Des Walker played every minute of England's campaign at the 1990 World Cup, initially starting in a back four alongside Butcher as England drew 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland in Cagliari in a howling gale. England then drew 0-0 with Holland in a game which saw them first employ three central defenders, with Walker and Butcher being joined by the excellent Mark Wright as the spare man sweeping up. Des was exceptional on the night, never letting Holland's feared hitman Marco Van Basten - who had terrorised England's defence two years earlier at the European Championships - out of his sights.
Manager Robson reverted to 4-4-2, with Walker alongside Wright, for the 1-0 victory over Egypt which, as the only game not to finish in a draw, meant England topped their group. The sweeper system was back as Belgium were then defeated thanks a last-ditch David Platt goal which saw England through to a quarter-final meeting with the tournaments surprise package Cameroon. The heat and fatigue contributed to some knocks and bruises but Walker stood firm, despite pains of his own, to maintain his composure and concentration against the well-built and uncompromising Cameroon players.
The sweeper system continued to work well, despite a few near-misses, and England won 3-2 to get to the semi-finals. West Germany awaited and England's defence held firm (see photo above, Des tracking Rudi Voller), only conceding thanks to a set-piece and devilish deflection. Walker's fitness was severely tested as he went through a whole 120 minutes for the third time in eight days but he held firm.
England equalised but then lost on penalties - Des had never had any kind of shot at goal in professional football, so his likelihood of taking a penalty was nil - and the heroic England side plodded through the third-place play-off against hosts Italy, with Walker winning his 25th cap. He was a stunning find for England; even-tempered but stout, quick but with great timing, and with great courage and a facility to read the game. But now, with the World Cup over, he had lost his partner Butcher to inevitable retirement, so he was now expected to help lead England's defence into a new era under Graham Taylor. (Matthew Rudd)
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