Euros Classic Moments: England cruise past the Dutch at Euro 96

Ask England fans of a certain age to name the team's greatest ever performance and many will say the Euro 96 victory over the Netherlands at Wembley.

Needing a win to make sure of a place in the knockout stages, Terry Venables' side put on an unforgettable display in a 4-1 victory.

That win not only lifted confidence in the camp, but the nation also started to believe that they could be about to lift their first major trophy in 30 years.

It wasn't to be in the end for the Three Lions, but that famous night on 18th June 1996 still lives on in the memory for every England fan who witnessed it at the stadium or elsewhere.

The duo meet again in the semi-finals of the current Euros on Wednesday, with England 8/5 to win in Dortmund, the Dutch 11/5 and the draw in 90 minutes 15/8.

Ince skill gets England off to a flyer

Having drawn 1-1 with Switzerland and beaten Scotland 2-0, England were in a strong position to qualify from Group A going into their final match.

With the likes of Ronald de Boer, Dennis Bergkamp and Jordi Cruyff in their ranks, the Netherlands were thought to be the toughest opponents on paper.

England, at a packed Wembley Stadium, showed their intentions from early on in the game and took the lead after just 23 minutes.

A through ball from Steve McManaman was fractionally behind the run of Paul Ince, but the midfielder provided a beautiful flick from behind his standing leg as he burst into the area.

Caught by surprise, Danny Blind stuck out a leg, tripping the Inter Milan man and Austrian referee Gerd Grabher pointed to the spot.

Alan Shearer took the penalty and fired it right-footed into the corner and beyond the dive of Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Shearer and Sheringham shine

Despite England's dominance, they had to settle for just a one-goal lead at half-time, but the match really sprung into life six minutes after the break.

Paul Gascoigne swung in a corner and as Teddy Sheringham peeled away to the penalty spot, he was able to steer a header into the far corner of the Netherlands goal.

Just six minutes later, Venables' side were 3-0 up thanks to a second goal on the night – and a fourth in the tournament – for Blackburn frontman Shearer.

This was the goal of the evening, with some brilliant build-up play before the ball reached England's number nine.

McManaman flicked through to Gascoigne, who held off the challenge of Aron Winter and muscled his way into the box.

Faced by Blind, Gazza laid the ball into the path of Sheringham. The Tottenham forward appeared in a great position to shoot, but Sheringham opened up his foot and unselfishly rolled into the path of Shearer, who made no mistake, firing home into the top corner.

It was 4-0 on 62 minutes, with Sheringham grabbing his second of the game. Darren Anderton's shot was only parried by Van der Sar and the England number 10 was on hand to slide home the rebound.

Kluivert goal a blip on standout night

The only downside of an otherwise stunning evening for England came with 12 minutes remaining, when the Dutch scored a consolation goal.

Not surprisingly, Bergkamp was at the heart of the action, playing a reverse ball into the path of substitute Patrick Kluivert.

The Ajax forward – who only turned 20 a month later - shot low under David Seaman, who tried to narrow the angle.

That goal proved to be enough to see the Netherlands through and, in the process, knock Scotland out of the tournament on goal difference.

The night belonged to the Three Lions though, as they showed their quality against the nation that brought us 'Total Football'.

It may have been a match played at the 'old' Wembley, but memories of that victory will still bring a smile to the faces of England fans today.