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England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

Qualification has gone down to the final match in nine of the last 12 tournaments - but do England tend to handle the pressure?

Tuesday 15 October 2013 15:20 BST

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

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1/10England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

Robson-1989.jpg

1990 World Cup: Poland 0 England 0 (11 October 1989, Katowice)
What England needed
A point.
What happened
A resolute defensive display saw Bobby Robson's side – including Peter Shilton and Bryan Robson – get the point they needed for a trip to Italy.

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

Lineker-1992.jpg

1992 Euros: Poland 1 England 1 (13 November 1991, Poznan)
What England needed
A point.
What happened
England went a goal down in the first half, but a 77th-minute strike by Gary Lineker was enough to ensure that Graham Taylor's side finished ahead of the Republic of Ireland and won the group.

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

Ince.jpg

1994 World Cup: San Marino 1 England 7 (17 November 1993, Bologna)
What England needed
A win by seven goals and for Poland to beat Holland.
What happened
Paul Ince scored as England won comfortably but the Dutch defeated Poland, which meant England did not qualify.

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

Beckham-1997.jpg

1998 World Cup: Italy 0 England 0 (11 October 1997, Rome)
What England needed
A point.
What happened
Inspired by Paul Gascoigne and Paul Ince, England stood firm against opponents who had Angelo Di Livio sent off with 15 minutes left. Roy Hodgson was Glenn Hoddle's assistant.

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

McManaman.jpg

2000 Euros: Poland 0 England 0 (8 September, 1999, Warsaw)
What England needed
A win.
What happened
A goalless draw proved enough for second place in the group after Poland lost their last qualifying match. Finishing level on points, England's 3-1 home win over Poland put them into a play-off with Scotland which Kevin Keegan's side safely negotiated.

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

Beckham.jpg

2002 World Cup: England 2 Greece 2 (6 October 2001, Old Trafford)
What England needed
A point.
What happened
Perhaps the latest show of them all. England were 2-1 down going in the dying seconds but David Beckham's free-kick booked qualification. Germany's draw with Finland meant England finished top of the group on goal difference.

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

Beckham-2003.jpg

2004 Euros: Turkey 0 England 0 (11 October 2003, Istanbul)
What England needed
A point.
What happened
Despite David Beckham missing from the spot, England held out to top the group.

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

Carson.jpg

2008 Euros: England 2 Croatia 3 (21 November 2007, Wembley)
What England needed
A point.
What happened
England went 2-0 down in the first 15 minutes after errors from Scott Carson on his competitive international debut. Steve McClaren's side drew level, but Mladen Petric's strike ended qualification hopes.

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

Rooney.jpg

2012 Euros: Montenegro 2 England 2 (7 Nov 2011, Podgorica)
What England needed
A point.
What happened
England went two up after 30 minutes, but Montenegro pulled one back before the interval. Wayne Rooney was sent off with 15 minutes to go and the home side equalised in the final moments of a dramatic match.

England v Poland: How do England fare when it all comes down to the final game?

England-1996.jpg

... and when it was stress-free
2010 World Cup: Qualified before their final game of the tournament.
2006 World Cup: Qualified before their final game of the tournament.
1996 European Championships: England were the hosts.

England must beat Poland on Tuesday to be sure of their place in Brazil next summer, but it is not the first time qualification for the finals has gone down to their last game – in fact it's nine times in the last 12 tournaments...

To see the gallery of England's crucial qualification final matches, CLICK HERE, or click view gallery.

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