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Soccer

England vs. Spain: Where are the stars of the last time the Three Lions played Spain in a major tournament?

Ash Rose
England vs. Spain: Where are the stars of the last time the Three Lions played Spain in a major tournament?(C)Getty Images
The sides clash in Euro 2024 final this weekend.

England will play Spain in the final of Euro 2024 this weekend, as the curtain comes down on the tournament in Germany.

Despite being regular qualifiers at major finals, the two sides haven't played in a competitive competition since the quarter-finals of Euro 96, nearly thirty years ago. 

On that iconic occasion, the Three Lions prevailed via a memorable penalty shootout at Wembley, where Stuart Pearce's roaring outcry of emotion became a symbol of a glorious nineties summer. 

Ahead of their latest chapter, here's a look at what happened next to England's class of '96.


David Seaman 

The goalie was England's quarter-final hero as he saved Miguel Nadal's spot kick to see the Three Lions progress to the semi-finals. By this point, Seaman was already seen as one the best keepers of his generation and would earn 75 caps for his country as well as a glut of trophies with Arsenal. He retired after a brief spell with Manchester City in 2004 and has since been a regular after-dinner speaker and launched his own podcast. 

Gary Neville

Euro 96 was the young defender's first major tournament, and he would go on to stake his claim as one of the country's best-ever right-backs. Neville won 85 England caps and eight league titles in a career that saw him only represent the Red Devils. Since retiring in 2011, Neville has become a leading pundit on Sky Sports and ITV, as well as part-owner of Salford City, and has dabbled in TV appearances and politics. 

Tony Adams

England's skipper for the tournament, Adams, was embarking on a new lease of life following Arsene Wenger's arrival at Arsenal, and he spearheaded the Three Lions' charge. The centre-back won 66 caps for England and spent two decades with the Gunners before hanging up his boots. He briefly turned to management, with spells at Wycombe, Portsmouth, and abroad, but has since been more present as a TV personality, last competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022. 

Gareth Southgate 

The link that connects the Euro 96 team to the side that will compete on Sunday is the current England gaffer. Southgate played a huge role for the national team during the tournament, unfortunately becoming the fall guy with his penalty miss against Germany. He won 57 caps as a player before moving into management with Middlesbrough before joining the national set-up and getting the top job in 2016. He is currently England's most successful boss since Sir Alf Ramsey and a win in Berlin would propel him to a national hero. 

Stuart Pearce

The alluring image of the clash with Spain was Pearce banishing the demons of Italia 90 by converting his spot kick and letting out six years of pent-up emotion. The tough-tackling defender was a huge fan favourite and earned 78 caps for his country as well as establishing himself as a Nottingham Forest legend. After retiring, he went into management - including a spell as U21 boss - but has been out of work since leaving his role as assistant boss of West Ham in 2022. 

Steve McManaman

Seen as one of England's 'next generation' at the tournament, McManaman was already a firm part of Liverpool's first team before being a first choice for Terry Venables. He'd win 37 caps for his country and become one of the first big players to take advantage of the Bosman ruling by joining Real Madrid in 1999. In Spain he won two league titles and the Champions League twice and is seen as one of the club's best-ever English players. Since retiring has moved into punditry with TNT Sports and ESPN. 

David Platt

The elder statesman of the Euro 96 squad, the tournament was Platt's international swansong after making a name for himself at the World Cup six years earlier. Those displays saw him star in Serie A before he returned to England with Arsenal, picking up 62 England caps and donning the captain's armband. After retiring Platt went into management, including bossing the U21s and being part of the Manchester City coaching set-up. 

Paul Gascoigne

Most of Euro 96's most memorable moments fell at the feet of Gazza, but it would sadly be his last major tournament for his country. Often cited as one of England's greatest-ever players, Gascoigne was in his Rangers pomp during the summer of '96, and it never reached those highs again. He won 57 caps and went on to play for Middlesbrough but famously missed out on the World Cup in France. His off-the-field demons were never far away, but after a series of addiction battles, he's currently on the after-dinner circuit and is thankfully in much better health. 

Darren Anderton

Often referred to as 'sicknote', Anderton had an uncanny knack of being ready for major international tournaments when his country needed him. His 30 caps came during his twelve-year stint with Spurs in the Premier League and would also go on to play for Birmingham and Bournemouth before calling it a day in 2008. He has since moved to America, where he is used as a pundit for a number of stations. 

Teddy Sheringham

One half of the SAS, Sheringham was part of the England set-up all the way up to the 2002 World Cup - scoring the 'other' goal in that famous victory over Greece to qualify for Japan and South Korea. In all, he racked up 51 caps for his country in a career that saw him still playing club football into his forties. He has had very short stabs at management but was last seen dressed as a Tree on TV's The Masked Singer. 

Alan Shearer

The Premier League's greatest-ever goal-scorer had his finest England moments during the summer of 96 - despite coming into the tournament having not scored for his country for 18 months. He top-scored during the finals and would net 30 times for his country in 60 games before retiring from international football after Euro 2000. Infamously managed Newcastle upon hanging up his boots but quickly turned his hand to punditry and is currently the BBC's leading analyst for their football coverage. 

Subs... 

Steve Stone - An en-vouge pick at Euro 96, Stone only won 9 caps for his country and is now currently part of the coaching staff at Everton under Sean Dyche. 

Nick Barmby - Young forward who won 23 caps during his playing days but has had less lack in management with only two brief spells in the lower leagues. 

Robbie Fowler - Didn't see much action at Euro 96 and only picked up 26 England caps. Seen as one of the finest finishers of his generation, Fowler was last found managing in Saudi Arabia with Al Qadsiah. 

 

 

 

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