Barry Davies
BBC commentator at Wembley in 1996

“If he can’t take a challenge like that then I’m not quite sure what he’s doing playing at the top level of world football. He’s claiming there is an elbow, but it didn’t require him rolling about on the floor.”

The game’s gone Bazza. Imagine what it’ll be like in the future, refs will be blowing every time a keeper is challenged.  

Boos ring out from the England fans. Germany keeper Andreas Kopke is nobbled by Alan Shearer as they challenge for a high ball. Kopke goes down, indicates he was elbowed (he wasn't) and tries to milk it. The referee tells him to crack on...

Kevin Astley: A lot of heavy tackles between the English and the Germans. The players got straight back up afterwards too. 

Aron 'Jeff' Walters: Interesting to see in those days no-one dominated a football game just goes back and forth.. Much more entertaining

Dan Booth: The most surprising thing looking back to Euro 96 is that Anderton was fit for a whole three weeks 

Barry Davies
BBC commentator at Wembley in 1996

Image source, #euro96rewind

Barry Davies
BBC commentator at Wembley in 1996

“Sometimes you wonder if there are two Sammers on the field. He has this great knack of always being where he’s needed.”    

Matthias Sammer is an excellent player. If you don't know much about him, he plays for Borussia Dortmund. Surprised one of the Serie A giants haven't snapped up. The Bundesliga is nowhere near the same standard. He sweeps up another England ball as Germany build possession from the back.

Name cannot be blank: just remembered I've got a GCSE maths exam tomorrow. I haven't revised in like, 20 years.... Good luck to me!!

Dessie McKenzie: If only I could rewind back to this year. It was magical. 

Steven F. Galloway: Going to stay with this match till Southgate-gate. Then I'll think about all the times I've been dumped, just to cheer me up 

Ouch! Teddy Sheringham clutches his mouth after Thomas Helmer's swinging arm catches him when they battle for a high ball. Still got a frantic pace in this semi-final.

England have a corner... You know what happened last time.

Another routine is pulled from the training ground, Darren Anderton cutting back to his Spurs team-mate Teddy Sheringham on the edge of the box. But his hooked shot is blocked by Stefan Reuter.

Bit of a cat and mouse feel to this game now. Plenty of tempo, plenty of effort. Alan Shearer peels off to the right, keeps the ball in on the byeline, but his dinked cross is kicked out by Markus Babbel.

Paul_Nadirehs: Me mam asking if I was OK after Southgate's penalty miss, was nearly in tears 

Graham Lees: Bring back Brooking!

Deano Baggio: Look at the football we played under Venables, I would honestly and seriously rather he was manager NOW than Hodgson  

A great 1990s name, Deano!

England are warming up again now. Steve McManaman hasn't looked like the slight, shaggy-haired midfielder which has put fear into the most brutish of Premier League defenders in recent years. He has a bit of room now though, but his left-wing cross can't find a team-mate.

Half chance for England! I'll have to try that tactic (see 24 mins entry) more often. Darren Anderton swings in the ball from the right flank, into Alan Shearer who is lurking. The Blackburn striker sticks his forehead on the ball, but it lacks power and direction.

Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Wembley

“Germany are keeping the ball much better in the last five or six minutes. As soon as England have got it they have given it away.”

Nothing doing for England at the moment.  El Tel's side can't get out of their own half. No wonder his chin is planted on his palm.

Barry Davies
BBC commentator at Wembley in 1996

“This is a good spell for Germany. You’ve got to hand it to them, they’ve come back very well from giving away a sucker punch.”

Still Germany do most of the running. Andreas Moller is making them tick, with Dieter Eilts doing the donkey work. Moller has half a chance when he shoots from a tight angle. Tony Adams gets his sizeable frame in the way.

We'll give you really good odds on England.

I don't want to say it, but there's an air of authority about Germany now. After Matthias Sammer, that Rolls Royce of a sweeper, is clattered by David Platt, Germany begin to set up camp in the England half.