Gascoigne teared up watching England reach World Cup semi-finals, stirring 1990 memories

Paul Gascoigne has admitted he was moved to tears watching England progress to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, with the sight of Thomas Tuchel’s side reviving powerful memories of his own experience at the 1990 tournament in Italy.

England sealed their place in the last four with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway on Saturday, setting up a semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday. Victory would put the Three Lions in their first World Cup final since they lifted the trophy in 1966.

“I was just sitting on the bed watching it, and I wasn’t really thinking about anything,” Gascoigne said. “Then, once the first game went on, I got so emotional and had a few tears because all of a sudden it brought back all the memories from 1990, and everything I did every single day went through my head, and I couldn’t sleep that night.”

Despite his initial reluctance to watch, Gascoigne said the quality of the tournament had drawn him in. “I didn’t think I was going to watch much of it because I miss football so much, but some of the games have been unbelievable. Anyone can win it.”

Gascoigne was one of the defining figures of England’s run to the 1990 semi-finals, where they were eliminated by West Germany on penalties — a defeat that produced one of football’s most enduring images when he broke down in tears on the pitch after receiving a booking that would have ruled him out of the final. England have reached the World Cup semi-finals only once since, in 2018, without going further.

Standing between Tuchel’s side and a first final appearance in 60 years is an Argentina team looking to retain the title they won in Qatar. Lionel Messi, joint-leader in scoring at this tournament with eight goals, helped La Albiceleste past Switzerland 3-1 in extra time on Saturday, though the match was played with ten men after Breel Embolo was sent off.

England have an unbeaten record in their last three meetings with Argentina, though the most recent of those fixtures was played more than two decades ago. Gascoigne himself never faced Argentina during his international career.

For the 57-year-old, the coming days carry a weight that goes beyond the result. Tuchel’s squad now has the chance to reach the stage that Gascoigne’s generation came agonisingly close to — and the former midfielder is watching every moment of it.