For those too young to remember Italia 90, Nessun Dorma probably sounds like a Japanese hatchback. For the rest of us, this beautiful piece of music provided the perfect soundtrack to a World Cup that - although lacking in entertainment - was packed with iconic and emotive imagery. Nessun Dorma translates into ‘none shall sleep’ but the tournament was widely embraced by insomniacs as many of the contests became stifling tactical battles, with safety first approaches. Even the Brazilians failed to add any flair, and the competition was, on average, the lowest scoring of all-time.
England started this precedent during qualifying . The path to reaching the finals was a much more straightforward affair back then, England followed Sweden in a four-team group also featuring Poland and Albania. The Three Lions didn’t concede throughout and secured progress with a goalless draw in Stockholm, a match best remembered for the heroics of the blood-covered, rabid-looking Terry Butcher battling on despite a nasty head wound. Approaching kick-off, the usual national optimism and expectation was tapered by what was perceived as a fairly ordinary side, an opinion not enhanced by a warm-up defeat to Uruguay and draw with Tunisia.
The 23-man squad contained a couple of surprises with the omissions of Tony Adams and David Rocastle. The prolific Steve Bull was included despite his goals coming from the third tier of domestic football. Gary Lineker had just finished as the first division’s top scorer, with the young David Platt claiming the Players player of the year. Liverpool were champions and their trio of John Barnes, Peter Beardsley and Steve McMahon had plundered almost 50 goals between them. With the Heysel ban in place, five of the squad were based abroad, albeit Chris Woods, Terry Butcher, Gary Stevens and Trevor Steven were just north of the border with Rangers. Chris Waddle, or ‘Magic Chris’ as the French had imaginatively named him, had just won Ligue 1 with a strong Marseille outfit. The jewel in the crown was Paul Gascoigne who had brought a vibrancy to the team with his direct dribbling and eye for a pass.
Italia 90 was the culmination of Bobby Robson’s eight year stand, and after being undone by Diego Maradona in ’86, Robson almost lost his job following the debacle of Euro 88, when England were dumped out after losing all three games. As fate would have it – and a contrived draw so that the English fans were marooned on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia - England were paired in Group F with Holland and the Republic of Ireland – two side who beat them at the Euro’s – as well as Egypt. The Dutch, spearheaded by Milan’s triumvirate of Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten, were hot favourites to win the tournament but never found any rhythm and eventually went out in the second round.
Group F replicated the vibe of the whole competition and proved to be a cagey, low scoring section. No team managed to score more than once in a match and the games were largely devoid of incident and excitement. England got proceedings under way and started brightly, taking an early lead against the Republic courtesy of a Lineker poach. The plucky Irish battled on and earned a point when Kevin Sheedy replied. Next on the agenda was the Netherlands, with England seeking revenge for the humiliation dished out by Van Basten and co two years earlier. Die Oranje had been held to a draw in their first game with Egypt, yet Bobby Robson controversially switched to a five man defence with a sweeper. The move gained rounded criticism in the British press as being overtly negative, with Robson justifying his decision by saying he had, “no intention of allowing Van Basten and Gullit to rip holes in us.” In large the tactic paid off, and although the game ended 0-0, Robson’s men had two goals debatably ruled out whilst the Dutch posed limited threat. Yet another draw between Ireland and Egypt meant, all sides were locked on two points going into the final match, where a Mark Wright header against the Pharaohs secured progress.
Belgium lay in wait in the second round, yet the prospect of instant elimination only served to produce another sterile match. Inspired by Enzo Scifo, the ’86 semi-finalists outplayed England and hit the woodwork twice, although once again the English cursed errant officiating when John Barnes’s goal was flagged offside. Only David Platt’s swivelling volley in the dying embers of extra time spared penalties, and sent England through to a quarter final with the tournaments surprise package, Cameroon. The indomitable Lions were the first African nation to reach this stage and had brought some colour to a fairly bland tournament. 38-year-old Roger Milla was the star of the show having been coaxed out of retirement to score four goals from the bench. After Platt had put England ahead, the Africans retaliated to lead 2-1 with only seven minutes left, Milla coming off the bench to set up a goal and get dropped for a penalty, however, the naivety and inexperience of the Cameroonians got the better of them, conceding two penalties for brainless tackles which gifted England an escape route to a semi versus old rivals, West Germany.
The Germans were arguably the best team on show and had acquired a pathological habit of doing well in major events. Once again they rocked up in the Semi’s and were firm favourites thanks to an elite cast including Brehme, Kohler, Littbarski, Matthaeus and Klinsmann. In yet another close encounter, Brehme’s deflected free-kick looked to be enough for the Germans, before a trademark Lineker finish sent us to extra-time once again. The rest of the game proved a gut-wrenching experience, confirming England’s reputation as the bridesmaids of international football. First we had Gazza’s tears, then as the clinical Germans dispatched all of their spot-kicks, the heartbreak as Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missed. The misery was exaggerated as so much effort had been expanded in three close group games followed by another three gruelling knock out’s which all went the required distance. It wasn’t to be for England, or Bobby Robson who returned home once again as gallant losers.
The Germans went onto beat Argentina in an awful final which epitomised the whole tournament, whilst a shattered England lost out to Italy in the third place play-off. Gazza’s performances and tears endeared him around the world as a loveable rogue, and dear old Bobby was afforded the dignity of bowing out with his head held high. In truth, England failed to stand out in a tournament where no team stood out and were once again found wanting for quality and, more importantly, luck. Something those pesky Germans seem to have in abundance.
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