Top Ten: Beckham for England

Last updated: 31st March 2008

David Beckham England v Colombia 1998

Beckham celebrates his goal against Colombia

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As David Beckham becomes only the fifth player to record 100 caps for England, skysports.com reflects on the England no.7's top ten moments wearing the Three Lions.

1) MOLDOVA 0 ENGLAND 3, September 1 1996

This is where it all began for Becks as Glenn Hoddle gave the then Manchester United player a first cap in the World Cup qualifier in Chisinau. The 22-year-old started and played 90 minutes on the right of midfield and impressed the England head coach enough to earn himself a start in all of the remaining 1998 World Cup qualifiers.

2) ITALY 0 ENGLAND 0, October 11, 1997

Just over a year later, England travelled to the Stadio Olimpico knowing a point would be good enough to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France. Beckham carried on his run in the first team as England fought bravely against a talented Italian side to earn the all-important point. Sol Campbell was sent off with 15 minutes remaining but Beckham and his team-mates were not to be denied and the England midfielder celebrated the prospect of playing in his first ever World Cup.

3) ENGLAND 2 COLOMBIA 0, June 26, 1998

Beckham caps his first appearance in the World Cup finals with a stunning free-kick to put England 2-0 ahead in their group stage win over Columbia. A number of spectacular set-piece strikes for Manchester United earned Beckham a reputation as a free-kick specialist, and the England debutant showed the world his ability with a curling strike after 29 minutes. It was a fitting way for Beckham to introduce himself to world football, and his first goal in international colours helped England move out of the group stages and into the second phase.

4) ITALY 1 ENGLAND 0, November 15, 2000

Four years after his introduction to international football and Beckham was appointed as captain for England's friendly against Italy in Turin. Caretaker-boss Peter Taylor handed Beckham the honour at just 25-years-old and he was to wear the captain's armband when available until the end of England's 2006 World Cup campaign. Beckham led his team-mates out against a full-strength Italian side as England went down 1-0 to a second-half strike from Gennaro Guttoso.

5) GERMANY 1 ENGLAND 5, September 1, 2001

A memorable night in Germany as Beckham led his troops to a breathtaking 5-1 win over the old enemy in Munich. It was a crucial World Cup qualifier for England and a proud day for Beckham as he and his team-mates ran riot against Rudi Vollers' side. Michael Owen struck a hat-trick in what was Sven Goran Erikkson's first game in charge as Beckham skippered the side in an unforgettable night in the Olympic Stadium. The victory gave England a fighting chance of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea, but there was still a lot of work to do.

6) ENGLAND 2 GREECE 2, October 6, 2001

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Arguably Beckham's greatest moment in an England shirt as he single handily ensured England qualified for the 2002 World Cup finals. Beckham carried his team-mates through 90 minutes in an uninspiring England display against an efficient and well organised Greece at Old Trafford. With England trailing 2-1 and Germany drawing with Finland the nations' hopes of World Cup qualification were pinned on the boot of Beckham. England won a free-kick 25-yards from goal deep into stoppage time, and as Beckham's home crowd held their breath the United man produced a strike that will live long in the memory of football fans up and down the country. The goal confirmed Beckham's re-emergence as the nation's hero as England fans booked their flights for east Asia.

7) ENGLAND 1 ARGENTINA 0, June 7, 2002

Four years on from Beckham's sending off against arch-rivals Argentina and he showed all of his bottle and character to fire home a crucial penalty against the South Americans. Beckham's firs-half spot kick kept England on course for the knockout phases as Sven's men held on for a precious three points. The England captain took responsibility in the Sapporo Dome to take the all-important kick and made no mistake as he drilled the ball past Pablo Cavallero in the Argentina goal.

8) ENGLAND 3 ARGENTINA 2, November 12, 2005

Beckham brought up his 50th cap in England's sensational win over Argentina in the Stade de Geneve. The friendly in Switzerland saw England come back from 2-1 down with only three minutes remaining to earn a memorable win - thanks mainly to a late brace from Michael Owen. Beckham set-up Wayne Rooney for England's first half equaliser and was an instrumental part of the side's victory on his milestone appearance.

