Ten great EURO moments: Gazza's moment of magic
Saturday, June 4, 2016
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Six days to go: UEFA.com continues its countdown to UEFA EURO 2016 by winding the clock back nearly 20 years to the day when Paul Gascoigne sent hosts England into raptures.
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The game: Scotland 0-2 England, EURO '96 group stage
The date: 15 June 1996
The location: Wembley Stadium, London
The protagonist: England midfielder Paul Gascoigne
What made it special?
Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne was a maverick, a mischievous, brilliant attacking midfielder who had his off-the-field problems but was the darling of a nation – never more so than on this memorable day in north London. England were already ahead against their great rivals but had survived a Scotland penalty and were still vulnerable until Gazza flicked the ball over Colin Hendry with his left foot and volleyed past Andy Goram with his right. Cue pandemonium.
What did it mean?
The hosts had drawn 1-1 with Switzerland in the opening game of the tournament and needed a victory to kick-start their campaign. The fact they were up against Scotland added extra spice, ensuring Gazza's moment of brilliance not only gave England momentum but also lit up the whole tournament.
How Gazza remembers it …
"To play in the European Championship, at Wembley, and score against Scotland, as well as against some of their team who I played with at Rangers, was great. Poor Colin Hendry. I bumped into him in London and he said: 'Gazza, what are you doing, I thought you lived in Bournemouth?' I said 'What are you doing here, I thought I left you at Wembley?!'"
Terry Venables, England manager at the time
"The ball bounced up and [Gascoigne] somehow knew that Hendry was coming across. He just whipped it up over his head and before it even hit the ground he hit it with power on his laces … straight in the back of the net. It was just amazing, but you're not surprised with him."
Steve McManaman, England midfielder
"It transformed our tournament. I truly believe it was that moment that spurred us on to reach the semi-finals."
Wayne Rooney, England captain
"He was a hero of mine growing up. I would dream of doing stuff he did, the way he ran with the ball. The stand-out moment has to be the Scotland game and the goal. I'm not sure about the celebration but the goal was great!"
What the papers said
"[Teddy] Sheringham and [Darren] Anderton had worked the ball forward from the left to leave Gascoigne confronting Hendry. It was a no-contest." The Guardian
"Mr Paul Gascoigne: An Apology." Daily Mirror
