Roy Hodgson’s England team played 12 matches during 2013 - a year in which they qualified for their 14th FIFA World Cup Finals by finishing top of Group H.
They will line up in Brazil with the 31 other Finalists next summer after winning four and drawing two of the six qualifiers played in 2013. Their Finals spot was clinched with a 2-0 victory over Poland in October.
Frank Lampard scores against Brazil in February
The FA also celebrated its 150th anniversary this year and there were prestige friendly internationals to mark it against Brazil (home and away), Germany, Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Chile.
In the first of those, before a crowd of more than 87,000 at Wembley in February, England beat Brazil 2-1.
Here are ten interesting England facts from 2013...
- England’s win against Brazil in February was their first for 23 years against the five-time World Champions.
- England’s 8-0 victory in San Marino in March was their biggest since Turkey were beaten by the same score 26 years ago.
- England conceded less than a goal a game in their 12 internationals.
- England’s meeting with Scotland in August was the first between international football’s oldest opponents since 1999.
- Against Montenegro in October, England achieved their first 4-1 home win since the Euro ’96 tournament.
- Republic of Ireland made their first visit to Wembley for 22 years in May.
- Wayne Rooney scored six goals in ten internationals.
- Steven Gerrard captained England eight times.
- Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard reached 100 England caps.
- Unfortunately, after their 2-0 defeat in November, England still haven’t managed to score against Chile since 1953.
