Euro 96 Group A

euro 96 logo England were seeded in Group A prior to the draw and played all their group matches at Wembley. Other games were played at Villa Park, Birmingham. This group brought together England and Scotland for the first time since the Home Championship was abandoned seven years earlier.

England and the Netherlands were favourites to qualify for the next stage but the Scots, wearing their wonderful "Braveheart" tartan strip, came agonisingly close.

Group A

England

Switzerland

England 1 Switzerland 1

Wembley Stadium, London (76,567)
8 June 1996

Switzerland, managed by one Roy Hodgson, managed to spoil English hopes of a win in their opening game, working their way back into the game after Shearer gave the home side an early lead. With seven minutes remaining, Kübilay Türkyilmaz scored from a penalty to earn a draw.

Netherlands

Scotland

Netherlands 0 Scotland 0

Villa Park, Birmingham (34,363)
10 June 1996

The Dutch were not at their best but still had most of the chances against Scotland, who were appearing in the finals for the second time.

Netherlands

Switzerland

Netherlands 2 Switzerland 0

Villa Park, Birmingham (36,800)
13 June 1996

The Netherlands took time to find their stride but two second-half goals were enough to ease them to victory.

England

Scotland

England 2 Scotland 0

Wembley Stadium, London (76,864)
15 June 1996

Alan Shearer put England ahead eight minutes into the second half and for a while, England were pinned back as the Scots fought for the equaliser. Luck was not on their side and after Seaman saved a penalty with his elbow, Paul Gascoigne scored a memorable goal to make the game safe for England.

Scotland

Switzerland

Scotland 1 Switzerland 0

Villa Park, Birmingham (34,946)
18 June 1996

Scotland came within a gnat's nadger of qualifying for the next phase. Having drawn with the Netherlands, they needed a win in this game to stand any chance of going through. With the Dutch losing 4-0, they were almost there but a late goal by Patrick Kluivert was enough to put the Netherlands into the next round by virtue of having scored one more goal than Scotland.

England

Netherlands

England 4 Netherlands 1

Wembley Stadium, London (76,798)
18 June 1996

A sensational display by England ensured they would go into the knock-out phase as group winners. Kluivert's 78th minute consolation goal was enough to put the Dutch through as well.