The Iconic Match After Which David Beckham Instantly Turned Into a National Hero

The date was October 6, 2001 and England needed at least a draw in their final qualifying clash against Greece in order to automatically reach for the tournament in Japan and South Korea. Chance after chance came and went. Golden Balls himself skied many a free-kick. Until the 93rd minute. The final minute of added time. The final kick. The final chance. Up steps captain Beckham. He may have missed a hatful of set-pieces already, but no-one in the country would ever want anyone else to take it. It was do or die. The pressure was incredible for supporters; just imagine what it was like for the Manchester United man on his home ground. A quick puff of the cheeks, a bending run up to strike the ball, a clean, curling effort... ...And before you could blink, the ball was nestling beautifully in the left corner of the goal. Cue ecstasy among the England ranks, throughout a buzzing Old Trafford, in bars, living rooms and workplaces across the nation. That moment, that beautiful feeling only a last