England leave the '82 World Cup with an unbeaten record.

England faced Spain on this day in 1982, knowing victory by two clear goals over the World Cup hosts would take them to a semi-final meeting with France.

The Three Lions had stormed through the First Round group stage with victories over France, Czechoslovakia and Kuwait to progress into the Second Round group, where they were to face Germany and Spain.

A 0-0 draw with the Germans in the opening tie – followed by Germany beating Spain 2-1 – left England knowing exactly what they needed to do against the hosts and Manager Ron Greenwood altered his starting eleven accordingly.

Bringing in Tony Woodcock as an extra centre-forward to play alongside Trevor Francis and Paul Mariner, England were determined to make the necessary breakthrough, but the Spanish were standing firm and some crunching tackles on midfield dynamo Bryan Robson signalled their intent to stop England playing freely.

With the score still 0-0 after an hour, Greenwood made his final role of the dice.

He had been unable to call upon star players Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking throughout the tournament due to injury and although neither player was match fit, Greenwood made the gamble to put them into the action in replacement for Graham Rix and Woodcock.

And the move almost paid off. First Brooking cut in from the right and smashed a left-footed drive that produced an outstanding save from Arconada in the Spainish goal and then Keegan put a header agonisingly wide from a Robson centre when he seemed destined to score.

Those, however, proved to be England’s best chances and when the full-time whistle blew with the sides still inseparable, the Three Lions knew their fate.

England had gone five games unbeaten and conceded just one goal but they were still out of the World Cup.

For Brooking and Keegan it signalled the end of their England careers while Ron Greenwood also called it a day as Manager.