The first step of Gareth Southgate’s England journey starts with victory
Gareth Southgate took charge of England for the first time and guided the Three Lions to a comfortable 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Malta at Wembley. Southgate had been placed in temporary charge for four matches following the departure of Sam Allardyce, whose England reign had lasted just one competitive game. Daniel Sturridge produced a clever glancing header to put England ahead, and then Dele Alli reacted quickest just before half-time to scramble home England’s second goal. What began as a temporary appointment at Wembley would eventually develop into one of the most significant managerial reigns in modern English football.
Events Today
Chicago Fire are born on the anniversary of the city’s most famous disaster
One of Major League Soccer’s most distinctive clubs was founded when Chicago Fire Soccer Club was founded on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The franchise deliberately chose a name that connected the team to one of the defining events in Chicago’s history, symbolising resilience, rebirth and civic pride rather than destruction.
Beckham sees red again as England edge Austria at Old Trafford
David Beckham became the first player in England history to be sent off twice when he received two yellow cards in quick succession against Austria. Frank Lampard’s penalty secured a narrow 1-0 World Cup qualifying win. His previous dismissal had come seven years earlier in the infamous 1998 World Cup defeat to Argentina, when he was shown a red card for kicking out at Diego Simeone.
Scotland’s infamous 4-6-0 experiment falls short in Prague
Few tactical decisions in modern Scottish football have generated as much debate as Craig Levein’s 4-6-0 experiment against the Czech Republic. Facing a difficult Euro 2012 Group I qualifier in Prague, Levein opted for an ultra-defensive approach, setting Scotland up without a recognised centre-forward. But unable to hold onto the ball, the Czech's dominated and won 1-0.
Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini handed dramatic 90-day FIFA bans amid corruption allegations
FIFA’s ethics committee provisionally suspended Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini and Jérôme Valcke from all football-related activity for 90 days as corruption investigations intensified around world football’s governing body. All three men denied wrongdoing, but the provisional bans proved to be the beginning of the end for the old FIFA leadership structure.
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