09 March 1994
England 1-0 Denmark: David Platt

England captain David Platt scores the winner against Denmark in Terry Venables' first match in charge.



David Platt can claim the accolade of being in the top ten of England’s all-time goalscoring charts having scored 27 goals in 62 appearances for his country.

Platt, throughout his career, was mainly employed as an attacking midfielder often linking up with the front men to score goals with his trademark volley and injecting energy into the midfield.

His debut for the Three Lions came in November 1989 as they drew 0-0 with Italy at Wembley aged just 23. A year later he travelled to Italy in the World Cup squad and memorably volleyed his first ever goal in the Three Lions shirt when England beat Belgium right at the end of extra time in the second round.

However heartache was to follow for Platt as England went out of the tournament on penalties to West Germany in the semi-finals.

His exploits at the World Cup resulted in a move from Aston Villa to the Italian side Bari in 1991. This sparked off a four year tour of Italy, which featured stints at Juventus and Sampdoria.

During this period, Platt proved to be England’s most consistent performer eventually becoming captain. He was part of the England squad that made it through to the European Championships in 1992, coming through a tight qualifying group.

Platt’s fourth minute goal in the last group game against Sweden was the only moment of celebration for England fans during the tournament, as England went out of the championships in the group stages, having only scored one goal.

More disappointment was to follow as Platt and England missed out on the World Cup of 1994. The campaign did, however, feature Platt bagging four goals in the six-goal rout of San Marino in February 1993 and his goal tally for the campaign totaled an impressive seven.

Platt scored the first goal under Terry Venables’ regime in the 1-0 win over Denmark in 1994 and continued captaining England for as long as he was picked.

During the 1995/96 season, having moved back to England and Arsenal in the summer of 1995, Platt was hampered by a series of knee injuries and had to undergo two operations. Remarkably, he still managed to make Euro '96, in which he featured in four out of England’s five games.

His last kick in an England shirt was the penalty he scored in the shoot-out against Germany in Euro '96.