Lions at Euro ’96. The centre-back had endured a difficult Euro ’88 as England went out in the group stage, before missing the following three tournaments due to omission, injury and England’s failure to qualify.

He retired from international football in 2000, having scored five times in 66 appearances for the Three Lions.

Centre-back: Gareth Southgate

The now-England manager partnered Adams in central defence for the tournament. Having only debuted in December 1995, Southgate featured in every minute of England’s campaign at Euro ’96. In the semi-final, Southgate’s missed penalty saw England lose to Germany at Wembley.

Left-back: Stuart Pearce

Stuart Pearce rose from non-league football to make his England debut aged 25 and went on to win 78 caps for the national team.

He represented the Three Lions at the 1990 World Cup and missed a crucial spot-kick in the semi-final shootout defeat to Germany, before earning redemption with a converted kick as England beat Spain at Euro ’96. His outpour of emotion after scoring his penalty is one of the most memorable images of England’s tournament.

Right-midfield: Darren Anderton

Part of Terry Venables’ refresh of the England squad after his appointment, Anderton became a regular after his debut in 1994. Venables showed faith in the winger after he missed the majority of the 1995-96 season through injury, including the Spurs star who scored twice in a pre-tournament friendly and featured in every fixture of Euro ’96.

Anderton – who came agonisingly close to scoring a Golden Goal after hitting the post against Germany in the semi-finals – won 30 caps for the Three Lions but saw his role reduced due to injuries and the emergence of David Beckham.

Midfield: Paul Gascoigne

Paul Gascoigne became a household name after helping England to the 1990 World Cup semi-finals, with his tears after being booked in the defeat to Germany – a caution that would have ruled him out of the final – indelible in the memory of England fans.

Gascoigne recaptured his finest form at Euro ’96 after some difficult seasons, including that wonder goal against Scotland and an influential role in two goals during the dismantling of the Dutch. Arguably England’s greatest-ever natural talent.

Midfield: Paul Ince (David Platt, 68min)

Paul Ince made history after becoming England’s first-ever black captain in 1992 and the mid-nineties were the height of his tour-de-force midfield performances. Ince had been named in the PFA Team of the Year in three straight seasons from 1993 to 1995, as Manchester United dominated the early Premier League, before joining Inter Milan.

At Euro ’96, he was the box-to-box ball-winner to complement Gascogine’s craft and won the penalty from which England opened the scoring against the Netherlands.

What is Paul Ince’s legacy? Why England’s first black captain is football’s forgotten man

Left-midfield: Steve McManaman

Steve McManaman was curiously overlooked by England for much of his career, despite a dearth of left-sided options for the Three Lions. He won 37 caps and scored three goals, featuring in three major tournaments.

He was devastating in the 4-1 win over the Netherlands and involved in England’s first three goals of the game. At club level, McManaman became one of England’s greatest exports after winning two Champions League trophies and two La Liga titles with Real Madrid, following his move from Liverpool.

Forward: Teddy Sheringham (Nick Barmby, 77)

One half of England’s ‘SAS’ partnership in attack, Teddy Sheringham scored twice in the defeat of the Dutch in a career-best game in an England shirt. Often viewed as the perfect foil for an out-and-out goalscorer in attack, Sheringham scored 11 times in 51 caps for the Three Lions.

He spent the bulk of his club career at Millwall and Tottenham, though had his greatest success at Manchester United. Sheringham scored in the FA Cup and Champions League finals as United won the treble in 1998-99 and was named PFA Player of the Year in 2000-01.

Forward: Alan Shearer (Robbie Fowler, 77)

Alan Shearer’s place in the England side was being doubted heading into Euro ’96, despite a Golden-Boot winning season at Blackburn Rovers.

He emphatically answered question marks over his place by ending a 21-month goal drought for England with five goals to win the tournament’s Golden Boot. His return included a double to down the Dutch at Wembley, part of an overall haul of 30 goals in 63 appearances for the Three Lions. One of the greatest goalscorers England have produced.

Read – Euro Classics: England dismantle the Dutch at Euro ’96

See more – Netherlands vs England – Euro 2024 semi-final preview

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