Meetings between England and Colombia have been few and far between, with just five overall. Rene Higuita's scorpion kick was the highlight of an otherwise uneventful friendly at Wembley in 1995, but three years later a far more significant meeting took place.
In their final group match at the 1998 World Cup in France, Glenn Hoddle's side put together their most complete performance of the tournament to win 2-0 and progress to the second round. They controlled the game from start to finish and could have racked up several more goals but for some wayward finishing and the reflexes of Faryd Mondragon.
After a routine victory over Tunisia in their first match, England had then suffered a surprise defeat to Romania. Level on points with Colombia, but enjoying a better goal difference, just a draw was needed to ensure safe passage to the knockout stages.
In response to their loss last time out, Hoddle made two significant changes. David Batty and Teddy Sheringham were replaced by David Beckham and Michael Owen, who were making their first starts of the tournament. The teenage striker had been particularly impressive against Romania, coming off the bench to score and then hit the post late on.
Both of the manager’s bold selection decisions were handsomely rewarded. Youthful energy helped to make all the difference against an ageing Colombia side, led by 36-year-old Carlos Valderrama. Operating from the centre of midfield, Beckham’s enthusiasm and exceptional range of passing posed difficulties, while Owen’s runs in behind stretched the opposition defence, creating gaps for others to exploit.
Playing in Hoddle’s preferred 3-5-2 formation, with Paul Scholes free to roam behind the strikers, England got off to a fast start. Faryd Mondragon unconvincingly palmed away Scholes’ half-volley, while Graeme Le Saux really should have tested the goalkeeper when he entered the area unmarked to connect with a deep cross from the right. His tame shot trickled wide.
They continued to pepper the Colombian goal and were rewarded after 20 minutes when a clearing header fell to Darren Anderton. He took one touch to control the ball with his thigh before lashing it into the roof of the net from an angle. A fine finish, it eased any lingering nerves and set England on their way to a comfortable victory.
David Beckham scored the second before the break. Lining up a free kick from 30 yards out, he expertly bent it over the wall and away from Mondragon’s despairing dive. After the disappointment of starting the first two matches on the bench, the Manchester United midfielder had delivered a timely reminder of his quality. His first goal for his country, the celebration showed how much it meant.
At the other end, David Seaman and his defenders were barely tested, save for a couple of speculative efforts. Sol Campbell even made a rampaging run past four players in the second half but was finally stopped by a sliding tackle on the edge of the Colombian box. The ball came through to Michael Owen, whose low shot was saved.
Mondragon did well to keep the score respectable, saving another long-range effort from Paul Scholes and an Alan Shearer header. He would deny Shearer and Owen, amongst others, on a couple more occasions, including from a one-on-one where the youngster should really have done better. He went for power rather than placement and was repelled.
The result didn’t quite reflect the extent of England’s dominance but it was more than enough to guarantee second place in the group, and set up a meeting with Argentina. Colombia had been completely overrun in an entertaining display that raised hopes of reaching the latter stages.
It wasn’t to be but this was arguably the last England team that was fun to watch at a World Cup. There are even parallels with the current set-up, as a young and relatively inexperienced manager had his side playing progressive and tactically-flexible football. Where that will lead for Gareth Southgate and his players remains to be seen.