9) ENGLAND 1 ECUADOR 0, June 25, 2006

Beckham came to the rescue again as his second-half free kick fired England into the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup. England were going through the motions in Stuttgart and lacked any real inspiration until Beckham stepped up with half an hour left to curl home a long-range free-kick. The goal saw Beckham become the only Englishman to score in three different World Cups and only the fifth player in the tournament to score twice from a direct free-kick.

10) ENGLAND 1 BRAZIL 1, June 2, 2007

The first game at the new Wembley Stadium saw Beckham recalled to the England squad in front of 88,745 spectators. The England no.7 quickly reminded manager Steve McClaren of his quality by delivering a pin-point free-kick onto the head of John Terry to give England the lead. Despite Brazil grabbing a last-minute equaliser Beckham had proved his point to the newly appointed England boss and his overall performance highlighted how much he still had to offer the national side.

Comments

Mickey D (Newcastle United fan) says...

As an ex pat now living in the US, I had the privilege of watching Beckham play for the LA Galaxy against FC Dallas. He was different class to everyone else on the field, not that he had much competition mind you!! Anyway a fantastic player with an amazing engine and determination. Deserves his caps for England.

Posted 18:07 30th May 2008

Ogechi Wamuo (Arsenal fan) says...

This man, I must say,has paid his dues.In Mr.David Beckam,I see a man mho is willing to learn(even un-learn)and grow.His self-belief is incredible,and thus never seems like a man afraid of new challenges.With the benefit of hindsight I see that beneath that "hot-headed" character he was known for in his early days,was a resilient cool-head,to concentrate on his game.What a motivator he became on the pitch for England-I still have not seen the beauty of his crosses on any other players' boot.He's strong and truly skillful on the ball. I submit that as a footballer,common you must celebrate him.Congrats, Mr David Beckam.I wish you the very best in the future,and that your life(wholistically) will find the ultimate joy-allowing Jesus Christ to totally control you-this is true living.Cheers

Posted 20:33 28th May 2008

Jordan Preece (Aston Villa fan) says...

There are two great shames with Becks.... 1) he lost so many caps when McClaren made him a scapegoat for his own managerial incapabilities...would all us english football fans be booking holidays to he costa del bravo this summer instead of planning what pubs to watch the boys if Becks had had more of a say...i think we all know the truth...he was and still is an inspiration 2) he has sold his sole to the money moguls of the USA, and thus, sent his career down the shoot.... I believe Becks can play a part in the future, and i think he is an inspiration to every single Englishman, regardless of whether they play football, but watching three English teams play in the Semi's of the Champs league this year, and i cant help but think Becks has missed a trick and is rotting away playing against the kansas city shuffle's infront of 1500 fans BUT We love you Becks Legend

Posted 22:25 30th April 2008

Keelan Fitzsimons (Liverpool fan) says...

fantastic player and a great pro over the years, fully desereved his 100th cap, still has a lot to offer and should be involved the england squad. maybe in a centrel midfield role. his passing is fantastic and his energy is phoneminal.

Posted 15:27 28th April 2008

Rambaut Fairley (Watford fan) says...

Beckham is a great player. An article this riddled with inaccuracies is unworthy of him. How could he, given he made his international debut in 1996 and won his 100th Cap in 2008, have only been on 50 caps in November 2005 against Argentina? It's just not possible. He won his 50th cap in England's opening game of the 2002 World Cup against Sweden. The 5-1 defeat of Germany was not Sven's first game in charge. That was a 3-0 victory over Spain at Villa Park 7 months earlier.

Posted 12:05 2nd April 2008

Adam Isherwood (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

No matter what might be said about his motives on going far west of Europe, he is still a great player and should be remembered as a top class footballer. Congrats on the 100th cap.

Posted 23:21 31st March 2008

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