Football in England: big winnings in betting on matches with Stuart Pearce

Stuart Pearce, the infamous Psycho of Nottingham Forest, has always been the quintessential English defender – tough, stubborn, and with a shot that makes the net shake. His matches have often turned into real thrillers, with odds soaring and those who took a chance winning big.

In England, where betting on football at Betmac is almost a national sport, Pearce’s games have inspired several stories that are still talked about today.

The victory over Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup: a comeback that shocked the bookies
It was the summer of 1990 in Italy. England was in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, facing Cameroon, a team that no one took seriously. Pearce entered the field on the left wing of defence, ready to tear it up as always.

The match began as a nightmare for the English: already in the 38th minute, Roger Milla, this cunning forward from Africa, hammered the ball after a solo pass – 1:0. The odds on a goal from Cameroon were under 5.00, and those who had bet on the Africans were already rubbing their hands. The Stadio San Siro in Milan was frozen, and Pierce, according to his own recollections, was seething with anger – he almost got a red card for a foul on Milla.

The second half turned everything around. In the 45th minute, David Platt, a Tottenham midfielder, headed in a cross from Piers, who had fired a shot from the left flank like a cannon. 1:1. And in the 75th minute, Platt scored again, rebounding off a shot from Gary Lineker. 2:1. Piers played all 90 minutes, made two tackles that saved the goal, and even scored a long-range goal.

England reached the semi-finals, and betting on their victory with a +1.5 handicap (odds of around 10.00) resulted in winnings of up to 100,000 pounds for a London betting firm with several clients.

A free kick against Manchester United: 1994, when Pierce shut down Old Trafford
Let’s move on to November 26, 1994. Nottingham Forest hosted English champions Manchester United. Forest were languishing in the middle of the table at the time, while United were on a three-title winning streak. Pierce, the team’s captain and engine, started the match despite a minor knee injury. The odds? Forest’s victory was 8.50, while Pierce’s goal was a whopping 20.00. No one believed that a mid-table team could challenge the Red Devils.

The match was going smoothly, with a 1-1 score after Alan Shearer’s goal for Forest and Ryan Giggs’s response. In the 70th minute, a foul on Jason Koumas resulted in Pierce taking the ball 25 meters from the goal. He always loved these moments, and he later recalled that he had spent hours practicing his free kicks. The kick – and the ball, spinning like a top, flew into the top corner past Peter Shilton, the former goalkeeper of Forest. 2:1. The stadium exploded, Pierce ran along the stands, clenching his fists.

United pressed, but Forest stood their ground – Pierce made 12 rebounds and even an assist for Shearer. The result: 2:1, and those who risked on an accurate score or a defender’s goal left with winnings of 50-70 thousand pounds. One Newcastle lad reportedly bet 200 and made 16,000 richer. The goal, which Pearce still watches, he says, was his personal revenge for all the defeats.

Penalty shootout at Euro 96: redemption that enriched the daredevils
Euro 96, quarter-final against Spain. June 22 at Wembley, Pearce’s home ground. England the hosts, but Spain with their technique looked the favourite. The odds for England to reach the semi-finals are 3.50, and the odds for a penalty shootout are 6.00.

At the age of 34, Pearce started on the left wing with the burden of Italia 90 on his shoulders. He missed a penalty in the semi-final against Germany. The match was full of tension, with Spain taking shots, but Shay Given saved them all. After 120 minutes, the score was 0-0.

The penalty shootout began. Pearce took his fifth penalty, his heart racing. He scores the first miss of his career at this level – no, he flies into the right corner past Andoni Zubia. England 4-2, the crowd roars, and Pierce shouts at the top of his lungs, tearing off his shirt. This moment is pure catharsis for him and for everyone who bet on England. Winnings? Up to £200,000 in one case: a guy from Manchester bet £5,000 on the penalty shootout and England’s victory. Pierce later said that the strike changed his life – he scored his 78th international goal and the bets on his conversion (odds of 4.50) also broke the banks. Wembley shook and those who believed in Pierce woke up heroes.

Main image by Amit Lahav on Unsplash