World Cup 2018: England's 5 most memorable World Cup moments

#2: Gazza’s tears – World Cup 1990

Going into the 1990 World Cup, England fans weren’t expecting a lot of their side. They’d crashed out of Euro 1988 with three losses, and manager Bobby Robson had become somewhat maligned by a disillusioned press.

What they certainly didn’t expect was that the Three Lions would make it all the way to the semi-finals – only losing to eventual winners West Germany via a penalty shoot-out, making it their best tournament showing since 1966.

After a slow start – a dull draw with the Republic of Ireland – England switched systems, using Mark Wright as a sweeper and Paul Parker and Stuart Pearce as wing-backs, but what the change really did was take the shackles off midfielder Paul Gascoigne.

Blessed with ball skills considered unusual for an English player, ‘Gazza’ simply didn’t care who he was up against, and in astonishing performances against Holland, Egypt and Belgium, he shot to stardom thanks to his dribbling, passing range, and ability to slice through a defence.

After setting up winning goals for Wright and David Platt in the games against Egypt and Belgium respectively, it quickly became apparent that Gascoigne was England’s most important player, and their possible success could hinge on him.

After dispatching of Cameroon in the quarter-finals, England faced off with old rivals West Germany in the semi-finals. After scoring one goal apiece, the game headed into extra-time, when Gascoigne produced one of the most iconic – and heartbreaking – moments in England football history.

Lunging in at Thomas Berthold, Gascoigne missed the ball and took the player instead, resulting in the referee producing a yellow card. As he’d already been booked previously against Belgium, the booking meant that he’d miss a potential final should England make it there.

He was simply unable to compose himself and as his bottom lip began to wobble, tears were visible in his eyes. And the watching fans at home in England pretty much cried along with him. It was clear that to ‘Gazza’, the World Cup meant everything.

In the end, England lost a penalty shoot-out and so Gascoigne never would’ve had an opportunity to play in the final anyway. But with such a showing of emotion, ‘Gazza’ cemented himself as a true hero in the eyes of all England fans, and the fact that he never managed another World Cup with the Three Lions remains a true heartbreaker.

For some fans who witnessed the 1990 tournament, Gazza’s tears remain the most iconic England World Cup moment.