Great Anglo-Dutch clashes: Euro 96 joy, Arsenal destroy Twente, Ajax crush Liverpool
As Scott Parker prepares to lead England for the first time against the Netherlands at Wembley tonight, talkSPORT takes a look at three memorable encounters between the two national teams and three between English and Dutch club sides…
FEYENOORD 2-0 Spurs, UEFA CUP FINAL: 1973/74
Following a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane, Spurs returned to the Netherlands hoping to secure a second UEFA Cup crown in as many years. Unfortunately for the great Bill Nicholson's side, a goal in each half from the Dutch outfit was enough to secure a superb double, having already wrapped up their Eridivisie title.
THE NETHERLANDS 2-0 ENGLAND, WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: OCTOBER 1993
England led the Netherlands by one point in the battle for second spot and qualification for the 1994 World Cup from Group 2 heading into this tie. Graham Taylor's men needed a draw in Rotterdam to retain an advantage over the Flying Dutchmen, but were left feeling sorry for themselves when Ronald Koeman - lucky to escape a red card for cynically pulling back David Platt when he was through on goal - opened the scoring for the Netherlands. A late Dennis Bergkamp effort sealed England's fate, who failed to progress despite spanking San Marino for seven a month later. Graham Taylor's touchline musings did, at least, offer some light entertainment.
ENGLAND 4-1 THE NETHERLANDS, EURO 1996 GROUP A: JUNE 1996
England's resounding victory sealed top spot in Group A at Wembley Stadium and ensured a quarter-final date with Spain a week later. Shearer and Sheringham grabbed a brace each as the Three Lions raced into a 4-0 lead and, although Patrick Kluivert notched a late consolation for the Netherlands, football fever across England remained in patriotic full-flow.
ARSENAL 4-0 FC TWENTE, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND: AUGUST 2008
Build up to this final qualifying round for the Champions League group stages surrounded ex-England boss Steve McClaren, in charge of Twente with a new shnazzy accshent, returning to British soil for the first time with his Dutch charges. Already rank outsiders after a 2-0 defeat in the Netherlands, McClaren and Twente were outclassed and comprehensively beaten by a Arsenal side brimming with world class talent. Samir Nasri gifted the Gunners a 1-0 lead at half-time while William Gallas, Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner provided the emphatic score-line Arsenal's performance merited in the second-half.
THE NETHERLANDS 3-1 ENGLAND, EURO 1988 GROUP B: JUNE 1988
A dismal record of three defeats out of three at the finals in Germany ensured Bobby Robson's side flew home red-faced and the worst of those score-lines came against eventual winners, the Netherlands, inspired by Marco van Basten who scored a superb hat-trick. England had the Dutch level at 1-1 heading into the final 20 minutes, but two Van Basten strikes in four minutes consigned the Three Lions to successive defeats, having lost their opening game to Ireland.
AJAX 5-1 Liverpool, EUROPEAN CUP SECOND ROUND FIRST LEG: DECEMBER 1966
Liverpool were well and truly humbled in the Olympisch Stadion and save for Chris Lawler's late strike it would have been a complete whitewash. In treacherously foggy conditions, the Dutch pass masters were already 4-0 up at the break thanks to a Klass Nuninga double and strikes from Johan Cruyff and Cees de Wolf. Henk Groot added a fifth and despite Bill Shankly promising to overturn the tie at Anfield, the return leg ended all square. The result represented something of a surprise and, though Ajax were eventually dumped out by Dukla Prague, they would soon taste European success for the first time.