England’s most embarrassing sporting moments
Unfortunately, English sport has seen some extremely embarrassing moments over the years. So, with sporting action all across the world now taking a back seat over the coming months, we’ve decided to take a look at a few of the worst moments in recent history. From football to cricket, we’ve got it covered…
Iceland dump England out of Euro 2016
Roy Hodgson’s England were dumped out of Euro 2016 by Iceland at the last 16 stage. Wayne Rooney put England ahead with a penalty in the fourth minute but 14 minutes later, they were 2-1 down. Ragnar Sigurdsson got Iceland level after a long throw-in and Joe Hart’s error allowed Kolbeinn Sigthorsson’s shot to squirm past him as the Icelandic team went ahead. England never really threatened to equalise and were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition.
51 all out vs the West Indies - 2009
England’s tour of the West Indies in 2009 got off to a decent start as Kevin Pietersen (97) and Matt Prior (64) helped them score 318 in the first Test at Kingston. Centuries from Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan saw West Indies score 392. However, things then went horribly wrong as Jerome Taylor and Sulieman Benn ran through England’s batting order, bowling them out for 51 meaning they lost by an innings and 23 runs.
Australia 76–0 England - 1998
There’s no shame in losing a rugby match to Australia. However, there is shame in getting absolutely hammered by them. On June 6th 1998, Clive Woodward’s England opened their Southern Hemisphere tour with their biggest ever defeat, losing 76-0.
Northern Ireland 1-0 England - 2006
Sven-Goran Eriksson put out a very strong England team in a World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland in 2005, but that team were humbled at Windsor Park. The home side went ahead in the 73rd minute thanks to David Healy’s strike and they held on for a famous win.
Sri Lanka give England their biggest ODI defeat - 2018
England’s ODI team were humbled and humiliated by Sri Lanka in October 2018. England had already won the series but they ended the tour on a sour note as Niroshan Dickwella and captain Dinesh Chandimal set up a crushing 219-run win via Duckworth-Lewis method Sri Lanka reached 366/6 in their 50 overs before the tourists slumped to 132/9 when rain stopped play in the 27th over.
South Africa dominate at HQ - 2008
A young and inexperienced England side suffered their heaviest defeat at Twickenham in November 2008. South Africa came to England’s rugby HQ and wiped the floor with the home side, claiming a 42-6 win.
USA 1-0 England - 1950
When world champions England faced the USA in the group stages of the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, they were expected to win easily. However, that was not the case. The quickly-assembled American team, which was made up of part-time players, won the game 1-0 thanks for a goal from Joe Gaetjens.
58 all out in New Zealand - 2018
Playing their first Test since losing the Ashes 4-0 in Australia, England hoped to get back on track against New Zealand. They didn’t. They were bowled out for 58 – their sixth-lowest total ever as Trent Boult and Tim Southee ran riot. While 58 all out was bad, it could have been worse. England slipped to 27-9 before Craig Overton smashed a few late runs. New Zealand posted a monster score of 427/8 and went on to win the game by an innings and 49 runs.
Bangalore loss to Ireland by three wickets - 2011
Kevin O’Brien hit the fastest century in the history of the Cricket World Cup history as Ireland humiliated England in Bangalore in 2011. Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell had helped England score 327/8, which looked like a winning score. However, Ireland chased the runs with five balls to spare.
Wally with the Brolly - 2007
Steve McClaren’s England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 after losing at home 3-2 to Croatia. McClaren’s decision to select Scott Carson in goal backfired as he fumbled Nico Kranjcar’s shot into the net to put the visitors ahead. Ivica Olic put Croatia 2-0 up and things looked bleak. However, goals from Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch got England back on track and things appeared to be going well. There was, though, a sting in the tail. Mladen Petric scored past Carson from 25 yards to break England’s hearts, a result that cost McClaren his job.
Bowled out for 85 at Lord's by Ireland - 2019
England’s cricketers suffered yet another embarrassing batting collapse at Lord’s last year as they were bowled out by Ireland for just 85! The Irish, playing just their third-ever Test match, ran through the England order as just three players made double-figure scores. Luckily for England, they went on to win the Test match, but that first morning was one to forget.
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