Lot Essay
In what is still regarded by many as the most embarassing moment in England's International history, the unfancied United States defeated England 1-0 in the World Cup match played at Belo Horizonte on 29th June 1950. In fact, the manager of the American team, Bill Jeffrey, was quoted as saying prior to the match "we ain't got a chance".
England who had won twenty-two and drawn two of their twenty-eight previous Internationals since football restarted after the war were joint favourites with Brazil to win the World Cup this year. Interestingly, Jeffrey and his captain Eddie McIlvenny were actually both Scots, McIlvenny having gone to the States after being given a free transfer by Wrexham F.C..
England who had won twenty-two and drawn two of their twenty-eight previous Internationals since football restarted after the war were joint favourites with Brazil to win the World Cup this year. Interestingly, Jeffrey and his captain Eddie McIlvenny were actually both Scots, McIlvenny having gone to the States after being given a free transfer by Wrexham F.C..