David Beckham went from villain to hero following his iconic free-kick against Greece – cementing himself as an England legend.

But his moment of redemption almost never happened, which could have cost the Three Lions their spot in the 2002 World Cup.

Beckham sent England to the World Cup thanks to his iconic free-kick against Greece in 2001Action Images

Beckham had been public enemy No.1 in the eyes of England fans in the wake of their 1998 World Cup last-16 exit to Argentina, which saw him sent off for a petulant kick at Diego Simeone.

But three years later he etched himself into England folklore as his last-gasp free-kick stunner sent his side to the finals in Japan and South Korea.

During the October international break 23 years ago, England needed just a point in their final World Cup qualifier with Greece to earn automatic qualification.

A loss would have seen them enter into a play-off with Ukraine, lifting Germany up to first place in Group 9.

And with just seconds left of the clash at Old Trafford, that looked to be the case as Greece led 2-1, before England were awarded a free-kick from around 30 yards out.

It led to one man stepping up, ready to carry the expectations of his country on his shoulders and become the hero they desperately needed… Teddy Sheringham.

Sheringham had already scored against Greece earlier in the match, and was high on confidence ready to turn the Theatre of Screams into the Theatre of Dreams.

But the Manchester United icon was met with a ruthless response from Beckham when he tried to get his hands on the ball, with the midfielder going on to whip the ball into the top left corner to spark jubilant celebrations.

Recalling the incident when speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone in 2021, Sheringham – Beckham’s former teammate at United – said: “I’d already scored to make it 1-1 in the game, so I was buzzing.

“I felt ten-feet tall, and I’d won the free-kick late on in the game, making the most of a shove from the defender.

Beckham went from villain to hero as he made amends for his red card against ArgentinaBongarts – Getty

The Three Lions icon refused Sheringham’s request to take the free-kick – leading to his most famous England goalAllsport – Getty

“Becks had probably had five or six free-kicks in that game, and they’d gone all over the place.

“He’d hit the wall, he’d hit Row Z, so when we got the last one I actually said to him ‘Becks, I’ll have this one.’

“He just said ‘Go away, Ted. You can’t even reach from here.’

“He had a point. I’d scored the odd free-kick in my career, but I saw Becks on a daily basis practising so I knew he was better.

“If you had to put money on someone putting the ball in the top corner in the last minute of a game, you’d put it on him.

“He told me to go away in the most polite way he could think of at the time, and ended up scoring. That’s what top players are all about.”

Beckham himself has admitted his goal against Greece was the turning point in his England career, insisting he finally felt he had made amends over his straight red card.

He remarked: “That was the moment that England supporters forgave me for what had happened a few years before.

“For me personally, that was redemption for what had happened — because up until then, there was always that cloud around the sending-off.”

He added: “That goal against Greece was when I felt the real England fans, and the fans that disliked me for a few years, all of a sudden were like, ‘OK, that’s it, we can move on now.’”

Sheringham was on target in the famous 2-2 draw with Greece – and was willing to be England’s hero late onAllsport

Thankfully for the Three Lions, Beckham rejected his offerAllsport

England are now preparing to face Greece yet again, although the stakes this time around aren’t so high.

The Three Lions welcome the Euro 2004 winners to Wembley on Wednesday night – live on talkSPORT – in the third round of fixtures in the Nations League.

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