WE take a look back at some of England's most memorable World Cup matches since 1950.

 

1950 World Cup (Brazil)

June 29: USA 1 (Gaetjens 38) England 0

One of the most infamous defeats in England’s international football history, losing to rank outsiders America in only their second ever World Cup finals game.

 

1954 World Cup (Switzerland)

June 17: England 4 (Broadis 26, 63 Lofthouse 36,91) Belgium 4 (Anoul 5, 71 Coppens 67 Dickinson OG 94)

An own goal in the fourth minute of injury time by Jimmy Dickenson prevents England winning a thriller. Nat Lofthouse had put England 4-3 up three minutes earlier.

 

1962 World Cup (Chile)

June 2: England 3 (Flowers 16 pen, Charlton 42 Greaves 67) Argentina 1 (Sanfillipo 81)

Goals from Ron Flowers (penalty), Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves give England their first World Cup success against the Argentines.

 

1966 World Cup (England)

July 23 (QF): England 1 (Hurst 78) Argentina 0

Geoff Hurst’s first World Cup goal decides a tempestous encounter still mainly remembered for the sending off of Argentina captain Antonio Rattin and Alf Ramsey describing the losers as ‘animals’ after the game.

July 26: England 2 (B Charlton 30, 80) Portugal 1 (Eusebio 82 pen)

Two goals from Bobby Charlton send England into their first ever World Cup finals.

July 30: England 4 (Hurst 18, 101, 120, Peters 78) West Germany 2 (Haller 12, Weber 89) AET

“And here comes Hurst. He's got... some people are running onto the pitch, they think it's all over. It is now!”

The most famous day in England sporting history.

Lancashire Telegraph: Bobby Moore is carried by team members including Geoff Hurst, left

 

1970 World Cup (Mexico)

June 7: England 0 Brazil 1 (Jairzinho 59)

Gordon Banks makes his legendary save from Pele’s header, but holders England are still beaten.

June 14 (QF): West Germany 3 (Beckenbauer 68, Seeler 82, Muller 108) England 2 (Mullery 31, Peters 49)

Lightning does not strike twice.

The Germans stage a remarkable comeback from 0-2 down to get their revenge for 1966.

 

1982 World Cup (Spain)

June 16: England 3 (Robson 1, 67, Mariner 83) France 1 (Soler)

After 12 years away from the Finals, England are back in business, Bryan Robson opening the scoring in a then record 27 seconds.

 

1986 World Cup (Mexico)

June 11: England 3 (Lineker 9, 14, 34) Poland 0

Gary Lineker’s hat-trick sends England into the last 16 as group runners-up.

June 22 (QF): Argentina 2 (Maradona 51, 55) England 1 (Lineker 81)

The moment the world witnessed Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal, which so incensed England and which overshadowed a brilliant second just a few minutes later.

 

1990 World Cup (Italy)

June 26: England 1 (Platt 119) Belgium 0

David Platt's dramatic winner in the last minute of extra time sends England through to the quarter-finals again.

July 1 (QF): England 3 (Platt 25, Lineker 83 pen, 105 pen) Cameroon 2 (Kundé 61 pen, Ekéké 65)

England need extra-time to get past surprise package Cameroon thanks to two Gary Lineker penalties

July 4: West Germany 1 (Brehme 60) England 1 (Lineker 80) 4-3 pens

Paul Gascoigne’s tears as England lose for the first time in the World Cup on penalties, but sadly not the last.

 

 

 

1998 World Cup (France)

June 26: Colombia 0 England 2 (Anderton 20, Beckham 29)

David Beckham’s superb freekick sealed England the win they needed to qualify, but Romania top the group.

June 30: Argentina 2 (Batistuta 6, Zanetti 45 + 1,) England 2 (Shearer 10, Owen 16) AET (England lose 4-3 on pens)

The 18-year-old Michael Owen scores a stunning solo goal, but Beckham is sent off, Sol Campbell has a goal controversially ruled out, and David Batty misses the decisive spotkick in the shoot-out.

 

2002 World Cup (S Korea and Japan)

June 7: Argentina 0 England 1 (Beckham 44 pen)

Current Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino concedes penalty which David Beckham converts.

June 21: England 1 (Owen 23) Brazil 2 (Rivaldo 45 + 2, Ronaldinho 50)

Michael Owen gives England shock lead, but David Seaman's blunder from Ronaldinho’s 42-yard free kick sends Brazil a step closer to their fifth World Cup win.

 

2006 World Cup (Germany)

July 1: England 0 Portugal 0 AET (England lose 3-1 on pens)

Wayne Rooney is sent off for stamping in normal time before England’s run of losing shootouts at major tournaments continues.

 

2010 World Cup (S Africa)

June 27: Germany 4 (Klose 20, Podolski 32, Müller 67, 70) England 1 (Upson 37)

The game that helped bring technology into the World Cup.

Frank Lampard's goal was not given, despite being clearly over the line, and the Germans eventually romped to an easy victory.