England take on a talented German side tonight in the last-16 tie at Wembley with both teams knowing if they win tonight they have an excellent path to the final on 11th July.
Every English football fans knows about England’s rival with Germany and many supporters will have bad memories of matches against the Germans.
The good times
Of course, there was the 1966 World Cup final 55 years ago when Geoff Hurst scored his famous hat-trick and Nobby Stiles did his dance.
For those old enough to remember it, it was an incredible time but sadly each major tournament the next crop of players have failed to deliver.
It wasn’t until Euro 2000 that England finally overcame the Germans again in a competitive game when Alan Shearer’s goal gave the Three Lions a nail-biting win in Charleroi.
Sadly, a Philip Neville error in the knockout stages against Romania once again saw England fail in a major competition.
In 2001, England enjoyed an incredible evening in Munich when Michael Owen scored a stunning hat-trick as the Three Lions came from behind to thrash Germany.
That team guided by Sven Goran Eriksson went to the 2002 World Cup full of confidence only to lose to Brazil after a David Seaman error.
The Bad Times
Four years after the World Cup win on home soil the Germans go their revenge in Mexico when they won 3-2.
And that was just the start of the pain!
In 1990, under Bobby Robson England found a new star in Gazza but on July 4th England met West Germany in Turin.
The game finished 1-1 after Paul Parker’s unfortunate own goal meant the game went to penalties – the Germans were precise with every kick while Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle’s poor efforts mean England went out.
Football was supposed to come home in 1996 – it was an incredible summer but ended in tears after the game finished 1-1 and like in 1990 it went to penalties!
Shearer, Platt, Pearce, Gascoigne and Sheringham all scored but then current England manager Gareth Southgate stepped up and missed!
It was down to Moller who scored meaning the Germans won 6-5 on penalties.
In October 2000, the old friends met in a qualifying match for the 2002 World Cup and more significantly it was the final match to be played at the old Wembley Stadium. Germany won the game 1–0 thanks to a Dietmar Hamann goal.
After the game England manager Kevin Keegan resigned from his position!
Eleven years ago the nations met again – It is remembered by England fans for Frank Lampard’s ‘ghost goal’ that wasn’t given – but in reality the Germans were far too strong that day.
There was no need for penalties – the Germans strolled to a 4-1 win thanks to goals from Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and a Thomas Muller double.
Even though it’s at Wembley the Germans will be favourites for the game – maybe not with all the bookies but with history on their side the England team won’t want this to go to penalties.
