The Three Lions lost 1-0 against Brazil in their last appearance at the Parc des Princes in Paris, but England won Le Tournoi du France nonetheless.
On This Day – 10 June 1997
Brazil 1-0 England
Le Tournoi du France
Parc des Princes, Paris
Wins over Italy and hosts France in this four-team tournament – a dry-run for the World Cup that would follow on French soil a year later – meant England arrived at the Parc des Princes on the crest of a wave having already secured Le Tournoi trophy.
Glenn Hoddle put out a strong side against the Samba Boys in what is their most recent outing at the home of Paris Saint-Germain.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-E3wkVYIOM[/embedyt]
David Seaman was in goal, while big names like Sol Campbell, Paul Ince, Gazza, Shearer and Sheringham lined up in front of the Arsenal keeper against Romario, Ronaldo, Dunga, Roberto Carlos, Aldair.
Paul Scholes was also playing for England, making just his third appearance only a couple of weeks after his debut and six days after his first international goal in the win over the Italians.
But despite their good displays in the first two games, their frailties were exposed by Brazil and it was a solitary goal from Barcelona striker Romario on the hour-mark that won the game.
Quick passing around the England box left Hoddle’s man chasing shadows, before Leonardo threaded a perfect pass through the gap into the box and the path of Romario.
Before Seaman could set himself, the former PSV man prodded the ball with his toe sending it past the keeper and inside the post. It was no more than Brazil deserved and was enough to wrap up victory.
But still, England won Le Tournoi tournament, their first international trophy since the World Cup 31 years earlier.