When all was stated and completed, it was maybe the defining second of David Beckham’s profession.
For 90 minutes, the Manchester United man had been trying to tug his England staff over the road of their ultimate 2002 World Cup qualifier in opposition to Greece, with the Three Lions needing a draw to qualify for the next summer season’s event.
With England trailing 2-1 deep into stoppage time, Beckham seized the second to place his 1998 World Cup demons behind him and full his transformation from villain to nationwide hero, firing dwelling an excellent free kick to e book the Three Lions’ place in Japan and South Korea.
FourFourTwo charges Beckham’s efficiency on this sport at no.10 in our listing of the best particular person performances of all time.
Danny Mills on David Beckham on David Beckham’s World Cup get together
Danny Mills would win 19 England caps (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
As one would anticipate, the Outdated Trafford crowd have been delirious, with even these on the bench in awe of what they’d simply seen.
“I used to be within the squad – there have been 4 or 5 of us watching that aim from the tunnel, it was an unbelievable second,” Danny Mills tells FourFourTwo. “Had that not gone in, I won’t have performed at a World Cup.
David Beckham rescued England in opposition to Greece
With England’s common right-back Gary Neville nursing a damaged foot, Mills grasped his alternative and gained 5 of his 19 worldwide caps as England once more tasted quarter-final defeat, this time within the Far East.
However the expertise of being in Beckham’s orbit throughout a time when the England skipper’s fame had reached world icon ranges has additionally stayed with him.
“I bear in mind being invited to a World Cup get together at his home – it was just a little extravagant,” the previous Leeds United and Manchester Metropolis defender continues. “The invites got here spherical in early 2002 – white tie and diamonds was the costume code!
“I didn’t even personal a black tie, not to mention a white one, and I actually didn’t have any diamonds! That was an eye-opener, the world of the well-known, I assume.
Danny Mills coaching alongside Gareth Southgate for England in 2001 (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
“However I did go alongside. We had a desk in the back of the room for the gamers – the celebrities that have been there from all completely different walks of life have been far more ahead than us.
“Allegedly the get together was for the gamers, however I’m unsure it was… I spent more often than not with my lad within the children’ play tent!”
