Stuart Pearce reveals Terry Venables' brilliant response to the demand for penalties from the Euro-96

It is the nightmare of all players: miss a penalty in a big international tournament.

For the unfortunate, this often becomes the defining moment of their career.

No more than when you do it in a shirt in England.

And few players have a chance to be redeemed.

But in the case of the former English defender Stuart & # 39; Psycho & # 39; Pearce, the story is quite different.

Many will remember Pearce's missed penalty in the 1990 World Cup semifinal against West Germany, putting an end to England's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup. final.

Six years later, Pearce is preparing for a place in the quarterfinal of Euro 96 and a chance to redeem himself.

The match against Spain was over on a 0-0 score at the end of extra time, and England led 2-1 on penalties as Pearce began the lone march towards the goal. # 39; s location.

Speaking to Kevin Quickly; Pearce said: "I have not really thought about it (Italia '90 miss) to be honest with you.

"I did not even know if I would take a penalty, that's how it was ad-hoc."

Pearce contacted the director of England, Terry Venables, before the shooting to propose his name.

"I went to see Terry, I thought that if I let him by chance, he will not pick me up, with my story.

"So I just told him, I'll take the third penalty.

"And he looked at me and said," Are you sure? "

Pearce was inconsolable as a result of his foul in 1990, as broken heart English players were eliminated and West Germany raised the trophy.

The former man from the Nottingham Forest saw his shot fired before his teammate Chris Waddle disappeared.

He almost did not join England's home group in the home tournament, but was lucky after a left-sided injury of first choice, Graeme Le Saux.

Eventually, faced with an opportunity to repair his fault, Pearce said, "The walks are probably the worst thing." The wait and the walk.

"When I approached to take this penalty, I could feel the nervousness in the crowd.

"I think there was everyone in someone who was more nervous than me, which is good because you know they are with you.

"I think there were more nerves in the terraces than at home.

"It was, well, what choice did I have? "- I have to take a penalty because I'm one of the best penalty shooters, so keep going."

When asked if he thought about his absence six years ago, he added, "No, I thought we were in the quarter-finals. We have a great opportunity.

"There is no way I can leave a teammate, stay on the center line and let a teammate go without a penalty record."

Pearce was given a penalty in front of a crowded house in Wembley, causing huge screams among the crowd, sparking one of the most iconic celebrations of all time.

In what can only be described as pure pbadion, Pearce blows the air and shouts to the terraces, on the brink of tears, as he banishes the ghost from Italia & # 90;

Asked that the celebration was pure joy, he replied, "Yes, nothing is planned, nothing is thought of in different ways. It was just an emotion.

Pearce scored another penalty in the shootout of the next match as England was finally eliminated in the semi-finals, again against Germany.

However, it was a redemption for Pearce, who admits that it is the only memory he has exhibited in his own home.

He said: "I have a picture on the wall of myself (at home), and it is me who puts the ball at the point of punishment of Euro'96."

"Because maybe when I look at this picture, it symbolizes a lot more than" it's a penalty for England ".

"That's probably the only reason I stuck this picture on the wall, because I know the difficulties of the previous year and the sacrifices made the previous year: wait for Graeme Le Saux or try to go past Graeme Le Saux. to join the team.

"For everyone, he is only scoring a penalty against Spain, for me it's the trip."