v USA, group stage, Belo Horizonte, 1950
The most infamous result in England's World Cup history and one of the greatest upsets of all time. England had felt so superior to everyone else they did not bother entering the World Cup until 1950. When they did finally play, their debut appearance turned into a nightmare. With a team boasting Billy Wright, Tom Finney, Stan Mortensen and Wilf Mannion they were considered one of the favourites but they were stunned 1-0 by the unheralded Americans in Brazil.
v Germany, quarter-finals, Leon, 1970
World champions England looked to be cruising towards the semi-finals after goals from Alan Mullery and Martin Peters. Yet there were signs the team was tiring in the Mexican heat and, after Franz Beckenbauer pulled one back on 68 minutes, manager Sir Alf Ramsey decided to take off ace goalscorer Sir Bobby Charlton and replace him with Colin Bell. But Uwe Seeler snatched an equaliser to force extra time and Gerd Muller settled it after 108 minutes.
v Poland, qualifying, Wembley, 1973
England needed to win to qualify for the 1974 World Cup but were strong favourites and Brian Clough even dubbed Poland goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski a "clown" before the game. Yet Tomaszewski produced an inspired performance after Allan Clarke had equalised from the penalty spot following Jan Domarski's opener. England laid siege to the Polish goal but Tomaszewski managed to repel everything the home team threw at him.
v Argentina, quarter-final, Mexico City, 1986
Diego Maradona put England out of the World Cup in front of a crowd of 114,580 at the Azteca Stadium with an act of blatant cheating and a moment of mesmeric brilliance. The Argentina legend first punched the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton, later claiming it must have been the 'Hand of God'. England were furious and still reeling when Maradona scored an incredible second by beating six players on a powerful run to goal. Gary Lineker pulled one back but England went out.
v West Germany, semi-final, Turin, 1990
England went down to an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat at the Stadio delle Alpi after a pulsating encounter best remembered for the tears of Paul Gascoigne. The Tottenham midfielder, one of the stars of the tournament, cried on the field after incurring a booking that would have put him out of the final had England got there. But there was still a game to be won first and England went so close after Gary Lineker had cancelled out Andreas Brehme's deflected free-kick to force extra time. Both teams hit the woodwork in extra time but it was the Germans won the shoot-out as Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle failed to find the net.
