Two minutes into the second half, Beckham went down under a heavy challenge from Diego Simeone. However, the Manchester United star’s reaction to the tackle would prove one to regret. Beckham, while lying on the ground, kicked Simeone into the back of the knee, the Argentinian making the most of his appeal to have England’s star man sent off – and finding his appeal successful.
Beckham was sent off, and England would have to try and go through with ten men.
Sadly, for England – and particularly Beckham’s case, England would go on to draw 2-2 after extra-time and lose on penalties, David Batty missing the crucial spot-kick.
The Aftershock
While it was obvious that the public would be disgruntled with Beckham given England’s elimination from the tournament, few could have imagined the backlash received.
Beckham’s effigy was hung outside a London pub, his face was printed on a dartboard in the Daily Mirror, and he received multiple death threats in the aftermath of the tournament, to the point where newspapers had to publicly appeal to their readers to stop abusing the Manchester United star.