GOAL runs through the most memorable occasions from watching the Three Lions since the year 2000
England ended the last century looking like a football nation in decline, crawling to Euro 2000 qualification via the play-offs under Kevin Keegan after being forced to sack Glenn Hoddle for a controversial newspaper interview. But as the 21st century ends its 25th year, the Three Lions are in much better shape, boasting one of the most talented squads in world football and with a far better record in major tournaments, having reached successive European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final in their last four showings.
And yet on some levels, the events of the first quarter of the century bear some similarities to the end of the 20th century: another manager was sacked due to the work of a newspaper; the team's last major triumph remains the 1966 World Cup; there is a worrying lack of quality English coaches, leading the FA to look outside of its usual talent pool to appoint Thomas Tuchel – just as they did in the first year of the 21st century when they hired Sven-Goran Eriksson.
England still head to major tournaments thinking they are going to win them, although now their confidence is justified, though the pressure from the media is still unbearable. Watching the national team also still often feels like a thankless task. England were uninspiring for much of their Euro 2024 campaign, if we're being kind. If we're being more brutal, as Gary Linker was, they were "sh*t". But that run to the final, in keeping with the last 25 years, gave us some unforgettable goals and moments of unbridled joy, even if it ended with the familiar feeling of heartache and a missed opportunity.
With tears in our eyes and high blood pressure, GOAL looks back on the 25 best England moments of the 21st century…
Getty Images Sport25Crouchy does the robot
There was a huge amount of excitement ahead of the 2006 World Cup, when the much-hyped 'Golden Generation' was tipped to go all the way in Germany. And the sense of optimism was embodied by Peter Crouch, the most unlikely-looking footballer. 'Crouchy' was impossible to miss out on the pitch due to his enormous height and his personality was infectious too, none more so than when he danced like a robot in the warm-up games against Hungary and Jamaica.
The gangly striker was England's in-form goal-scorer leading into the tournament, and just when the team looked to be heading for an embarrassing draw against Trinidad & Tobago in their second group-stage game, Crouch popped up with a towering header to break the deadlock. He went for a no-nonsense celebration then, but Three Lions fans in the stadium in Nuremberg and back home paid tribute to their new cult hero by mimicking his iconic dance.
England's tournament may have ended in bitter disappointment with a penalty shootout defeat by Portugal and Wayne Rooney being sent off, but we'll always have Crouchy and his hilarious moves.
AdvertisementGetty 24Owen vs Argentina: The sequel
Before the UEFA Nations League existed, international friendlies were still a big deal, a chance for the top teams to pit themselves against each other outside of major tournaments. And England-Argentina was never going to be played in a friendly spirit. Switzerland was the location for this meeting between two old adversaries a year before the 2006 World Cup, and for the third game in a row against the Albiceleste, Michael Owen took centre stage.
Owen had dazzled Argentina in the 1998 World Cup and won the controversial penalty which David Beckham had scored in 2002, so it felt inevitable that he would have the final say here. Wayne Rooney had cancelled out Hernan Crespo's opener, but Walter Samuel's headed goal restored Argentina's advantage. Owen, not usually known for his heading ability, nodded England level in the 87th minute, and then pounced again in added time to secure victory.
The two sides haven't met since, but given the drama that usually unfolds, the two associations should get on the phone and arrange a reunion.
Getty Images Sport23Walcott's hat-trick in Zagreb
Failing to qualify for Euro 2008 was one of the darkest moments in English football history and no self-respecting fan will ever forget that shameful night when they were beaten 3-2 by Croatia at a soaking wet Wembley, with Steve McClaren sheltering under an umbrella. The great thing about football, though, is that you always get a shot at revenge, and it just so happened that the two sides were paired together in the same group for qualification for the 2010 World Cup.
Ten months on from the nightmare at Wembley, England, now led by master tactician Fabio Capello, travelled to Zagreb and ran riot over their previous tormentors. A 19-year-old Theo Walcott bagged a hat-trick in a 4-1 win and England never looked back, thumping Croatia again 5-1 at Wembley. They stormed straight to South Africa by winning nine of their 10 games, while Croatia came third and failed to make the cut.
Getty 22Strolling past Denmark
By 2002, it had been 12 years since England reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup, but they did so with remarkable ease in South Korea and Japan, dominating Denmark in every aspect in their last-16 clash. Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen got them off to an ideal start by fumbling a Rio Ferdinand header over his own line in the fifth minute, and the goals just kept on coming.
Owen struck the second and Emile Heskey thumped in a third before half-time. England could get their slippers on for the second half and began thinking about their last-eight tie with Brazil. Rarely has a World Cup knockout game felt so comfortable.