Top 10 England Goals

jonjoward1998
2 minutes ago
5 min read

We've seen many great goals scored by England players in every form of international football over the years including friendlies and qualifiers.

But it's the goals scored in major tournaments that get remembered best as the stage is bigger and the stakes are higher.

There are however goals scored in qualifiers that get talked about a lot like David Beckham's free kick against Greece, which is on the list.

Like I did for moments a few months ago, all the goals from the list are after 1966 as most people reading this are probably of a younger generation and will remember these goals better than the great ones around that time.

And here is the list:

Paul Gascoigne v Scotland - 1966

David Beckham v Greece - 2001

Michael Owen v Argentina - 1998

Kieron Trippier v Croatia - 2018

Joe Cole v Sweden - 2006

Jude Bellingham v Slovakia - 2024

Alan Shearer v Holland - 1996

Jack WIlshere v Slovenia - 2015

Jamie Vardy v Germany - 2016

Dele Alli v France - 2015

Jamie Vardy v Germany

Vardy's goal against Germany was his first for England and it got England right back in game as it brought the two teams level after England were 2-0 down.

The goal itself was stylish as he backheeled Nathaniel Clyne's low cross which was coming into him at pace. As first England goals go, this one was pretty cool and clever.

As skilful as the goal was, it had to be in 10th because it wasn't as spectacular as the others on the list.

Alan Shearer v Holland

Shearer's goal against Holland was a brilliant goal to look and was one of the best goals at Euro 96 as he hit the ball first time into the top corner after some good build up play.

But I've got it low down because he did slice the ball when it came to him and he even admitted it when talking about this goal on the Match of the Day Top 10 Podcast.

As the ball came to him from Teddy Sheringham's pass, his shot wasn't particularly clean as he didn't get a massive amount of power behind the ball when he struck it.

It was a good goal, but he still sliced it when he took the shot.

Kieran Trippier v Croatia

Trippier was England's set piece specialist during the 2018 World Cup because of the quality deliveries he put into the box from dead ball situations.

He showed that he could deliver a direct free kick as well in this goal which was a brilliant curving strike from about 20 yards out.

This goal got England fans believing that they were going to reach a World Cup final as it put England ahead in the semi final. But we all know what happened next.

Dele Alli v France

Dele Alli had just broken into the England team by the time he scored this goal which was his first for England and a brilliant way to introduce yourself as an England player.

He received the ball about halfway inside the opposition half from Wayne Rooney's short pass, before taking a couple more touches before striking the ball from about 18 yards out into the top corner.

He had so much ability during the early years of his career was on his way to becoming one of the best youngsters in Europe around the time he scored this goal, where he showed what he was capable of.

Such a shame his career declined just a few years later due to injuries and loss of form.

Jack Wilshere v Slovenia

Wilshere scored two brilliant goals in this game and any one of them could've made it onto the list. But it's his second one that made it and rightly so as it was the best of the two.

He received the ball from Adam Lallana's backheel about 25 yards from goal and after taking one or two touches of the ball, he took the shot from about 20 yards out and the ball went flying into the top corner.

This goal and the other he scored in this game were the only two he got for England and had it not been for injuries, he might've got a few more.

Joe Cole v Sweden

Cole wasn't known for scoring goals as he was known best for being a skilful player with incredible ability.

His goal against Sweden has to be by far the best of his career as he controlled the ball on his chest before hitting it first time on the volley and into the top corner.

This goal was one of the best at the 2006 World Cup and one of the best at a World Cup finals.

Jude Bellingham v Slovakia

I remember jumping off the sofa when this goal was scored and when it was, I mightily relieved as England were terrible for pretty much the entire game.

England were just seconds away from an embarrassing exit at Euro 2024 and just they needed something from somewhere to keep their hopes alive, Bellingham stepped up and scored an incredible bicycle kick.

The ball was headed down to him by Marc Guehi from a corner and as it got closer towards him, he decided to go for the spectacular in a bicycle kick.

David Beckham v Greece

One of the most iconic goals in England's history.

England were losing the game heading into stoppage time and needed just one more goal to book their place at the 2002 World Cup.

They were given a free kick in the dying seconds of the game and needed something to come of it if they were to get something from the game.

Up stepped Beckham who took the free kick from about 30 yards out and sent the ball into the top corner and England into the World Cup finals.

I wrote about this goal in moments and it truly was a moment because it not just sent England to the World Cup in 2002, it got Beckham back onside with the England fans after he spent the previous few years trying to fix his relationship with them following his sending off against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup.

Michael Owen v Argentina

Michael Owen announced himself on the world stage with this goal against Argentina at the age of just 18.

He received the ball just a few yards inside the opposition half with an incredible first touch, before going on an incredible run where he used his pace to beat a couple of Argentina defenders before striking the ball into the top corner.

The game itself was remembered for both the good and the bad for England with this goal being the good and Beckham's red card being the bad.

Paul Gascoigne v Scotland

Gazza's goal against Scotland had to be my no.1 because for me it is the greatest goal scored by an England player.

He flicked the ball over the Scotland defender with his first touch when he received it mid-air, and then he hit the ball first time on the volley when it came down to him.

The goal itself was brilliant and so was the celebration and it was called the dentist chair. The story behind was mentioned in England moments.

MY TOP 10: