San Marino: The Last Time
By David Barber
Thursday, 11 October, 2012
Video highlights of San Marino's last visit to Wembley in 1993
England 6-0 San Marino,
17 February 1993
Wembley Stadium,
England hit San Marino for six when they last faced the minnows 19 years ago.
That qualifying clash for the 1994 World Cup on 12 October was the only time the part-timers have visited these shores before.
David Platt was handed the Three Lions’ captaincy in place of the injured Stuart Pearce – and he responded in fine style.
The Juventus midfielder scored four times and, had he not missed a late penalty, he would have joined Malcolm Macdonald in the international record books.
San Marino may have been outclassed in the end but there was frustration for the 51,000 Wembley crowd as England made a slow start.
But they found the net on 13 minutes, John Barnes flicking on a Paul Gascoigne corner at the near post for Platt to score with a leaping header.
It settled some England nerves but the anticipated avalanche of goals was long in arriving with San Marino packing their defence and making some desperate clearances.
It was only 2-0 at half-time, Platt having netted on 25 minutes with another header from David Batty’s cross.
Gascoigne hit a free-kick inches wide and Tony Dorigo, Platt and Batty all had efforts which narrowly failed to add to England’s total.
Despite their dominance, England rarely looked convincing and there seemed to be something lacking in their play.
But some sustained pressure from the hosts in the second half eventually brought a third goal on 66 minutes.
Dorigo’s cross was turned on by debutant Les Ferdinand and Platt nipped in to take the ball round goalkeeper Benedettini to coolly tap home for his hat-trick.
San Marino were starting to tire under the onslaught and there were more goals to come.
The best of the match came on 78 minutes, Carlton Palmer diving full length to head in from Ferdinand’s excellent low cross.
And five minutes later, Platt notched his fourth and England’s fifth. Full-back Lee Dixon half-hit a shot towards goal and the Juve star diverted his effort wide of the keeper.
The sixth and final goal arrived four minutes from time, as Tony Adams powered in a header that thudded against the bar and Ferdinand followed up to head home.
But England still had time to miss a penalty.
Dorigo was bundled over by Manzaroli for an obvious spot-kick and Platt looked on in horror as Benedettini dived to save.
However, a late flurry of goals had given England and their fans the big win that they were expecting.
Watch highlights of that goal fest by clicking on our video player below.