PhotosFrom the archive: Zidane, Maldini and more star at Anfield during Euro 1996
On this day 28 years ago, Anfield hosted the first of its four Euro 1996 fixtures.
An Italy team captained by Paolo Maldini beat Russia 2-1 in a Group C match at Liverpool's home on June 11, 1996.
France and Zinedine Zidane, a star-studded Netherlands side and eventual finalists Czechia – featuring future Reds Patrik Berger and Vladimir Smicer – also played in L4 during the tournament.
And here, we've delved into the archives and compiled a collection of the best photos from each of Anfield's four Euro '96 games…
Italy 2-1 Russia: Group C (June 11)
A brace from Pierluigi Casiraghi was enough to ensure Italy began the Euros with a win.
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Czechia 2-1 Italy: Group C (June 14)
Enrico Chiesa equalised Pavel Nedved's early opener, but Czechia ran out winners thanks to Radek Bejbl's goal soon after Italy had seen Luigi Apolloni sent off in the first half.
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Russia 3-3 Czechia: Group C (June 19)
Smicer, who would sign for Liverpool three years later, was Czechia's hero as he scored an 88th-minute equaliser to earn a point from a six-goal thriller against Russia.
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France 0-0 Netherlands (5-4 pens): Quarter-final (June 22)
A tight, tense last-eight tie ended goalless after 120 minutes. Zidane stepped up to score France's first penalty in the shootout and nine of the 10 spot-kicks were converted, with Clarence Seedorf's miss proving costly for the Dutch.
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