Shropshire Star

Five more embarrassing England defeats

Let us remind you that this is not the first time that England's players should bow their heads in shame.

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England were dumped out of the European Championship by Iceland, ranked 34th in the world, at the last 16 stage last night.

It was an abject display by Roy Hodgson's men, but not the first time the Three Lions have been humiliated.Here we look at five other embarrassing losses:
1. United States 1 England 0 – 1950 World Cup, Estadio Independencia
United States soccer player Joe Gaetjens is carried off by cheering fans after the USA team beat England 1-0 in a World Cup
(AP)
Entering their first World Cup as favourites, England's squad in Brazil boasted names such as Stanley Matthews, Tom Finney and Billy Wright.

But Walter Winterbottom's side were shocked in Belo Horizonte, despite dominating possession and hitting a post,.

They were beaten by Joe Gaetjens' effort, with the USA's team of amateurs, postmen and funeral directors pulling off the biggest upset in the history of the sport at the time.

2. England 3 Hungary 6 – 1953 friendly, Wembley

England's captain Billy Wright, left, and Hungary's captain Ferenc Puskas, right, exchange pennants
(AP)
Hungary were the best team in the world when they visited Wembley in late 1953 – but the fact they left England in tatters would resonate for years to come.

A first defeat on home soil to a non-British or Irish opponent came at a cost as a Ferenc Puskas-inspired Hungary showed England's approach was antiquated – with Nandor Hidegkuti helping himself to a hat-trick.

Coupled with a 7-1 reverse a year later in Budapest, the defeat sparked a change in the English game.

3. Norway 2 England 1 – 1982 World Cup qualifier, Ullevaal Stadion

England's Bryan Robson, on the ground
(Knive/AP)
Defeat in Oslo was not a disaster, as England still qualified for the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

But the 2-1 loss to Norway – who finished bottom of the qualifying group – is better remembered for Bjorge Lillelien's superb commentary at the full-time whistle.

"Lord Nelson! Lord Beaverbrook! Sir Winston Churchill! Sir Anthony Eden! Clement Attlee! Henry Cooper! Lady Diana! Maggie Thatcher – can you hear me, Maggie Thatcher!

"Your boys took one hell of a beating! Your boys took one hell of a beating!" he bellowed.

Bryan Robson had given Ron Greenwood's side the lead, before Tom Lund and Hallvar Thoresen turned the game in favour of the hosts.

4. England 1 Australia 3 – 2003 friendly, Upton Park

Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport
(Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport)
England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson fielded two different sides at the home of West Ham, making 11 changes at half-time.

The Swede's experienced players had already slipped 2-0 behind at the break as Tony Popovic and Harry Kewell struck for the Socceroos.

The Three Lions came back into the contest after the interval as Francis Jeffers marked his debut with a goal.

It was set up by a combination of another pair of newcomers in Wayne Rooney, then England's youngest-ever player, and Jermaine Jenas.

Brett Emerton then sealed a memorable evening for Frank Farina's side.

5. England 2 Croatia 3 – Euro 2008 qualifier, Wembley

England's players celebrate after scoring the opening goal against Croatia
(Darko Bandic/AP)
A damp night in north London brought the curtain down on Steve McClaren's ill-fated reign as England coach, as Croatia's victory saw the Three Lions miss out on Euro 2008.

Defeats in Croatia and Russia, as well as a damaging goalless draw at home to Macedonia, meant McClaren's men were at risk of not qualifying for the event in Austria and Switzerland.

And so it came to pass as goalkeeper Scott Carson fumbled Niko Kranjcar's effort and Ivica Olic made it 2-0 inside 15 minutes.

McClaren, famously watching on from underneath an umbrella on the touchline, saw his side rally as Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch scored – only for Mladen Petric to score a winner for Slaven Bilic's Croatia.

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