After another win in their qualifying campaign England seem destined to secure a place at South Africa 2010. But once they get there we can expect drama, anguish and plenty of tears - especially if the past is anything to go by...

England v West Germany, quarter–final, 1970 World Cup

Four years after winning the trophy in their own back yard England travelled to Mexico to defend it. However, even before the World Cup started things began to go wrong. During a pre-tournament jaunt in Colombia Bobby Moore was arrested for allegedly stealing a bracelet from a jewellery shop. The case was eventually dropped, but it left a sour taste in the mouths of the players and the staff.

England were again struck by bad luck before their quarter-final against West Germany when goalkeeper Gordon Banks came down with a suspicious bout of food poisoning. Banks had been in characteristically brilliant form – famously keeping out Pele's bullet header – and his absence against the Germans proved to be crucial.

Unlike most of the other matches in this list England actually dominated for a large portion of the game, so much so that midfielder Alan Ball actually taunted some of the German players. But the matched hinged on a mistake by Banks' replacement Peter Bonetti. In the 68th minute the Chelsea goalkeeper somehow let Franz Beckenbauer's shot squeeze underneath his body to hand the Germans a lifeline. They then proceeded to grab an equaliser to send the match into extra time, before Gerd Muller slammed home the winner.

England v Argentina, quarter-final, 1986 World Cup

In the history book of sporting cheats, Diego Maradona has surely earned himself an entire chapter. In the quarter-final of the 1986 World Cup, Maradona punched the ball over the onrushing Peter Shilton to open the scoring for Argentina. Cheat.

Incensed the England players appealed to the referee - who had been thoroughly duped - but the goal stood.

Despite the protestations, the tie was effectively settled by a piece of magic. Maradona, the only player in the world who could pull off such a feat, picked up the ball inside his own half, and with only 11 touches, single-handedly beat five England players, before rounding Peter Shilton, and scoring one of the greatest goals ever.

The game was a snap shot of Maradona's career: on the biggest stage in the world, fans at the Azteca Stadium and millions watching around the world saw both the mercurial best and absolute worst of the Argentine captain. Oh, and England went out.

England v West Germany, semi-final, 1990 World Cup

Italia '90 has the lowest goals-per-game ratio of any World Cup and was dominated by defensive tactics and aggressive tackling. Yet for some reason the tournament is still remembered fondly. Maybe it was the romance of the setting or the fearless displays by the tournament's surprise package Cameroon, but the likeliest reason for it becoming etched on the nation's conscious is down to “that semi-final”. Before Gelsenkirchen and Saint-Etienne there was Turin.

England's route to the final had been fairly unremarkable. They scraped through their group and needed extra time to beat Belgium and the Indomitable Lions in the knock-out stage. Then came Germany.

If England had had been convincingly beaten we'd have probably heard little of the defeat; instead they conceded the flukiest of fluky goals, equalised, then lost on penalties. Oh, and Paul Gascoigne reduced a nation of football fans to blubbering wrecks. As Gary Lineker said some years later: "Football is a game played by 22 players. And then Germany win."

England v Germany, semi-final, Euro 1996

England were inches away from only their second major final when Paul Gascoigne stretched for Alan Shearer's volleyed cross in extra time at Wembley. With the goal at his mercy, Gazza threw himself at the ball as it zipped across the goal mouth. German goalkeeper Andreas Kopke looked to have it covered but missed the ball thus presenting Gascoigne with the opportunity. But it was in that split second when Gascoigne thought the keeper would palm the ball behind him that he momentarily checked his run, breaking his forward momentum. To his, and rest of the country's, dismay the ball continued on its course and despite the midfielder throwing himself at the ball, all Gazza could do was connect with the lightest of touches. It is probably the most agonising miss ever seen in English football.

Alas, the game went to penalties and in the sudden death shootout, the pressure got to Gareth Southgate. All that was left was for Andreas Moller to thump his penalty into the roof of the net and ultimately ensure that football didn't come home.

England v Portugal, quarter-final, Euro 2004

Sol Campbell isn't known for his scoring ability, and yet had refereeing decisions gone his way, he would have put England in the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup and the semi-finals of Euro 2004. On both occasions, Sol rose above the rest and headed in what would have been certain winners, only for the referee to disallow it, twice.

In Lisbon in 2004, Sol's disallowed goal would have sent England through, scoring in the final seconds in a 1-1 draw with the hosts. Michael Owen's razor sharp finish in the opening minutes put England ahead, but the real turning point in the match came when a teenage Wayne Rooney limped off at the end of the first half. Without Rooney, Portugal dominated possession and in the 83rd minute Spurs striker Helder Postiga did something he was not known for at White Hart Lane, and equalised.

On penalties there was only ever going to one winner. Darius Vassell was the fall guy, and Portugal progressed.

This was England's golden generation in their pomp. Becks, Lamps, Stevie G and Owen, all at the peak of their powers - not to mention the sublime Rooney exploding on to the scene. If only Sol's goal had counted...