Flashback: No 14. Italy 1990: Gascoigne shines in the crying game for England

(Getty Images)

Paul Gascoigne surges past German defender Klaus Augenthaler during the World Cup semi-final at the Stadio delle Alpi in Turin in 1990.

With his quick feet and subtle skills Gascoigne was the inspiration for England's unlikely journey to the last four, as a side which started with a quite dreadful 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland found form and, it must be admitted, a bit of luck.

Bobby Robson's team beat Belgium in the second round thanks to David Platt's extra-time volley, then needed two Gary Lineker penalties to come from behind against Roger Milla's Cameroon in the last eight.

In true English style, they saved their best performance for the semi-final – and lost. Lineker equalised Andreas Brehme's deflected free-kick but West Germany won 4-3 on penalties. By then Gascoigne already knew he would not be in the final, bursting into tears after he picked up a booking. He never played at a World Cup again.