What if England had lost to Belgium at Italia 90?

2021-06-18

It has been argued that Italia 90 changed English football forever. More than that, it had long lasting effects on English society far beyond football. So much of that stems from England's run to the semi finals, the agony of a penalty defeat and Gazza's tears that night in Turin. But what if it had never got that far? What if England had been eliminated in the Last 16 by Belgium instead? How might the tournament be remembered, and what might its impact have been instead? We talk the football,...

It has been argued that Italia 90 changed English football forever. More than that, it had long lasting effects on English society far beyond football.

So much of that stems from England's run to the semi finals, the agony of a penalty defeat and Gazza's tears that night in Turin.

But what if it had never got that far? What if England had been eliminated in the Last 16 by Belgium instead? How might the tournament be remembered, and what might its impact have been instead?

We talk the football, cultural and societal impact of Italia 90 with guest Mark Godfrey.

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