Fernando Hierro

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hierro's international career began just after he signed for Real Madrid, debuting in September 1989 against Poland. He quickly became a fixture in the Spain setup, known for his defensive play, large passing range and goalscoring skill. At the 1994 World Cup, he scored after an individual effort against Switzerland in the round of 16 before Spain were eliminated by Italy in the quarter-finals following a 2–1 loss. During Euro 1996, he missed a penalty as Spain crashed out to hosts England in a shootout. He captained Spain after taking over the armband from Raúl in June 2002 when Raúl retired, and appeared in the 2002 World Cup where Spain lost to hosts Russia on penalties in the round of 16. Hierro's 29 international goals made him one of Spain's most prolific scorers from defence, and he notably scored at both ends during a match against Austria on 4 September 1999.

In Their Own Story

The ball swung in from a corner kick during the 1994 World Cup qualifier against Denmark. Spain were down to ten men, needing a winner to reach the finals in the United States. Fernando Hierro rose above the Danish defence and headed the ball into the net. The goal sent Spain to the World Cup. Four years later, at the 1998 World Cup, he anchored a defence that struggled to advance past the group stage. At Euro 2000, he helped Spain reach the quarter-finals. His final tournament came at the 2002 World Cup, where he captained the side. After a penalty shootout loss to hosts Russia in the round of 16, Hierro stepped down from his post as manager and announced he would not return to his role as sporting director.

Reader's Guide

Fernando Hierro earned 89 caps for Spain between 1989 and 2002, scoring 29 goals. He appeared in four World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002) and two European Championships (1996, 2000). His debut came on 20 September 1989 in a 1–0 friendly win over Poland. He scored a crucial header against Denmark in 1994 World Cup qualification that allowed ten-men Spain to qualify for the finals. At the 1994 World Cup, he scored an individual effort against Switzerland in the round of 16. At Euro 1996, he missed a penalty in a shootout loss to England. He captained Spain at the 2002 World Cup, taking over the armband from Raúl in June 2002. His 29 goals rank him behind only Raúl, Álvaro Morata, David Silva, Fernando Torres and David Villa in Spain's all-time scoring list. He notably scored at both ends against Austria on 4 September 1999.

Did You Know?

• Hierro scored 29 goals for Spain, making him one of the highest-scoring defenders in international football history.
• He scored at both ends during a match against Austria on 4 September 1999.
• His debut for Spain came on 20 September 1989, just after he signed for Real Madrid.
• He missed a penalty in the Euro 1996 shootout as Spain were eliminated by hosts England.
• Hierro captained Spain at the 2002 World Cup after taking over the armband from Raúl in June 2002.