On This Day – 26th March
It was on this day back in 2016 that England came from two goals down to beat Germany 3-2 in Berlin.
An impressive England display a few months before a major tournament normally creates a huge wave of optimism that they will come good and bring home a trophy. This time around, fans were quick to point out that the year ended in a six – just like 1966 when England last won a major tournament or even our run to the semi finals of Euro 96. It would all end badly though at the European Championships just a few months later.
The friendly with Germany started badly, with Toni Kroos opening the scoring after 43 minutes. Kroos was given time and space to hit a shot from 25 yards out and it flew past England goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Mario Gomez doubled the Germans lead in the 57th minute with a fine header. This time Fraser Forster was the England goalkeeper after he had come on at half time to replace Butland.
England came back though to record a sensational win. Four minutes after Gomez’s header, Harry Kane managed to score after creating an opportunity from a poorly defended corner. As the German defence dallied, Kane took the ball, spun around and fired a shot into the far corner of the net.
Jamie Vardy finished off a fantastic counter-attack to level the score on 74 minutes. The Leicester striker flicked in a backheel at the near post from a low cross from Nathaniel Clyne to score his first international goal.
Eric Dier powered in a header to give England a famous win as the clock ticked over into stoppage time. The Tottenham defender leapt highest to nod in and send the travelling England fans wild in celebration.
About Author
