The article discusses the historical context of England's defeats in World Cup qualifiers, particularly noting the shocking loss to Norway in 1981 as a pivotal moment in qualification history. Comparisons are made to lesser defeats in more recent years, emphasizing that today's match against Andorra should be an easy win for England given the significant difference in team rankings. The writer also points out the challenges faced by England's management during such matches, alongside a focus on the need for a flawless qualification record as tougher games approach.
When was last's England genuinely shocking defeat during qualification for a major tournament? Northern Ireland away in 2005? And even that memorable though it was didn't really threaten England's participation at Germany 2006.
For a defeat that was both shocking and potentially decisive, you probably have to go back to Maggie Thatcher's darkest hour in 1981. England were in all sorts after that defeat in Norway and only qualified because Romania, a point behind with two games in hand, made a complete Horlicks of the run-in.
#england-football #world-cup-qualifiers #historic-defeats #football-manager-challenges #team-rankings
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