England have set up a Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands to evoke memories of one of their finest performances.
At Euro ’96, the Three Lions defeated the Dutch 4-1 in the group stage, advancing to the tournament semi-finals. It was the last time the two met in a major competition.
With their last-four tie on Wednesday, BBC Sport looks back on some of England’s most memorable performances since then.
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England 2-1 Denmark – 2021
After their 1966 World Cup victory, England recovered from behind to defeat Denmark in extra time, inspiring the public to believe that they may eventually win a big tournament again.
Mikkel Damsgaard struck a fantastic free-kick to put Denmark ahead, but Simon Kjaer’s own goal tied the game before halftime.
Captain Harry Kane then converted the rebound after his penalty was saved to complete the comeback in extra time.
England 2-0 Germany – 2021
If there was one game that lit up England’s Euro 2020 campaign, this was it. The Three Lions won their first knockout match against Germany in 55 years, securing a quarter-final position.
They left it late at Wembley Stadium, with Raheem Sterling and Kane scoring to cap a magnificent effort.
However, there were other notable moments. Thomas Muller had a golden opportunity to equalize for Germany, while Timo Werner and Kai Havertz had attempts stopped in both half.
In the end, England grinded out a win and gave fans optimism that Euro 2020 would finally be their time to break their trophy drought.
England 1-1 Colombia (4-3 on pens) – 2018
The Three Lions won their first World Cup penalty shootout, putting an end to their spot-kick woes.
Colombia’s Yerry Mina leveled in the final minute of normal time after Kane converted a penalty.
Jordan Henderson missed England’s first penalty kick in the shootout, but Mateus Uribe hit the crossbar, and Jordan Pickford saved Carlos Bacca’s attempt.
England 6-1 Panama – 2018
The style of England’s triumph made the group-stage match unforgettable.
It was their greatest World Cup win ever, with Kane scoring a hat-trick and defender John Stones adding two.
Gareth Southgate’s team was merciless in front of goal, displaying a clinical edge that proved critical in the remainder of their journey to the semi-finals.
Croatia 1-4 England – 2008
Theo Walcott, 19, shined in Zagreb, netting his first England goals in spectacular manner with a hat-trick during World Cup qualification.
Wayne Rooney also scored, ending his country’s 11-month goal drought.
Victory was sweetened by the fact that England had missed out on Euro 2008 after losing to Croatia at Wembley 10 months before.
Fabio Capello’s side exacted their retribution in stunning way.
England 1-0 Argentina – 2002
England’s World Cup failures to Argentina in Mexico in 1986 and France in 1998 were sad memories.
But this group-stage victory in Japan went some distance toward avenging those painful outcomes.
David Beckham converted a penalty to secure the match, but Michael Owen struck the post and Paul Scholes came close.
They advanced from their group but were eliminated by eventual champions Brazil in the quarter-finals.
England 2-2 Greece – 2001
The Three Lions left it late to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, having been 2-1 down as the clock reached 90 minutes.
However, David Beckham provided a wonderful moment at Old Trafford with a spectacular 93rd-minute equaliser, curling an excellent long-range free-kick into the top corner.
The goal meant his side avoided a tough play-off against Ukraine and booked their place in Japan and South Korea.
Germany 1-5 England – 2001
As perfect England performances go, it’s hard to get much better than this.
Behind after six minutes at Munich’s Olympiastadion, what followed was one of the Three Lions’ greatest displays.
Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard scored to give them a half-time lead.
Then, Owen scored two more to complete his treble, while Emile Heskey also netted as they humiliated their rivals on their own ground.
Italy 0-0 England – 1997
Glenn Hoddle’s men went to Rome needing a point to qualify for the 1998 World Cup and produced a commanding performance to see out a stalemate.
In what turned out to be Paul Gascoigne’s last competitive match for his country, England were patient and kept the ball to nullify a strong Italian side.
Their opponents had won their last 15 competitive matches, but the Three Lions’ composed and battling display kept them out.
England 4-1 Netherlands – 1996
The last major tournament game against the Netherlands provided one of the best performances in England’s footballing history.
Both teams only needed a point to get out of their group, but Terry Venables’s side triumphed in style, scoring four goals in just over an hour.
Alan Shearer scored a 23rd-minute penalty and netted again in the 57th minute, while Teddy Sheringham scored in the 51st and 62nd minutes.
Such an impressive victory boosted the feel-good fever around England’s home tournament.
They didn’t manage to go the distance in the end – losing to Germany in the semis on a penalty shootout – but this impressive group-stage win will always hold a special place in English hearts.
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