Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

World Cup Countdown: 4 Weeks to Go - England Survive 'Group of Death' While Favourites Fail

When England were drawn with Argentina, Sweden and Nigeria in Group F for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, it was immediately dubbed the 'Group of Death'.

Favourites Argentina had qualified with considerable ease, while Sweden had won their qualifying group without losing a match. Oh, and England hadn't beaten the Swedes for more than 30 years.

Nigeria also had an impressive World Cup pedigree, having reached the knockout stages in the previous two tournaments.

Argentinian soccer players celebrate in the Monume

Whatever happened in Group F, two strong sides were going to crash out in the first round.