England were involved in the first game of international football ever when they played Scotland way back in 1870, although the reverse fixture in 1872 is considered to be the first official international. Nonetheless, England have played over 1,000 games in total since then and have scored more than 2,300 goals.
Clearly, then, selecting just seven is a tough task, and over the years the Three Lions have scored countless goals that will live long in the memory. Goals can be memorable for different reasons and when we talk about the “best” of them we can be making this assessment on a range of factors. The brilliance of the goal itself must always be a factor, but the timing and importance of a strike, the calibre of the opponent, and other considerations all have to be weighed up too.
In no particular order, and with apologies to the many great goals we’ve had to leave out, here are our favourite seven England goals of all time.
Jude Bellingham v Slovakia, Euro 2024
Many lists such as this are prone to recency bias, favouring players, goals, teams or matches that are freshest in the memory. This is partly unavoidable, simply because we cannot really judge events from the distant past, especially if they pre-date the era of television. Partly it is down to human nature. But irrespective of this, Jude Bellingham’s magnificent strike against Slovakia at Euro 2024 makes our list.
England were facing an embarrassing defeat, 1-0 down against Slovakia with less than 90 seconds of added time to play, when the Real Madrid superstar launched himself into the air and connected perfectly with an overhead kick that flew into the bottom corner. The timing, the athleticism, the relief the goal sparked and the simple fact that the goal saved England from humiliation, all merit its inclusion here.
Paul Gascoigne v Scotland, Euro 1996
Gazza scored many amazing goals in his career but his volley against Scotland has to be amongst his best and is undoubtedly one of the most iconic England goals scored at Wembley. This was another game in which the Three Lions were expected to win, had badly underperformed and then just about got away with it thanks to a moment of individual magic.
Gazza needed just two touches and both were perfect. The first, with his left foot, lobbed the ball over Colin Hendry and left the usually assured Scot sprawling, the second, on the run, with his right, was a volley low into the corner. The “dentist’s chair” celebration wasn’t bad either!
John Barnes v Brazil, Friendly in 1984
Barnes’s goal did not get England out of jail and ultimately it counted for little. However, to score a goal of such class against Brazil, at the famous Estádio do Maracanã, was a moment that Barnes could not have scripted himself. The brilliant attacking midfielder ran with the ball and just kept on going. His pace, power and balance were too much for Brazil and he put the goalkeeper on the floor before slotting home perhaps England’s greatest solo goal of all time.
David Beckham v Greece, 2002 World Cup Qualifier
In 2002 David Beckham was at the height of his football powers and was the captain of England. Having been the villain of the piece at the 1998 World Cup he had rebuilt his career with club and country and was now a hugely popular figure. The freekick that he produced, fittingly at Old Trafford, was a moment of magic that nobody who saw it will ever forget.
England were 2-1 down against a Greece side they were expected to beat (a familiar tale) and needed to draw or win to book their place at the 2002 World Cup. In the third minute of stoppage time, the Three Lions got a freekick fully 30 yards from goal. The nation held their breath, fans closed their eyes, unable to watch … and Beckham curled in a perfect freekick. The pace, power, curl and dip were all perfect and the Greek keeper could only watch as it sailed into his goal.
Bobby Charlton v Mexico, 1966 World Cup
Geoff Hurst’s third goal against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final is perhaps the most iconic England strike of all time. But for us, Bobby Charlton’s against Mexico in the group stage of that competition is the one from 1966 that deserves to make our list. The Three Lions had begun the tournament with a dour 0-0 draw and it was 0-0 with Mexico as half time approached.
Charlton collected the ball inside his own half and strode forward like the midfield colossus he was. A trademark body swerve opened up space for a shot and from 30 yards out he powered an absolute screamer past the goalkeeper.
Michael Owen v Argentina, World Cup 1998
Michael Owen’s goal against Argentina in the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup was the sort of goal that is only possible with the fearlessness of youth. He was England’s youngest player to feature at a World Cup and became their youngest tournament scorer when he netted against Romania in the group phase.
It was clear he was going to be a star but his slaloming run and powerhouse finish against great rivals Argentina really announced him on the world stage. Owen displayed incredible pace and balance, rendering the opposition defenders little more than statues before powering the ball into the corner from 18 yards.
David Platt v Belgium, 1990 World Cup
Bellingham’s strike against Slovakia evoked memories of David Platt’s stunning goal of 34 years earlier, chiefly for the timing of it and the brilliance of the finish. Like Bellingham’s, Platt’s came in the last 16, and saved England after a performance that lacked any real conviction.
The game was heading to penalties, 0-0 in the 119th minute, and England won a freekick in a central position, 40 yards out. Gazza chipped the ball in and Platt produced a magical volley, swivelling as the ball dropped over his shoulder and connecting perfectly to send the ball flying into the far corner of the goal.