When the Three Lions roared - England's World Cup Games To Remember - Like all countries that have qualified a number of times for the World
Cup, the England team has enjoyed its share of memorable moments.
Winning the World Cup in 1966 as the host nation would top the list of
any England fan's best moments, although younger supporters will
probably say beating Germany 5-1 in a qualifier in Munich in 2001 comes a
close second.
Portugal, semi-final, Wembley 1966
England had come through a dour and ill-tempered quarter-final against Argentina but proved they really were one of the best teams in the world with a magnificent win over a Eusebio-inspired Portugal. Bobby Charlton was outstanding, scoring two goals in perhaps his finest-ever performance for his country. Eusebio pulled one back from the penalty spot - his eighth of nine goals in the tournament - but it was not enough and he left the field in tears.
Portugal, semi-final, Wembley 1966
England had come through a dour and ill-tempered quarter-final against Argentina but proved they really were one of the best teams in the world with a magnificent win over a Eusebio-inspired Portugal. Bobby Charlton was outstanding, scoring two goals in perhaps his finest-ever performance for his country. Eusebio pulled one back from the penalty spot - his eighth of nine goals in the tournament - but it was not enough and he left the field in tears.
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England striker Gary Lineker fires in a shot against Cameroon at Italia '90 17/5/13 By pa.press.net
West Germany, final, Wembley 1966
England's finest hour and an accomplishment which has overshadowed the national team ever since. Geoff Hurst struck a magnificent hat-trick as England claimed the world crown with a 4-2 victory. Helmut Haller put the Germans ahead but Hurst responded and Martin Peters added a second after 78 minutes. Wolfgang Weber forced extra time in the last minute but England claimed the advantage with a controversial Hurst strike which bounced down off the crossbar and was adjudged to have crossed the line by linesman Tofik Bakhramov. With fans spilling onto the pitch, Hurst completed his hat-trick in the dying seconds.
France, first round, Bilbao 1982
England, in their first World Cup since 1970, got their campaign off to a flying start with an impressive 3-1 win over a very strong French side, featuring Michel Platini. Bryan Robson scored a stunning opener after 27 seconds and added a second following Gerard Soler's equaliser. Paul Mariner made sure of the win with England's third.
Paraguay, second round, Mexico City 1986
The prolific Gary Lineker struck twice as England comfortably moved through to the quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over the South Americans. Lineker opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark and netted the third after Peter Beardsley had doubled the lead.
Belgium, second round, Bologna 1990
Progress to the quarter-finals was secured in dramatic fashion as David Platt swivelled to fire in a 119th-minute winner. Neither side had been able to break the deadlock until, with penalties looming, Platt connected with Paul Gascoigne's floated free-kick with a powerful volley.
Cameroon, quarter-final, Naples 1990
Two Gary Lineker penalties saw England through to the semi-finals after a pulsating encounter. Platt's first-half effort had put England on course but the exciting Africans turned the game on its head after the break with two goals in the space of four minutes from Emmanuel Meboang Kessack (penalty) and Eugene Ekeke. Lineker levelled with his first spot-kick after 83 minutes and then settled it in extra time.
Italy, qualifying, Rome 1997
England went to Rome knowing that just a draw would be enough to see them through to France 98, but the task was far from straightforward. Italy had won at Wembley earlier in the campaign and triumphed in every qualifier they had played in their capital in the previous 15 years. Yet England produced a heroic performance to grind out a perfectly adequate goalless draw. Christian Vieri gave them a scare with a late header but defeat would have been harsh.
Germany, qualifying, Munich 2001
Michael Owen scored a stunning hat-trick as England produced one of their greatest performances to win 5-1 and move closer to qualification for the 2002 tournament. Germany had only ever lost one qualifier on home soil and there seemed little chance of a second defeat as Carsten Jancker gave them a sixth-minute lead. But Owen levelled and Steven Gerrard gave England the lead before the break. Owen then grabbed two more and Emile Heskey completed a glorious rout in the second half.
Argentina, first round, Sapporo 2002
This game had neither the tension nor excitement of previous encounters between the two sides but in the light of past events, it was a sweet win for England and match-winner David Beckham. After being knocked out by Argentina in controversial circumstances in 1986 and 1998 any win would prove sweet, even 1-0 with a penalty. Beckham, who had been sent off against them and widely castigated four years previously, this time had the last laugh with the winner.
Croatia, qualifying, Zagreb 2008
Fabio Capello's England took charge of their qualifying group with a comprehensive 4-1 victory thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Theo Walcott. Having missed out on qualification for Euro 2008 with a Wembley defeat by Croatia, England gained revenge over their main group rivals in style with Wayne Rooney also on the scoresheet. A 5-1 home win against the same opponents later secured England's place in the finals.
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