July 7 – Shilts and Bobby Bow Out
THE third-fourth play-off match is a curious beast. It tends to be one of the more pointless games in international football, although we were treated to a humdinger by Spain and South Africa in the Confederations Cup last month. The FA even gave it a try for the FA Cup in 1970, but when only 15,105 turned out to watch Manchester United defeat Watford at Highbury, the idea was wisely curtailed.
Today in 1990 England took on the hosts in the Italia 90 bronze medal match, in what marked the end of two England greats’ international careers.
Bobby Robson, who had been appointed England manager exactly eight years earlier to the day, was taking charge of the Three Lions for the last time, having finally won over a sceptical press and public alike during the tournament.
Uncle Bobby’s national team service had begun way back in 1957, when he made his playing debut as sprightly 24-year-old, when the West Brom right-half pulled on the England colours against France, scoring twice in a 4-0 win.
He would go on to gain 20 caps, scoring four goals before moving into management. After Robson brought success to Ipswich Town, the FA hoped for a similar result from last time they plundered Portman Road and came back with a certain Alf Ramsey.
One of Robson’s key players through his tenure in the England hot-seat was Peter Shilton, who won his record 125th, and final England cap against Italy.
Shilton made his league debut way back in 1966, and first turned out for England in 1970 in a friendly against East Germany. Had it not been for Ray Clemence who won 60 caps during Shilton’s era, the former Leicester, Stoke, Forest, Southampton and Derby ‘keeper could have closed on a ridiculous 200 caps.
The game itself was fairly unremarkable affair, with the two sides knackered from their penalty shoot-out semi-final losses.
England were missing Paul Gascoigne after his tear-inducing yellow card against Germany and fell behind to a goal from Roberto Baggio, who became the world’s most expensive player days afterwards when he joined Juventus from Fiorentina for £8m.
David Platt, one of the English revelations of the tournament who later returned to Italy as a player, equalised with ten minutes remaining, but Golden Boot winner Toto Schillaci slotted a penalty past Shilton with four minutes remaining to give Italy the bronze medal.
For some more World Cup action from today click here, and join us tomorrow as we keep the footy history coming.
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