Holland 2 England 0 - 1993
England needed a positive result in order to close the gap on the Dutch in the campaign and put qualification back in their own hands. Despite playing Carlton Palmer, all was looking good for the away side as David Platt burst through on goal only to be hauled back by TinTin look alike Ronald Koeman. Red card assumed the England players, staff and fans only to see the referee produce nothing of the sort. Insult was further added to injury as Koeman then calmly stepped up to score a retaken 60th minute free kick which all but knocked the stuffing out of the England team. "He's going to flick one, he's going to flick one" yelled the late, great Brain Moore as he and the millions watching could see exactly what was going to happen. Unfortunately David Seamen had not seen the obvious and was left clutching at thin air. Add to this the subsequent documentary on Graham Taylor highlighting the challenge of being England football manager and the inane mutterings of Phil "it's a bold decision, boss" Neal and you probably get the lowest of ebbs in the recent history of English football. England had all but failed to reach the Finals of 1994 and Taylor was managerial toast shortly afterwards.