Sweden

2-1

England

Eriksson 51

 

Platt 3

Brolin 82


European Championship
Rasunda Stadium
17 June 1992

After drawing their first two Group One matches 0-0, against Denmark and France, England were desperate for a win against their Swedish hosts in the Rasunda Stadium. A defeat would certainly put them on an early ‘plane home.

England had failed to qualify for the Euro Finals in 1984 and then lost all three matches in the ’88 Finals in West Germany. Surely they were due for some success in a tournament second only to the World Cup.

It had all started quite promisingly in Stockholm, David Platt bundling the ball into the net from Gary Lineker’s pass after just four minutes.

Joyous scenes greeted the goal and in those early stages the Swedes were clearly rocking. But England missed two good chances to increase their lead and the home side became more confident.

With the tall Ekstrom brought into the attack after half-time, Sweden took control and there were goals from Eriksson and Brolin to knock England out.

There was a sad moment midway through the second half when Lineker, one of England’s all-time greats, was substituted. He never played for his country again.

Team Details

Sweden: Ravelli, Nilsson, Eriksson, Andersson, Bjorklund, Schwartz, Ingesson, Thern, Limpar (Ekstrom, 45), Brolin, Dahlin

England: Woods, Batty, Pearce, Keown, Walker, Palmer, Platt, Webb, Sinton (Merson, 79), Lineker (Smith, 64), Daley

Referee: Jose Rosa dos Santos (Portugal)
Attendance: 30126