England Flashback: Italia ‘90 Semi Final vs West Germany

Remember this? If not, then you’re lucky because it was absolutely heartbreaking.

We went all the way to the semi-final at World Cup 1990, only to lose to West Germany on spotkicks. I was a youngster at the time and can remember it only in moments:

- Andreas Brehme’s free kick hitting Paul Parker in the arse and looping over Shilton.
- Gary Lineker’s very Lineker-like equalizer.
- Gazza crying his eyes out after that yellow card that would have kept him out of the final. (silver lining: turns out he had nothing to worry about)
- Lineker doing the international gesture for “keep an eye on him” when Gazza started crying.
- Peter Shilton diving the right way for every German penalty. Mostly because he seemed to be diving after the ball hit the back of the net (he was 40 years old at the time, I think) .
- Chris Waddle’s penalty miss. ‘Nuff said.

It was easily the most disappointing experience of my young England watching life. The first time I got really emotional about a football match (devastation was the emotion, in case you were wondering).

Well, now that match is going to be replayed.

Sir Bobby Robson (England manager for that semi-final of course) has organized a rematch at St James’ Park for this summer. July 26th to be exact. Latest news is that Gazza has signed up to play, which is good news in terms of Gazza’s health.

Not sure if Waddle is on board yet, but if he is then I hope for his sake that the game doesn’t go to penalty kicks.