Even 26 years later, the memories are raw for Tony Daley. England’s infamous defeat by the hosts, Sweden, in the 1992 European Championship is usually remembered for Gary Lineker’s surprise substitution and the “Swedes 2 Turnips 1” headline. For the former Aston Villa, Wolves and Watford winger it was also the end of his international career.

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One of 59 players used by Graham Taylor in the buildup to the tournament, Daley was selected for the final group match in Solna in an effort to supply Lineker after tepid 0-0 draws against France and Denmark.

“I will always remember there was a lot of negativity going around with the press – it felt like some of them were hoping we would lose,” Daley tells the Guardian before England meet Sweden in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday. “There was a lot of pressure put on the players and the manager. It was an us v them mentality. In the press conference I did before the game I remember them trying to get me to tell them if I was going to play – they were very aggressive. There was no positivity at all, which is very different from how it’s been at this World Cup.”

Taylor, in the incredibly unfortunate absence of his best four right-backs through injury, had selected the central defender Keith Curle and winger Andy Sinton in the previous two matches but opted for a youthful David Batty for the meeting with Sweden. Tommy Svensson’s formidable side, led by the captain Jonas Thern and also including Arsenal’s Anders Limpar, Martin Dahlin of Borussia Mönchengladbach and the rising star Tomas Brolin of Parma, had come into the tournament in superb form and were top of the group having beaten Denmark in their opening match.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The England side before kick-off, with Tony Daley on the right of the front row. Photograph: Bob Thomas/Getty Images

“We went into all the games full of confidence because results had been really good for a while,” says Dahlin. “We were all playing in good leagues around Europe and there was a lot of ability in the squad. We felt like we could beat any team so England held no fears for us.”

Violent scenes caused by England fans in Malmö and Stockholm had raised doubts whether England should be allowed to host the 1996 tournament, awarded a few weeks earlier. But any fears Taylor might have had about his makeshift side were dispelled when David Platt volleyed home Lineker’s cross to give them the lead after four minutes. “We started like a house on fire,” says Daley, who runs Pro Level Performance, providing supplementary training to young players, having spent almost a decade as a fitness coach at Wolves. “There were a couple of chances to make it 2-0 but we were pretty happy to be leading at half-time. It was a complete turnaround in the second half.”

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Six minutes after the interval, Jan Eriksson headed home from a corner and suddenly England were on the ropes. Taylor responded by telling the Arsenal striker Alan Smith to warm up before withdrawing Lineker, who needed one goal to equal Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time record, with 28 minutes to play.

“At the time, because it was a tactical substitution in such a big game, I probably didn’t realise the significance,” Daley says. “But in hindsight it was a surprise to see someone who had scored so many goals taken off, especially given it ended being his last game. I always remember Gary as a consummate professional so I can’t recall him throwing his shirt away or moaning or anything like that.”

When Denmark went 2-1 up against France, England needed to hold on to have a chance of going to the semi-finals but Brolin had other ideas. “It all happened very quickly,” says Dahlin. “Klas Ingesson picked up the ball and played a one‑two with Brolin and then he played another one-two with me. That goal is always shown in Sweden and everywhere I go people ask me about it. I know the commentary became very famous in England.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gary Lineker leaves the field, never to return for England. Photograph: Simon, Bruty/Allsport

“Brolin-Dahlin-Brolin! That is glorious. Absolutely glorious,” said Martin Tyler. England were out. Sweden went on to lose against Germany in the semi-finals, only to see arch‑rivals Denmark claim a sensational victory in the final after they had been drafted in as late replacements for war-torn Yugoslavia.

“We were the only team to beat them,” says Dahlin, who went on to play for Roma and Blackburn and is a player agent now. “But being successful at Euro 92 gave us the confidence to do well at the World Cup in the USA, where we reached the semi-finals. This time I think we can do that again. Sweden have got absolutely nothing to lose and have played really well so far. They have achieved more than they expected but on the other hand they set their goals very high as you can see from some of the results up until this point. They did well against France in qualifying and that has given them the confidence to compete with the very best.”

For Daley, the public perception of Gareth Southgate’s squad could not be more different from what he experienced then. Despite intense pressure, Taylor remained after England’s elimination but he was sacked when they failed to qualify for USA 94. After the defeat by Sweden the Sun featured Taylor’s head superimposed on to a turnip, utter humiliation for the man who had been a huge influence on Daley’s career.

“It was horrific,” says Daley, who despite being dogged by injuries went on to play for Taylor at Wolves and Watford but never added to his seven caps. “You’re happy to take criticism about your performance but when it gets personal that’s too far. The way they treated Graham was a disgrace. It really hurt because we were all part of the team but he took the brunt of it.

“Gareth has changed things for this tournament – everything is a lot more positive and the players have really responded. That has helped everyone get behind them. It’s going to be a difficult game but if we play well then I think we’ll win.”