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NOTTINGHAM FOREST HISTORY
26 June, 1990

Pearce and Walker reach quarters

On this day in 1990 Stuart Pearce and Des Walker help England reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Player legacies

International milestone
Des Walker pictured in 2003.
Des Walker pictured in 2003. Image: Holdenbuckley / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Stuart Pearce and Des Walker helped England reach the World Cup quarter-finals on a tense night against Belgium in Bologna.

England won 1–0 after extra time in the 1990 FIFA World Cup round of 16, with both Forest defenders starting in a match that remained goalless for almost the entire evening. The pressure grew as the game moved closer to penalties.

Des Walker pictured in 2003.
Des Walker pictured in 2003. Image: Holdenbuckley / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pearce brought his usual aggression and commitment at full-back, while Walker’s pace and recovery defending gave England security in central defence. For Forest supporters, seeing two City Ground defenders trusted in a World Cup knockout tie underlined the quality of the club’s back line at that time.

The decisive moment came late in extra time when David Platt volleyed in Paul Gascoigne’s free-kick. The goal sent England through and spared them a shootout.

For Pearce and Walker, it was another step in a tournament that became central to English football memory. For Forest fans, it was also a proud international night with two of their own helping England survive a knockout test.

Match Highlights

Sources

England Football Online; ESPN; EnglandStats

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1990
Pearce and Walker reach quarters

Stuart Pearce and Des Walker helped England reach the World Cup quarter-finals on a tense night against Belgium in Bologna. England won 1–0 after…

Player legacies
1996
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2015
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Culture and identity