'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3: David Beckham’s redemption – World Cup 1998 and 2002
When England were defeated by Argentina after a penalty shoot-out in World Cup 1998, most fans placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of one man – young midfielder David Beckham, who was sent off following a petulant flick at Diego Simeone early in the second half.
The red card left England at a massive disadvantage and from that point on they struggled hugely to contain the Argentine attack before succumbing to the dreaded shoot-out.
Returning to England, Beckham was met with hate from the majority of fans, who even burned effigies of him at points. Even when he played well for England, such as during Euro 2000, he was still met largely with a chorus of boos.
That all changed when Beckham was made captain of the side in late 2000, and really began to perform at a high level – particularly when Sven-Goran Eriksson took over as England boss in 2001.
As captain Beckham took England to the cusp of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup – something that had looked impossible at one point – and then guaranteed their place with his legendary last-minute free-kick goal in a qualifier against Greece.
With the love of the fans once again secured, Beckham just needed redemption against Argentina. It would come during the group stages of the 2002 tournament. With the game on a knife-edge with both sides having missed chances, Michael Owen was fouled in the box by Mauricio Pochettino and ref Pierluigi Collina awarded England a penalty.
Up stepped Beckham to take it, and somehow showing zero nerves, he drilled it down the centre and into the back of the net. Wild celebrations followed, as it was clear how much the goal meant to England’s captain.
England went on to win the game thanks to the goal, and after the final group matches, Argentina were eliminated while England progressed. Beckham had his revenge and England fans were given one of their most memorable moments – as well as a redemption story good enough for any Hollywood film.
