England icon Paul Gascoigne has said he’s struggled to watch England’s World Cup and grew emotional watching his old team in action this summer
Paul Gascoigne has struggled watching England at the World Cup this summer after being reminded of his own experience at the tournament. The Three Lions icon was an integral part of the England team that reached the semi-finals of the 1990 tournament.
Thomas Tuchel’s men punched their ticket to this year’s semis on Saturday after beating Norway 2-1 in extra time. They’re now due to face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday and are just one win from a first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 1966.
However, watching the team today brings up mixed memories for Gascoigne, who sorely misses the game that made him a star. And he addressed that emotional response to watching his old side prior to their quarter-final clash against the Vikings.
Speaking to Clutch 9 Football, powered by Betway, he said: “I was just sitting on the bed watching it, and I wasn’t really thinking about anything.
“Then, once the first game [against Croatia] went on, I got so emotional and had a few tears because all of a sudden it brought back all the memories from 1990, and everything I did every single day went through my head, and I couldn’t sleep that night.
“But now the World Cup has started off, and thereâs a bit of a buzz. I didn’t think I was going to watch much of it because I miss football so much, but some of the games have been unbelievable. Anyone can win it.”
Argentina are one of those contenders as Lionel Messi & Co look to retain their title. La Albicelseste also needed extra time to beat Switzerland 3-1 on Saturday, where Breel Embolo was sent off and left his team a man down.
‘Gazza’ never had the pleasure of facing the South Americans during his days with England. However, England have a promising record in the rivalry and are undefeated in the last three meetings between the pair.
Granted, the most recent of those matchups was more than 20 years ago. And Argentina now have a certain Lionel Messi, who’s joint-leader in World Cup scoring with eight goals to his name at this year’s tournament thus far.
Gascoigne’s 1990 World Cup dream ended in a semi-final defeat to West Germany via penalties. The Three Lions have been back to the last four of a World Cup once more since then in 2018 but are still aiming to end their final drought.
Tuchel’s men will look to do what Gascoigne’s generation could not by making it to the last stage of the tournament. And victory over Argentina will inspire belief they have the potential to beat either France or Spain should they make it that far.