Netherlands meet England for the 33rd time this Friday and there has been some classic meetings between the two nations. Michael Bell looks back at some of the most exciting encounters between Oranje and the Three Lions.
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England 0-2 Netherlands (1977)
Three years after just missing out on the World Cup, Johan Cruyff and Total Voetbal headed to Wembley for an international friendly. The Dutch dazzled in London and ran out winners thanks to a double from then NEC Nijmegen Jan Peters before the break.
The home crowd stood to give Netherlands a standing ovation at half time as Cruyff, Johan Neeskens and Rob Resenbrink all put on a show.
England 1-3 Netherlands (1988)
Netherlands most famous victory over England came at a crucial time in the group stages of Euro 1988.
Netherlands lost the opening game of the tournament 1-0 to the Soviet Union and were heading out should they fail to beat the English. Step forward Marco van Basten, who netted a brilliant hat-trick as Oranje ran out 3-1 winners. Bryan Robson had drew England level early in the second half before the striker struck twice in the last 20 minutes.
Netherlands then defeated the Republic of Ireland to move onto the knockout round and eventually lifted the trophy after avenging their loss to the Soviet Union in the final.
England 0-0 Netherlands (1990)
Two years later, Netherlands once again came up against England in the group stages of a major tournament. This time Italia 90.
Both nations drew their opening games of the tournament and couldn’t afford a defeat. England had the better of the game and were unlucky to have two goals disallowed, while Gary Lineker fired a great chance wide. Van Basten couldn’t repeat his heroics of 88 and the two nations settled for a draw.
Both would reach the knockout rounds but West Germany knocked out Netherlands in the first knockout round and England in the semi-finals.
England 2-2 Netherlands (1993)
Netherlands and England were drawn together in the qualifiers for the 1994 World Cup and the first meeting was an entertaining game at Wembley in April 93.
John Barnes and David Platt both netted early on to give England a 2-0 goal lead after 22 minutes. However, Dennis Bergkamp pulled one back before the break. With five minutes to go, Marc Overmars was brought down which led to a penalty and Peter van Vossen fired Netherlands to a valuable draw.
Netherlands 2-0 England (1993)
In October the two nations met again in a crucial qualifier with both nations struggling to keep up with leaders Norway.
The game in Rotterdam was edgy until the hour mark when Netherlands were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. Ronald Koeman stepped up and found the top corner to make it 1-0. Seven minutes later, Dennis Bergkamp sealed the win for Netherlands.
Norway would win the group with Netherlands finishing second and also making it to the 1994 World Cup. England were eliminated.
England 4-1 Netherlands (1996)
Three years later, England got revenge in their most famous win over Oranje.
At Euro 96 which was held in England, the home side ran out convincing winners thanks to doubles from both Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham. Netherlands were torn apart, but with 12 minutes to go, Patrick Kluivert pulled one back. A goal that meant Netherlands qualified for the knockout round.
Netherlands would lose to France in the next round while England lost to winners Germany in the semi-finals.
This was the last time that England beat Netherlands.
England 2-3 Netherlands (2012)
As both nations prepared for Euro 2012 they met in a friendly at Wembley, which took place just days after Fabio Capello resigned as England coach.
Bert van Marwijk’s Netherlands, that was still reeling after losing the World Cup final to Spain, took the lead thanks to a wonderful Arjen Robben solo goal on 57 minutes. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar then seemed to seal the win moments later when he bravely rose to head in Dirk Kuyt’s cross, which left the striker eating grass and looking dazed after a collision.
However, England rallied and drew level after goals from Gary Cahill and Ashley Young. However, another magical moment from Robben in injury time sealed victory for Netherlands.
England 1-2 Netherlands (2016)
The last meeting between the two nations saw Netherlands once again come out on top at Wembley.
Before the game, the stadium paid tribute to the deceased Johan Cruyff, by applauding in the fourteenth minute. England would go on to take the lead just before the break through Jamie Vardy.
However, Vincent Janssen equalised from the penalty spot after a handball in the box on 50 minutes. Janssen then set up Luciano Narsingh to net the winner with 13 minutes left.
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