England have never failed to qualify when needing a draw in their final World Cup or European Championship group match, whether progressing on the day or when later games meant that a draw was needed in hindsight. In fact, England are unbeaten in their 22 final group games . . .

1958 World Cup

Ireland 1 England 1

England need a point to be sure of progressing (defeat, coupled with a subsequent win for Ireland in Denmark, would mean an England-Ireland play-off) and do so only after John Atyeo heads a last-minute equaliser.

Expert View

Tonight, England’s back four clusters around the great and ancient totem of Sol Campbell, a paid-up member of the Sensitive Footballers’ Union

Simon Barnes

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BACKGROUND

• England drop Beckham and Robinson

• McClaren demonstrates courage for art of survival

• Gerrard urges fans to be twelfth man

• Defence called on to compile case for the untried

BACKGROUND

• Croatia driven by lure of Premier League

• Playing for a draw . . . a history of success

• Ten judgment days

Multimedia

• Live: England v Croatia, 2000GMT

• Fanzone: Lions need to be tamed

1962 World Cup

England 2 Portugal 0

Defeat would lead to a play-off against the same opponents, but England win through early goals by John Connelly and Ray Pointer, both of Burnley.

1968 European Championship

Scotland 1 England 1

John Hughes equalises for Scotland after Martin Peters had opened the scoring, but England knock Scotland out of the tournament.

1982 World Cup

England 1 Hungary 0

Facing an apathetic Hungary team, who have qualified, England score through a scuffed effort by Paul Mariner after Trevor Brooking’s mis-hit shot falls to him.

1988 European Championship

Yugoslavia 1 England 4

Defeat would suffice for England if Yugoslavia do not win away to Turkey a month later, but a draw would take them through. England score four in the first 25 minutes.

1990 World Cup

Poland 0 England 0

England require a draw to qualify at Poland’s expense (although defeat should also suffice if Sweden lose in Poland a month later) but are overrun in Chorzow. Peter Shilton makes several brilliant saves in England’s goal and Poland strike the bar in the final seconds.

1992 European Championship

Poland 1 England 1

Gary Lineker scores a late equaliser to pip Poland and Ireland.

1998 World Cup

Italy 0 England 0

England need a draw (otherwise they, not Italy, face a play-off) and do so after Angelo Di Livio’s 75th-minute sending-off.

2000 European Championship

Poland 0 England 0

England need a draw to reach the play-offs, provided that Poland then lose in Sweden, which happens. David Batty is sent off near the end.

2002 World Cup

England 2 Greece 2

England begin the game assuming that they need victory to qualify (and avoid a play-off against Ukraine) because Germany should win at the same time at home to Finland. But Germany draw 0-0 and a draw is enough. David Beckham equalises from a free kick in the third minute of stoppage time.

2004 European Championship

Turkey 0 England 0

Three days earlier, England call off their strike threat over the FA’s banning of Rio Ferdinand for the match for missing a drugs test. David Beckham misses a penalty but England qualify.