<P> In 2002 the World Cup took place in Asia for the first time . England, under its first ever foreign manager in Swedish Sven - Göran Eriksson, were able to qualify for the tournament . England were drawn in Group 9, alongside Germany, Finland, Greece and Albania . In the last ever game in the original Wembley Stadium, (which closed after the match) England played Germany, losing 1--0, the only goal scored by Dietmar Hamann . The match was the last under the management of Kevin Keegan, who resigned at the end of the match, and was replaced by Eriksson . By beating Germany 5--1 in Munich, England's qualifying campaign was revitalised, and they qualified automatically, by drawing 2--2 with Greece . Germany, who could only draw 0--0 with Finland, had to play a play - off game against Ukraine, with England qualfying ahead winning the group . </P> <P> In Japan, England had to play against Eriksson's homeland, Sweden, and both settled out for a 1--1 draw . England and Beckham gained a measure of revenge for their previous 1998 defeat in defeating Argentina 1 - 0, thanks to a Beckham penalty . However, England could only manage a disappointing 0 - 0 draw against Nigeria, meaning that although they were able to qualify for the second round, where they played Denmark, they qualified as runners up, which meant that they would meet favourites Brazil in the quarter - finals if they qualified . </P> <P> England played Denmark in the round of 16 defeating Denmark 3--0, thanks to goals from Micheal Owen, Rio Ferdinand, and Emile Heskey . England played four - time World Cup winners and 1998 runners - up Brazil in the quarter - finals . Despite leading through a Michael Owen goal, a mistake by David Seaman saw England lose 2--1, and Brazil won their fourth World Cup match against England, and went on to win the tournament . </P> <P> England were drawn into Group 6 of European qualifying for the 2006 World Cup . The group featured other home nations in Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as Poland (who had eliminated England the last time the World Cup took place in Germany), Azerbaijan and Austria . England won eight of the 10 games, and qualified as group winners, in front of Portugal, despite drawing to Austria in Vienna, and losing to Northern Ireland in Belfast . </P>

When did england last win first game in world cup