The England Soccer Team’s Greatest Goalkeepers

Banks played for England until 1972 and played 73 games for England. The International Federation of Football History Statistics ranked Banks as the 2nd-best goalkeeper of the 20th century, after Yashin, who was ranked as the best goalkeeper of the 20th century.

Peter Shilton

Shilton emerged as the clear successor to Banks during the 1970s, although he did not play in any of the World Cups of that decade as England did not qualify for them. His England career lasted two decades, during which time Shilton played a record number of games for the England national team, with 125 appearances for England. In addition to this, Shilton also kept a record number of clean sheets for the England national team, with 66 in total.

It would not be until 1982 that Shilton would play in the first FIFA World Cup. Shilton’s form in this World Cup was certainly impressive, as he kept four clean sheets. Despite conceding just one goal in five games, England still went out of the FIFA World Cup in the 2nd group stage without losing a game after three draws.

The 1986 FIFA World Cup was one in which Shilton and England reached the quarter-finals. In England’s game with Argentina, Shilton reached for the ball above the head of Maradona, but Maradona’s hand punched the ball past Shilton, leaving an open net to put the ball in. However, despite the handball, the referee still gave the goal that sent England out of the World Cup 2-1.

Shilton also played in the 1988 European Championships. This was not a good one for England, although Shilton played his 100th game for England against Holland. A Van Basten hat-trick ensured a 3-1 win for Holland in that game, which sent England out.

In 1990, a rejuvenated England team arrived in Italy for Italia 90. This was Shilton’s last World Cup, and it was also one that Shilton and England almost won. England reached the semi-final, where they played against West Germany, and as the game ended 1-1, it went to penalties. Shilton could not save the German penalties, which sent England out. As such, Shilton played his final game for England against Italy in the third-place play-off, which was his 125th England game, which remains a record number. Hereafter, Shilton retired from international soccer but continued to play at the club level into the 1990s.

End Of My Greatest Goalkeepers To Have Played For England Rant

Banks and Shilton were two of the greatest goalkeepers who played in England’s best World Cups in 1966 and 1990. Banks remains England’s only World Cup-winning goalkeeper and is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of the 20th century. Shilton played a record number of England games and kept a record number of clean sheets. Further to this, Shilton played over 1,000 games at club level.