Bobby Robson’s England played a World Cup quarter-final 25 years ago that had us all on the edge of our seats.
We faced Cameroon, the African surprise package of Italia '90, in Naples - the first meeting between the two nations.
When David Platt, the unlikely hero against Belgium in the previous round, headed Stuart Pearce’s cross firmly past N’Kono after 25 minutes, it seemed that England only needed to produce more of the same to earn a comfortable victory.
David Platt header England in front in Naples
But that first semi-final appearance since 1966 – and the first ever on foreign soil – was starting to look out of reach after Kunde (with a penalty) and Ekeke had put Cameroon 2-1 up.
Then, with just seven minutes to go, Gary Lineker was hacked down a yard or two inside the box and stepped forward to take the penalty himself.
The pressure on one of England’s greatest strikers must have been immense – and a lot of us were probably hiding behind the sofa with the TV on at home. But the ball was sent speeding past N’Kono’s left hand and into the net.
Gazza takes on Cameroon
It was 2-2 after 90 minutes. Lineker was hauled down again in extra-time and this time he blasted his spot-kick straight down the middle for England’s winner.
The impressive Cameroonians were invited to play a Wembley ‘return’ seven months later, losing 2-0 on a February night when the temperature plummeted to minus 12.
Lineker scored both, the first a penalty.
England Team: 1 Peter Shilton, 12 Paul Parker, 3 Stuart Pearce, 14 Mark Wright, 5 Des Walker, 6 Terry Butcher (c) (20 Trevor Steven, 73), 17 David Platt, 8 Chris Waddle, 19 Paul Gascoigne, 10 Gary Lineker, 11 John Barnes (9 Peter Beardsley, HT)
