ENGLAND : WORLD CUP HISTORY

For a country that claims it invented soccer, England's journey through the world's greatest sporting spectacle has been a rocky and disappointing one.

The English were embarrassed by the United States, 1-0, in their first Cup appearance in 1950 (which is considered their low point) and won the entire thing at home in 1966. Geoff Hurst was one of the heroes of the '66 triumph, which was decided by a controversial goal (Hurst's shot caromed off the crossbar onto the goal line or over it, depending if you were German or English).

In between and since then, the results have been sporadic, as they find ways to break the hearts of their supporters. Until its fourth-place finish at Italia '90, England had not reached a final four except for 1966.

The English's hopes were squelched by Brazil in the 2002 quarterfinals, losing 2-1, though they had a man advantage for 30 minutes of the second half after Ronaldinho was red-carded.