When was the last enjoyable England World Cup qualifier?

The article reflects on England's football qualifying campaigns, highlighting their consistent success in terms of results but lack of excitement and ultimate disappointment in major tournaments. A defining image is Steve McClaren sheltering under an umbrella during England's Euro 2008 qualifier defeat to Croatia, symbolizing the unfulfilled promise of his tenure.

Statistically, England have an impressive qualifying record, having lost only four World Cup qualifiers in the past 30 years and remaining unbeaten since 2009. Their overall record since Euro 2004 qualifiers includes 84 wins out of 108 matches, with a points-per-game ratio equivalent to 95 points in a Premier League season—title-winning form. However, these matches are often routine and dull, serving merely as a means to an end rather than producing memorable excitement.

Despite the generally uneventful nature of qualifiers, a few outliers stand out, such as David Beckham's last-minute free-kick against Greece in 2001 that secured World Cup qualification, and Wayne Rooney's stunning full debut in a Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey in 2003. In contrast, the ill-fated Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia in 2007, where England needed only a draw but lost 3-2, remains a searing memory of failure.

The recent 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Andorra at Villa Park, which ended with thousands of empty seats, exemplified the Groundhog Day feeling of comfortable but uninspiring victories that long-time followers have come to expect, reinforcing the cycle of qualifying success followed by tournament disappointment.