FIFA World Cup: Have England been Perennially unfortunate in the competition's history?

#3 World Cup 1998

World Cup 1998 Finals France. 30th June 1998. England 2 v Argentina 2 (Argentina win 4-3 on penalties).

After missing out on qualification to 1998 WC, the Three Lions were through to the knockout stages after wins against Tunisia and Colombia in the group stage, where they were due to meet Argentina in the Round of 16.

This was the match where Owen properly introduced himself at the World stage as he won a penalty, duly converted by Alan Shearer and then produced the goal of the tournament as he scored a brilliant solo goal to give his side a 2-1 lead. The lead didn't last much longer as Zavier Zanetti soon equalised.

Then came Beckham's biggest mistake of his international career, as he foolishly kicked Diego Simeone and was sent off for the offence. Despite one man down, England still managed to take the game to penalties but once again were left heartbroken after a 4-3 defeat in the shootout.