When Southgate Missed A Penalty At Euro 1996

Gareth Southgate (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - Euro 1996 semifinal was Gareth Southgate's nightmare. His failure to execute a penalty made England lose to Germany.

Southgate did not miss a single game for the Three Lions in that tournament. Coach, Terry Venables always put him as a mainstay in the backline.

The meeting with Germany took place on June 26, 1996. The two teams drew 1-1 and went into the penalty shootout.

Germany won the penalty shootout 6-5. Southgate who became the ultimate kicker was the only player who failed to execute.

Unimaginable failure

Bobby Bowry, who played with Southgate at Crystal Palace, came to Wembley Stadium that day. Southgate's failure was unimaginable to him.

The moment he found out Southgate was advancing as one of the executioners, his confidence was full. "He (even a defender) is a good striker with both feet," Bowry told Sky Sports, quoted Monday, July 12.

"I was absolutely sure he would score... One year ago we played Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final. So we practiced penalties that week and he beat them happily."

"But doing it in training and in front of 70,000 people is a completely different thing," added Bowry.

Southgate's shot was saved by German goalkeeper Andreas Kopke. Andreas Moller, who became Germany's extra kicker, did a smooth job.

Germany advanced to the final and became the champion of Euro 1996. In the top match, they beat the Czech Republic with a score of 2-1.

Haunting Southgate

Recently, Andreas Kopke had mentioned Southgate's failure in 1996. On the occasion of the England-Germany meeting in the round of 16 of Euro 2020, Moller revealed the pressure he also experienced in the legendary 1996 match.

"When the time comes and the game goes to penalties, you realize your key role and responsibility as a goalkeeper. That's why I am very concentrated," said Kopke.

Kopke who is 59 years old also explained how he could parry Southgate's kick. According to Kopke Southgate's failure occurred because Southgate did not place the ball.

Gareth Southgate (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

"England's first five kickers did it with super shots. Then the sixth penalty taker. Southgate was the first (kick) without placement. And I can save him," said Kopke.

Southgate himself had admitted how Euro 1996 was the toughest moment in his professional career. Southgate's regrets were not redeemed for decades after that game.

"You are probably in the biggest game the team has had in 30 years at that point. The country is in a tidal wave of good emotions and feelings," Southgate said.

"And then you walk away from the stadium feeling that you are the one who is ultimately responsible for the failure."

"I never feel angry. (I) just feel sorry and responsible. In a small measure that feeling still lives with me, failing under pressure under the big spotlight is hard to accept professionally."

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