Might be wrong, but wasn’t the 5-1 win a little flattering for England? Naturally, it was still a result that any team in the world would be happy with. I don’t think we can count friendly fixtures but I can’t even remember the win over Brazil you mention and I do watch every England match still. Pre 2000? Well, I only started watching early 80s and discounting friendlies, I’d have to mention 1-4 v Yugoslavia in ’87 and of course the West Germany game in ’90.
Away victories in Scotland always fun too - England scoring to a near silent reaction - thinking 2-0 in '89 (Rous Cup I think) Waddle and Bull. Also, the Play Off in 1999, but I seem to remember more about the Rous Cup game.
A memory quirk mate, I remember games from my childhood better. As a kid, I actually got into watching football through England on the TV. Think it was the back end of the old Home Championships. I supported England before I really even knew of City. Didn't really grow up in a football household. City came to me when I was about 8 and even at that time, my feelings for England were at least equal (if not greater) of my love for City. These days mate, as I've said on here before, I couldn't compute that ratio, so distant it would be.
The last England game I truly enjoyed (probably because I was there) was England 4-2 Croatia at Euro 2004. I was 9 at the time.
Playing well in qualifiers has little meaning. And success in the finals of a WC can be more down luck, an easy draw, etc. Look at the 1990 WC - England were dire in the group stages - drew with ROI and Holland and managed a 1-0 over Egypt. Then came Belgium in a bore-draw for 119 mins and we would have probably lost the penalty shoot-out if Platt hadn't scored with virtually the last kick of the game. Next round we got lucky with the draw v Cameroon but we made hard work of that after going behind. Our only decent performance was in the semi v Germany. So we very nearly reached the final even though we had one decent game. It was still enjoyable though !!!
