SOCCER - WORLD CUP - 1994
USA
1993
Qualifier - San Marino (0) @ (6) England - In their bid to qualify for the 1994 World Cup Finals in the USA, England comfortably beat the part-timers of San Marino at Wembley. Captain David Platt was the star, scoring 4 goals and he even missed a penalty in the final minute. Carson Palmer and Les Ferdinand (on his debut) completed the scoring. England led 2-0 at half-time. England also featured Lee Dixon, Des Walker, Paul Gascoigne and John Barnes (8, 45 minute hi-lites, BBC - Motson/Brooking, PAL)
Qualifier - England (0) @ (2) Holland - England and Holland were fighting for World Cup qualification when they met in Rotterdam, with the loser likely to miss out. England played well and had a great chance to score when David Platt was put through on goal but Ronald Koeman dragged him down on the edge of the area with only the keeper to beat. Miraculously, the referee didn't send him off. To rub salt in the wounds, moments later Koeman scored the opening goal with a subtle free-kick. The fight went out of the English team and when Dennis Bergkamp scored moments later, the England dream was over (8, 1 Disc, ITV - Moore/Atkinson, PAL)
Qualifier - England (7) @ (1) San Marino - England knew that Poland had to beat Holland and England had to score 8 goals for England to stand a chance to qualify. But the night started terribly as England conceeded in 9 seconds to give San Marino a 1-0 lead. England roared back to score 7 with 4 goals from Ian Wright but it wasn't enough as Holland beat Poland and England missed out (8, 1 Disc, SKY - Tyler/Thompson, PAL)