PLATT’S THE WAY TO DO IT!
Platt 120
World Cup, June 26, 1990
Att at St Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna: 34,520
MATT BOZEAT
THREE LIONS fans sometimes tell David Platt: “You gave me the best night of my life.”
Platt instantly knows the night they are talking about. It was one of the best nights of his life, too.
He started it on the bench for England as they faced Belgium for a place in the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup.
From there, the then Aston Villa midfielder saw Bobby Robson’s side suffer a couple of scares as Enzo Scifo and Jan Ceulemans smacked shots off Peter Shilton’s post at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna.
England thought they had taken the lead in the 40th minute, only for the linesman’s flag to cut short the celebrations after John Barnes had converted Gary Lineker’s cross.
The game was still scoreless in the 72nd minute when Three Lions manager Robson brought on Platt in place of Steve McMahon.
And it was still 0-0 as extra-time brought up the 120th and final minute of the match.
Penalties were only seconds away when Paul Gascoigne made a burst into the Belgium half.
Right-back Eric Gerets brought him down, giving England a free-kick in what was described as “a good position” by BBC commentator John Motson.
Gascoigne aimed a looping freekick towards the back post and Platt anticipated the ball’s flight far better than the Belgium defence.
He peeled away from them and was standing on the edge of the six-yard box when the ball dropped over his shoulder.
Platt hooked his right-footed shot across the goal, past keeper Michel Preud’homme into the top corner.
The nation celebrated, as Platt sank to his knees and was then engulfed by his jubilant team-mates.