DISHWASHER CLEANS UP

Watching the USA Women put hosts France out of the Women's World Cup last night, reminded how far American soccer had come and now one of England's iconic stadia is being invaded by baseball. Whoops. Mind you the game was invented here so there; what comes around etc. England Women will meet the Yankettes soon in an attempt to reach the WWC Final.

Matches between the two countries have stirred up some controversy, the most embarrassed must have been on June 29th 1950 when a post war England full of promise met the Yanks in a World Cup qualifier and were subjected to a 1-0 defeat. Joe "Larry" Gaetjens, an accountancy student and dishwasher scored the goal which tempted Wilf Mannion, one of England's great to utter "Can we play them against tomorrow". Stanley Matthews biography reveals the disappointment of losing to rank outsiders, especially in a World Cup. Having previously beaten Chile 2-0, and lost to the USA, they then lost to Spain 1-0 and came second on goal average. One goal for would have made the difference. 

In 1930 the FA took the decision to not play in the World Cup, especially against any country that they had fought against in the war.  By 1950 the English FA had decided to join in with the rest of the World and qualified to play in Brazil.

On the same date in 1998 England with David Beckham, another right winger, on board lost to Argentina in a World Cup last 16 when hopes were high. Batistuta put Argentina ahead 1-0 after 6 minutes, Shearer equalised after 10 with a penalty; following a Michael Owen wonder goal in 16 minutes, the game went to 2-2 on half time. Beckham's rash retaliation on Simeone, who had fouled him led to the sending off and remember??? Sol Campbell had a goal disallowed in "overtime".

The game went to penalties and with Beckham out of the picture, Ince and Battye missed theirs, resulting in a penalty shoot out defeat 4-3. Burning effigies of DB adorned many footballing cities.