Euro 96 Group C

euro 96 logo Group C matches were played in Manchester and Liverpool, Germany being the seeded team. The Provisional IRA detonated a van bomb in Manchester city centre injuring 212 people and causing £700m of damage the day before the match between Russia and Germany. The game went ahead with a heavy police guard on Old Trafford the night before. The favourites, Germany, cruised through with the Czech Republic finishing in second place by virtue of their win over Italy, who finished with the same number of points.

Group C

Germany

Czech Republic

Germany 2 Czech Republic 0

Old Trafford, Manchester (37,300)
9 June 1996

Two goals in six minutes were enough to get the tournament favourites off to a winning start.

Italy

Russia

Italy 2 Russia 1

Anfield, Liverpool (35,120)
11 June 1996

A goal in the fifth minute by Casiraghi gave Italy the perfect start but Russia drew level mid way through the first half. Casiraghi scored again in the second half and Italy could have won by more had Ravanelli not squandered two late chances, misses that would in the end prove fatal to Italy's chances.

Czech Republic

Italy

Czech Republic 2 Italy 1

Anfield, Liverpool (37,320)
14 June 1996

The unfancied Czechs took an early lead but Italy drew level in the 18th minute. The game turned on the dismissal of Apolloni, already on a yellow card, for a reckless challenge on Kuka. Shortly afterwards the Czechs scored their second and although Italy dominated the second half despite being a man down, they could not find an equaliser.

Germany

Russia

Germany 3 Russia 0

Old Trafford, Manchester (50,760)
16 June 1996

Germany sailed serenely past Russia, Jürgen Klinsmann scoring two late goals to seal their victory.

Russia

Czech Republic

Russia 3 Czech Republic 3

Anfield, Liverpool (21,128)
19 June 1996

The Czechs surrendered a two-goal lead and when Beschastnykh put Russia in the lead with five minutes to go, they were all but eliminated. Their hopes were revived when Vladimír Šmicer scored to bring the scores level two minutes from the final whistle.

Italy

Germany

Italy 0 Germany 0

Old Trafford, Manchester (53,740)
19 June 1996

A missed penalty in the opening moments and an inability to take their chances cost Italy dear. The late Czech equaliser in the match at Anfield meant that second place was decided by the result between the two teams and Italy were out.