On This Day – 26th March
David Beckham won his 100th England cap on this day back in 2008. He played for 63 minutes in a 1-0 defeat to France in Paris.
Beckham joined Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright in the England Centurion’s Club.
In the lead up to the friendly, there was incessant media debate over whether or not England manager Fabio Capello would give Beckham the cap. Capello decided to start the LA Galaxy midfielder but Beckham had a quiet game. He was substituted just after the hour mark and replaced by David Bentley.
The match was England’s first defeat under Capello and was decided after 32 minutes. Franc Ribery converted from the spot after David James brought Nicolas Anelka down in the penalty area.
England never looked like equalising after Ribery’s opener, rarely threatening Gregory Coupet’s goal.
David Beckham had some real highs and devastating lows in an England shirt.
His most famous goal for England was a last minute free-kick against Greece to send England to the 2002 World Cup. However, he was also sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.
Beckham ended his career with 115 caps and 53 international goals.
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