Source Notes

England's draw in the Balgarska Armia Stadium was not a disaster as far as their qualification hopes were concerned but it did mean that their prospects of even making the play-offs were further dimmed after dropping points at Wembley four days earlier.  As they faced a Bulgarian team that had the famous Hristo Stoitchkov in their line-up for the last time, Poland were scraping through 3-2 in Luxembourg after conceding two  goals in the last fifteen minutes.  England were now three points adrift of the Poles with just two qualifiers left - and one of those would be in Chorzow.

There had been an emphasis on attack in Kevin Keegan's choice of team for this last match of the season.  Robbie Fowler linked up with Shearer up front and Sheringham, obviously in form with his club after important goals in two finals, was brought in to play just behind them.  England forced early corners and free-kicks and had the boost of a goal in the 15th minute.  Michael Gray's high cross in from the left seemed to have eluded Shearer but the ball was knocked back into his path, possibly by a defender, and England's captain hit a fairly soft shot along the ground and into the far corner for his first international goal in open play since France '98.

Unfortunately, the feeling that the visitors would be spurred on by this early success lasted less than four minutes.  Sheringham conceded an unnecessary foul wide on the right and then made his indiscretion worse by allowing Bulgarian defender Markov a free header at the far post from Stoitchkov's well-hit free-kick.  From virtually point-blank range Seaman had little chance of preventing an equaliser.  Then Bulgaria should have taken the lead on 38 minutes when Stoitchkov surged down the left to slip a perfect pass across the face of the goal for Yovov, rushing in.  From a maximum of two yards he contrived to slice the ball well wide.

Milen Petrov was introduced for Yovov at half-time but lasted barely fifteen minutes.  After two yellow cards he was off.  Still it was the home side, effectively now Group 5 also-rans, who could have secured all three points.  Jonathan Woodgate, a debutant at 19, made a brilliant tackle to deny Petrov in front of goal during the latter's short time on the pitch and Seaman had to be at his most alert to deal with a piledriver from the other Petrov.. - The Official F.A. and England Yearbook 1999-2000.

TheFA.com
Original newspaper reports
Rothman's Yearbooks
F.A. Yearbook
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CG/PY/GI