VIDEO: England 2-2 Holland, 1988
Friday, 24 February, 2012
The two nations met at Wembley in March 1988.
Last remaining tickets for Holland's next visit to Wembley on Wednesday 29 February are still available to buy priced at £65, £55, £45, £35
Hotline: 0844 826 2010
Click here to see highlights of the game and the thoughts of Tony Adams and Bryan Robson.
The Dutch vintage of ’88 was a particularly good one and, three months after meeting Bobby Robson’s England in a friendly, they were crowned European Champions in Munich. Koeman, the rugged PSV defender, was at Wembley and so was world star Gullit – but his AC Milan team-mates Van Basten and Rijkaard were unavailable.
England and Holland had been drawn in the same group in the Euro Finals, so there were sure to be some interesting pointers at Wembley. A crowd of 74,590 saw England come close to scoring in the opening minute, Van Breukelen leaping spectacularly to save a John Barnes header. The home side kept up the momentum to go ahead on 12 minutes, Gary Lineker’s terrific pace taking him clear of the defence to coolly slot home.
The FC Barcelona striker was a phenomenon, having now scored 24 goals in 24 internationals.
It was looking good for England at that point but the Dutch suddenly moved up a gear. Gullit used his intelligent running and great skill on the ball and England began to look vulnerable. Koeman sent Wouters down the right and his low cross was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Tony Adams for the equaliser on 21 minutes.
Seven minutes later Holland were 2-1 up. Gullit jumped with Kenny Sansom, the difference in heights only too apparent, and the ball fell for Van Aerle. He crossed immediately for Bosman to score with a header which gave Peter Shilton no chance in England’s goal. Gullit nearly put the Dutch in an unassailable position just after the restart but both Wouters and Bosman failed to make the most of an exquisitely chipped pass by the dreadlocked genius.
He was substituted on the hour and it probably wasn’t a coincidence that England levelled at 2-2 almost immediately. A Trevor Steven free-kick curved into the box and Adams made up for his earlier indiscretion by heading the ball into the right net this time. England looked good for a winner after that, with substitute Glenn Hoddle dazzling the Wembley crowd with his classy touches, but the Dutch rearguard stayed solid and in the end a draw seemed to suit everyone.
Now for the more important business in the summer, when England would meet Holland in Dusseldorf in the Euros.
1988
They liked Rain Man at the Academy Awards. It was ‘Best Picture’ and had the ‘Best Director’ in Barry Levinson and ‘Best Actor’ in Dustin Hoffman. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and Die Hard also proved popular with audiences. There were hit singles for Phil Collins with A Groovy Kind of Love and the Pet Shop Boys with Always On My Mind, while Belinda Carlisle told us that Heaven is a Place on Earth. And…the English pound note ceased to be legal tender.
Last remaining tickets for Holland's next visit to Wembley on 29 February are still available to buy priced at £65, £55, £45, £35
Hotline: 0844 826 2010
Website: www.TheFA.com/tickets
Disabled supporters:
Hotline: 0845 458 1966