On This Day at the World Cup – June 26: An English Calcio Audition in Bologna

On this day at Italia ’90, England left it late, very late, but secured passage into the quarter-final with a slender victory over Belgium in Bologna.

The game was decided on a moment of brilliance from Aston Villa midfielder David Platt, who swivelled and turned to hit Paul Gascoigne’s lofted free-kick first-time with a tremendous volley that arrowed into the opposite corner of Michel Preud’homme’s goal.

There was only one minute remaining on the clock when Platt’s effort hit the back of the net, with penalties a mere minute away at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara

Platt had come on as a substitute for Steve McMahon in the 71st minute, and the goal catapulted the 24-year-old to fame. He would subsequently start in the following two games for England at the tournament.

The goal had a flavour of future Serie A about it, as both Gascoigne and Platt would play in Italy during the mid-90s. Platt would sign for unfashionable Bari in the summer of 1991, while Gazza was due to arrive in Rome to play for Lazio the same summer, only to injure his knee in the FA Cup final, and thus holding the deal back for a year. 

Another late show came some 16 years later at the 2006 World Cup in Germany – this time with an intervention courtesy of the other side of Rome. Italy were struggling to break down a dogged Australia side in the round of 16 in Kaiserslautern until a contentious penalty was awarded in the 94th minute.

Fabio Grosso was bundled over by Lucas Neil near the touchline, and referee Luis Medina Cantalejo pointed to the spot. Francesco Totti stepped up and, under enormous pressure, showed his cool to slam the penalty into the top corner of Mark Schwarzer’s goal.

Italy went through to face Ukraine in the quarter-final, Australia went home, and it was Totti’s ninth – and final – goal for his country. He retired after Italy won the trophy in Berlin that summer.

Totti is revered around Rome, and the city is home to homages and murals for the former forward. Find out where you can find them across the Eternal City.