David Beckham Turns 50: His Achievements and Objectives for England's Football Team
David Beckham's International Glory: An In-Depth Look
David Beckham's international career with England was nothing short of legendary, logging 115 caps over a decade and change, with 59 of those as captain. Let's take a closer look at when and how he scored his 17 goals in the England shirt.
First International Strike
Beckham left quite the impression in his first World Cup start, against Colombia in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Displaying his incredible free-kick ability from 30 yards out, Beckham netted a beauty in a 2-0 win for the Three Lions in their last group game, earning his 17th cap for England[1].
Enduring Exile and Bouncing Back
Despite being left out for England's first two matches in the 1998 World Cup, Beckham found redemption in a qualifying match against Finland in March 2001, hitting the winner with a powerful drive from just outside the box in a 2-1 victory at Anfield. The goal marked his 39th cap for England[5].
World-Class Free Kicks
Beckham's free-kicks are synonymous with his international career, and he showcased this prowess multiple times. Brilliantly curling a free-kick into the corner in a 2001 qualifier against Greece guaranteed England's direct qualification for the 2002 World Cup, while a more dramatic finish in a friendly against Sweden in November 2001 came with an added-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw. Still, that free-kick is hardly his most iconic – more on that later[2][5].
Brushing Off Illness
In the 2006 World Cup, Beckham scored his final international goal in a 1-0 victory against Ecuador in the last-16. Despite feeling unwell before the game, Beckham gathered the team's confidence with a stunning free-kick from 30 yards out. The goal proved vital in propelling England into the Cup's last eight[5].
David Beckham's international career was marked by many incredible moments, with his goalscoring ability and set-piece mastery making him a vital part of England's attack. By the time he took his bow on England's international stage, Beckham had etched his name into Three Lions' history with an impressive 17 goals.
In the elaborate career of David Beckham with England, his remarkable free-kick ability was showcased during the 1998 FIFA World Cup as he scored his first international goal against Colombia, a beauty from 30 yards out [1]. Furthermore, during the qualifying match against Finland in March 2001, Beckham solidified his position as a star on the international stage by scoring the winner with a powerful drive from just outside the box in a 2-1 victory, marking his 39th cap for England [5].
