Friday 11 June 2010

Top 5 favourite England moments - 2) Gazza's goal versus Scotland

A second appearance in this countdown for one Paul Gascoigne and certainly, for my money, the defining moment of his England career. At 1-0 up, England had just conceded a penalty which was duly saved by goalkeeper David Seaman.

Within a minute or so, the ball was being looped forward into the path of the onrushing England midfielder who, displaying wonderful creativity, chose instantly to flick the ball, left footed, over the distraught figure of Colin Hendry.

As the ball dropped perfectly to Gazza's right foot, I remember feeling the rise of adrenalin, let alone the literal rise of my body, as we left our seats knowing the ball was falling perfectly for the volley.

That Gazza executed it with such aplomb was no mean feat, despite the collective expectation, and gloriously the ball nestled in the left hand corner of the Scottish net.

Memorably, the celebration recreated the controversial 'dentist chair' drinking incident, an embarassment when it became the focus of scandalous revelations about the squad's Asian tour exploits on the eve of the tournament.

However, if Gazza was lumbered with the ringleader tag in that controversy, he was now taking on the same mantle with regard to England's further success at the tournament.

See it in all its glory at 1 minute 30 seconds.

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