By Guest Columnist Mukesh Chumber
With the COVID pandemic coming to an end, international sporting competitions are making a welcom return. Notably the upcoming Euros 2020, which not only features England (as well as fellow British teams Scotland and Wales), but England has the honor of currently being scheduled to host the semi- finals and finals. Even though the Three Lions have long been the subject of underachieving and banter, they are not without merit. Today, we look back at some of England’s greatest football moments:
England vs West Germany – 1966 World Cup
We kick off with the big one. England was able to win the World Cup on home soil in arguably their greatest sporting achievement. Their 4-2 extra time win still holds the record today as the most watched broadcast in the history of the United Kingdom. A particular highlight is Geoff Hurst scoring a hat trick, the only hat trick ever in a World Cup final.
England vs Brazil – 1970 World Cup
England entered the 1970 World Cup as defending champion. Even though England were unable to defeat Brazil or retain their crown, they put up one hell of a fight. Pele would still sing the praises of England defender Bobby Moore for years after this game, which the eventual winners edged, 1-0.
England vs Paraguay – 1986 World Cup
The rest of the 1970s weren’t too kind for England, with them not qualifying for the 1974 and 1978 tournaments. However in the 1980s they were able to rebuild and bounce back. One of England’s highlights this tournament was striker Gary Lineker, who bagged brace in the 3-0 win against Paraguay. The ‘hand of God’ infamously denied England a semi-final spot later in the tournament, but Lineker became the first Englishman to win the Golden Boot.
England vs Cameroon – 1990 World Cup
England returned at the 1990 World Cup, this time building of the momentum of the hit New Order song “World in Motion”. Cameroon had emerged as a dark horse after beating defending champions Argentina and their game with England was looking to go either way. The game finished 3-2 after England went ahead, then were pegged back to trail 2-1, before Lineker and Paul Gascoigne turned on the style to ensure a thrilling late 3-2 win. It may be the most entertaining World Cup game England have played.
England vs Scotland – 1996 Euros
After failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, England bought football home by hosting the 1996 Euros. To add to this, the world got to watch the longest rivalry in football history when England took on Scotland. The 2-0 England win remains controversial, with some UK tabloids claiming England were assisted by Uri Geller’s psychic powers against a penalty. But who can forget Paul Gasoigne’s wondergoal?
England vs Netherlands – 1996 Euros
While England’s win over Scotland was a nostalgic one, it was their win over the Netherlands that made them look like title contenders. England dominated the game, beating the 1988 Euro champions 4-1. England would be unable to win the gold, but this tournament still remains England’s best performance at the Euros.
England vs Germany – 2002 World Cup qualifier
Although England defeated West Germany in 1966 to win the Gold, the rivalry went south from there. West Germany got revenge by eliminating England at the 1970 World Cup. Then the Germans crushed England’s chances of making both the 1990 World Cup and 1996 Euros final by beating England in penalties. England was able to beat Germany in the group stage of Euros 2000, but it felt more like a consolation prize. Then England drew Germany in the qualifying group for the 2002 World Cup, and the situation felt grim. England lost the Wembley game to Germany, but then shocked the world when they came from behind to beat Der Mannschaft 5-1 in Munich.
England vs Greece – 2002 World Cup qualifier
To top the qualification group and make it to the 2002 World Cup, England needed to at the least draw with Greece. With Greece leading 2-1 with five minutes to go English hopes hung by a thread. But cometh the hour, cometh the man, and David Beckham, who infamously got red carded against Argentina in 1998, put on the performance of a lifetime to tie the match with a trademark free kick and cement his position as an England icon.
England vs Argentina – 2002 World Cup
Although England has faced Argentina in 1962 and 1966, the dynamic changed after the Falklands War in 1982. Tensions were still high in the 1986 World Cup, which saw Argentina win with two of football’s most famous goals. Then in 1998, despite Michael Owen’s wonder goal, Argentina advanced on penalties after the team’s tied 2-2. The old enemies met again in 2002, with England emerging victorious thanks to a David Beckham penalty.
England vs Colombia – 2018 World Cup
After a string of failures, including an embarrassing loss to Iceland the 2016 Euros, the Three Lions were rebooted with a younger team under Gareth Southgate. England were able to get to the semi finals, something they had not done in the World Cup since 1990. One particular highlight was the round of 16 clash with Colombia. Harry Kane put England ahead from the penalty spot, only for Yerry Mina to equalize in the 93rd minute. Until that moment England were notorious for losing penalty shootouts, but here they were finally able to break the curse with a heart-stopping shootout win.
With the 2020 Euros coming this summer, England will host the final games for the first time since 1996. Gareth Southgate’s miss from the penalty spot in the semi-final cost them dearly against Germany. 25 years later and now at the helm of the national team, Southgate has the chance make the Three Lions roar once again.
