The Iconic Match After Which David Beckham Instantly Turned Into a National Hero

The date was October 6, 2001 and England needed at least a draw in their final qualifying clash against Greece in order to automatically reach for the tournament in Japan and South Korea.
Chance after chance came and went. Golden Balls himself skied many a free-kick. Until the 93rd minute. The final minute of added time. The final kick. The final chance.
Up steps captain Beckham. He may have missed a hatful of set-pieces already, but no-one in the country would ever want anyone else to take it. It was do or die. The pressure was incredible for supporters; just imagine what it was like for the Manchester United man on his home ground.
A quick puff of the cheeks, a bending run up to strike the ball, a clean, curling effort...
...And before you could blink, the ball was nestling beautifully in the left corner of the goal.
Cue ecstasy among the England ranks, throughout a buzzing Old Trafford, in bars, living rooms and workplaces across the nation.
That moment, that beautiful feeling only a last-gasp goal in football can generate, all thanks to Beckham and the monumental performance he put in for the entire 93 minutes, culminating with that goal.

INFO:
David Robert Joseph Beckham (born 2 May 1975) is an English retired professional footballer. He played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, Milan, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain and the England national team, for which he held the appearance record for an outfield player until 2016. He is the first English player to win league titles in four countries: England, Spain, the United States and France. He retired in May 2013 after a 20-year career, during which he won 19 major trophies.
Known for his range of passing, crossing ability and bending free-kicks as a right winger, Beckham has been hailed as one of the greatest midfielders of all time.

[TenderloinsToughest]

The Greek goalkeeper was pretty remarkable in this also. Some of those saves were amazing.

[simongoodwin]

For me this was probably Beckham’s best game of his career, he played like his life depended on it. Watching this game in the pub as the free kick went in and secured our place at the World Cup was incredible and something I’ll never forget

[christianolson]

His popularity in the mainstream has taken away from how good of a footballer he was. His crosses are the best ever. Such a precise player in his prime. Criminally underrated.

[Triplesevn]

watched that game live! David Beckham was literally a one man show that entire match! He was all over the pitch making plays. It wasn't about the free kicks, it was the effort he put in that match that shined brightest

[verdeb]

'the day beckham played all 10 positions at once for england'

[Spyros_Mazarakis]

Referee: "Hey David, how many free kicks do you want today"
Beckham: "YES"

[southerngeordie]

The best individual performance from an English player that I’ve seen. Single handedly dragged us through! Passion, commitment, determination.
True legend!

[kentkent]

Man, he played on the left side, on the right side, in the middle, at the back, passed the ball, shot on goal, created chances, took free kicks, corners, dribbled, stopped attacks with sliding starts, assisted the first goal and scored a free kick! !! There is no doubt that he played the best game in his career, and for his country, which is especially important!!!

[shaunkelly]

I am not a massive Beckham fan, but in this game he was a one-man team. He carried England for a few years, and in this game he was a giant. The best individual performance I have ever seen from anyone in an England shirt.

[studyiq]

Wow.. this match was a free kick training for Beckham. Lol how many free kicks he got.

[divyangtiwari]

His persona and off the pitch endeavours have people forget what a great footballer he was!

[GreekPanos]

I’m a Greek, but this performance by David Beckham was iconic. Absolutely incredible

[charlieparkeris]

referee giving absolutely everything to England in this clip.

[SLD]

Beckham was commanding this team like an army. The entire match was revolving around him! At one point he was in his own half of the pitch and everyone just starts running towards goal expecting a dime to the 18 yard it was like something you see in Sunday league😂😂 David is legend!

[BunninDemTrees]

I never realized how many free kicks he actually missed before he scored lol

[darthdarth]

Bechkham really played an all-around game. Not only the last goal but all the on-point passing and winning the ball back. Shame that England wasn't able to win the World Cup but this was definitely a golden-era in England football thanks to Beckham.

[ernestogasulla]

Greek player: breathes within a meter of a rival.
Ref: free kick for England.

[GM_FtblA]

I think Beckham covered over 16km in this game. Thats insane. Not even Kanté has done that before. To have the quality to produce that freekick too under so much pressure was amazing too. What a player he was

[iankemp]

Truly a captain's performance, especially in the closing minutes. I will always remember this as the ultimate example of leadership and commitment. And also advance warning that Greece were becoming a really tough and well-organised team - as shown 3 years later when they won Euro 2004 at 1000-1 odds.

[Jamie-tbhg]

100% Becks' best performance in an England shirt, & quite possibly the greatest in any shirt he's worn. He was outstanding that day