ESPN Classics are showing the full match at 8pm tonight channel 429. They are also showing England V Paraguay at 11 this morning. Should bring back a lot of memories. Cant wait.
Is it actually that match? I've recorded it three times in the past and each time it was from 1966, despite saying 1986!
My dad turned the telly off in disgust after 2-0 and I never saw Lineker's goal.. I was 14 and I recall him slamming the remote into the sofa and swearing profusely.. When we beat them 1-0 in 2002 (Beckham pen) it was massive even though we had our backs to the walls all game.. great rivalry.
The match in 98 in France where Owen scored that stunning goal was a classic. Bloody Batty missing that penalty, was gutted for ages. 2002 was just brilliant, to get our revenge against them was fantastic and the whole nation was loving it, you actually thought England could do something at the tournament, but of course that was a false dawn again. The friendly in Switzerland a few years a go ended in England winning 3-2 in the last few minutes with another great finish by Owen. All the matches have been pretty tense affairs and there's alot of hatred in it from both sides. I agree it's a fantastic rivalry.
Englands team v Paraguay was; Shilton Garry Stevens, Butcher, Alvin Martin, Sansam Trevor Steven, Peter Reid, Hoddle, Steve Hodge Beardlsey Lineker. I reckon 8 of that lot would walk straight into the current team.
I'm guessing you'd drop Hodge, Reid & Martin? replace them with Ferdinand, Wilshire & Adam Johnson...?
I'd go: Shilts Stevens Ferdinand Butcher Cole Hoddle Wilshere Rooney Beardsley Barnes Lineker Awesome!
Not a chance. If you watch any old footage of players who were great at the time, it's clear to see how much better the standard of football has got at every level. Goalies used to dive for shots with their feet and obviously they missed, if they did that now they'd get slaughtered for it. The football was nowhere near as fluid as it is now, obviously the pitches and balls weren't as good but a lot of what is supposed to be 'great goals' are really just one good player running rings around a load of sunday-league defenders who fall over as he goes past them. Whilst the game perhaps isn't as entertaining now with its obession with running and fitness, it is to a much higher standard and I don't think that can be denied.
Nearly. I would play Ashley Cole instead of Sansam. I would keep Peter Reid, he worked so well with Hoddle. Though Hodge did play well in this tournament i would pick Johnson ahead of him. Even Rooney wouldnt get in. This England team was so well balanced. Ye ferdinand for Alvin Martin.
