England got here near a humiliating defeat and an ignominious early exit at Euro 2024 on Sunday. Trailing 1-0 to Slovakia till the dying moments, the Three Lions wanted a surprising Jude Bellingham overhead kick to remain within the event.
Harry Kane’s objective in extra-time meant Gareth Southgate’s blushes had been spared and the collective outrage was saved for an additional day. However one other humbling loss was uncomfortably shut in Gelsenkirchen.
England have, sadly, skilled loads of them over time. A couple of have come at main tournaments and left an indelible, traumatising mark on the nation. Listed here are essentially the most painful of them.
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5. Croatia 2-1 England, World Cup 2018
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There was loads of ache after England’s inspiring run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 got here to an abrupt finish by the hands of Croatia. However this was a defeat tinged with hope and optimism, the purpose, maybe, at which the long run seemed brightest beneath Southgate.
Had England gone on to win Euro 2020, shedding to Croatia a couple of years earlier might need felt extra like needed struggling. However as it’s, failing to take the possibility to arrange a World Cup remaining towards France in Russia nonetheless stings.
It began so properly too. Kieran Trippier’s free-kick put England in entrance after simply 5 minutes they usually held that lead till the 68th minute, when Ivan Perisic struck. Mario Mandzukic broke English hearts in extra-time, however there are nonetheless fond reminiscences of that summer time for Three Lions followers.
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4. England 0-0 Portugal (1-3 pens), World Cup 2006
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As ever, there was loads of expectation heading into the 2006 World Cup. England seemed regular if unspectacular within the group stage, beating Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago, earlier than a draw with Sweden.
After edging previous Ecuador, Sven-Goran Eriksson’s facet confronted Portugal within the quarter-finals. Had they been overwhelmed convincingly, it’d properly have felt much less depressing. First, David Beckham went off with an damage after which Wayne Rooney was despatched off for a stamp on Ricardo Carvalho.
England managed to remain within the recreation for 120 minutes, however had been overwhelmed within the penalty shootout with two of their most influential gamers watching on from the sidelines. Once more, it was a case of what might need been.
3. England 1-2 Iceland, Euro 2016
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Defeat to minnows Iceland is commonly referenced because the nadir in trendy English soccer, the purpose at which issues may get no worse. It spelled the top of Roy Hodgson’s troublesome reign and highlighted the necessity for vital change.
Issues have gotten higher since, however eight years on the Iceland loss stays a chastening one. All gave the impression to be going to plan when Rooney transformed a penalty after 4 minutes, just for the underdogs to strike again instantly via Ragnar Sigurdsson. Twelve minutes later, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson made it 2-1.
And that was the way it stayed. The thunderous viking claps of the Iceland followers would have been ringing within the England gamers’ ears as they left France with their tails between their legs.
2. Argentina 2-1 England, World Cup 1986
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Time is the best healer, supposedly, however those that lived via England’s defeat to Argentina on the 1986 World Cup would possibly disagree. The rivalry with Argentina made issues tense sufficient forward of a a lot anticipated quarter-final at Estadio Azteca.
And it didn’t disappoint for the impartial. Diego Maradona stole the headlines together with his “Hand of God” objective, a brilliantly-concealed punch previous Peter Shilton. He adopted that up with the “Objective of the Century”, an astonishing solo run from his personal half to offer Argentina victory.
The infuriating genius of Maradona solely added to the harm for England, who felt each aggrieved and heartbroken. On one other day, issues might need gone very in another way.
1. England 1-1 Italy (2-3 pens), Euro 2020
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Recency bias, maybe, however essentially the most painful defeat of all of them must be the agonising penalty-shootout loss to Italy within the Euro 2020 remaining. A Wembley crowd that had been able to have a good time had been surprised into silence when Bukayo Saka missed the decisive spot-kick.
England, all through the summer time, had seemed on the right track for one thing particular, for a primary main event success since 1966. They beat Germany at a raucous Wembley, overcame a cussed Denmark after which confronted Italy on residence soil within the remaining.
However the nice margins went the opposite method once more, and England had been left to mourn one other painful loss.
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