Gazza looks back at 'unbelievable' goal at Euro 96

Sunday 22 Feb 2015
Gazza volleys home against Scotland at Euro 96

Paul Gascoigne says his goal against Scotland at Euro 96 was his all-time favourite strike.

The former England midfielder netted a vital second for the Three Lions that clinched victory over the 'auld enemy' at Wembley Stadium.

Speaking as a guest on BT Sport's Fletch & Sav show on Sunday, 'Gazza' looked back on a career that saw him play 57 times for his country, scoring ten goals.

Gazza celebrates against Scotland with Teddy Sheringham

And the 47-year-old recalled fondly his volley against a side which featured many of his then Rangers team-mates - and remembered teasing them when he returned to Glasgow.

"Walking out at Wembley is one thing, but walking out at Wembley for your country is something else and it will live with me forever," said Gazza, whose career saw him play for Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio and Middlesbrough, among others.

"It was unbelievable. It couldn't have happened at a better time. I knew I was on form and playing well."

England were leading the Euro 96 group encounter thanks to Alan Shearer's opener. However, Scotland were given the chance to level when Tony Adams tripped Gordon Durie inside the box.

Gary McAllister stepped up to take the penalty, but David Seaman made a fine save to deny the Leeds United midfielder. 

And within two minutes, Gascoigne had secured victory after lifting the ball over Colin Hendry's head before drilling past Andy Goram.

"The one against Arsenal, the free-kick in the [FA Cup] Semi-Final took some beating," said Gascoigne of his goal, past Seaman, that helped Spurs reach the 1991 FA Cup Final.

Gazza celebrates for Spurs in 1991 Semi-Final

Gazza celebrates for Spurs in 1991 FA Cup Semi-Final

"But to play in the European Champion, at Wembley and to score against Scotland and some of their team I played with at Rangers was great."

He added: "Poor Colin Hendry, I bumped into him in London not long ago and he said 'Gazza, what are you doing I thought you live in Bournemouth?' I said 'What are you doing here, I thought I left you at Wembley?'" he joked. 

"Three months before the tournament I was getting hammered at Rangers.

"That goal, the celebrations, it was all in the papers and I made about fifty copies and stuck them all around the Rangers dressing room!"

Euro 96 also holds agonising memories for Gazza, who came within millimetres of scoring what would have been the winner against Germany in the Semi-Final.

Shearer's low cross in 'golden-goal' extra time rolled tantalisingly across the face of Germany's goal, but Gascoigne, sliding in, couldn't quite get the decisive touch in front of an open goal.

Gazza

Gazza dejected after England's Euro 96 fate was sealed

"If that was Lineker or Shearer they would have scored, but I thought the keeper was going to get a touch.

"I had that feeling for ages after, everyone saying 'oh Gazza, if you had have scored'. All the fans and the general public." 

The game went to penalties and while Gascoigne netted his, Andreas Kopke saved Gareth Southgate's spot-kick and Germany progressed to the Final where they beat Czech Republic.

It was Gazza's last appearance for England in a major tournament after he missed out on a place in the squad for France 98.

You can watch more from Gazza's interview on BT Sport here.

By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor