2. David Beckham England v Argentina (1998)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rsc-7TZ9T8 After seeing off Colombia in the Group Stages of the 1998 World Cup, thanks in part to a trademark freekick from David Beckham, England finished second in Group G just behind Romania. England would face Group H winners Argentina in the knock out stages of the competition, and the man not yet known as Golden Balls would make all the headlines. Beckham was just 23-years old and competing with Darren Anderton to play on the wing for England, and was given the nod after his heroics against Colombia to send his country through. But things would go just a little bit wrong for the former Manchester United midfielder when he came into contact with Digeo Simeone. Becks went to the ground, and then petulantly kicked out at the Argentinian right in front of the referee. England drew the match 2-2 and ended up crashing out of the competition on penalties (of course they did). Simeone later rubbed salt in the wounds by admitting he faked the injury that led to Beckham's now infamous dismissal. It was still a remarkably stupid thing to do on Beckham's part, and England's potential progress in the World Cup of 1998 now remains a case of what could have been. Source(s):
BBC