David Beckham: It’s been 15 years since the England captain’s stunning free-kick goal against Greece in 2001
Becks' 93rd-minute strike at Old Trafford single-handedly dragged England to the 2002 World Cup in Japan-South Korea
"DAVID BECKHAM to take... 93rd minute at Old Trafford. Beckham... YES! He's done it!"
I can still the hear John Motson's commentary ringing in my ears from that glorious day in 2001, when Beckham single-handedly dragged England into to the 2002 World Cup.
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.
With time running out, the Three Lions trailed the Euro 2000 champions 2-1 and a dreaded play-off showdown looked all but certain.
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.
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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-gasp goal in football can generate, all thanks to Beckham and the monumental performance he put in for the entire 93 minutes, culminating with that goal.
And Sven-Goran Eriksson's England were off to the World Cup.
Becks turned out 115 times for his country and scored 17 goals; but none will be remembered so vividly than that one on October 6, 2001 in Manchester, 15 years ago...