Following disappointing tournament exits from England, such as the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Euros, it's easy to look back on fonder memories to remind you of the good times.
It's kind of like being a Liverpool fan - only history isn't filled with major success, just a few cult moments that once made you proud of your footballing countrymen.
Straight away, David Beckham's impeccable free-kick against Greece to take England onto the finals of the 2002 World Cup springs to mind.
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Despite the commotion that ensued following Becks' heroics, it was somewhat outdone by another free-kick later in the competition. In the quarter-finals, England came up against a star-studded Brazilian side which fielded the likes of Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Cafu, Gilberto and Ronaldo, as well as having Kaka on the bench.
Michael Owen, who was at the peak of his powers after picking up the Ballon d'Or award the year before, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Rivaldo cancelled out the young Liverpool striker's goal on the stroke of half-time, but the worst was still to come.
Five minutes after the restart, Ronaldinho placed the ball down 35 yards from goal for what had been set up as a routine free-kick. However, catching David Seaman off guard, he looped the ball over everyone into the back of the net, scoring what turned out to be the winner.
Seaman fell to the floor in tears after the match, epitomising the feelings most England fans experience during every major tournament.
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But that only happened as a result of England's successful qualification campaign and, particularly, the 5-1 drumming delivered to Germany in Munich.
The team was touted as one of the best England had the pleasure of fielding in a long time, but success eluded them. On that night, the starting 11 was predominantly made up of Liverpool and Manchester United players, with a smattering of men representing Arsenal, and Rio Ferdinand doing Leeds proud.
David Seaman started between the sticks, with Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole in front of him as the defensive four. Current England coach Gareth Southgate was reduced to the bench along with Jamie Carragher as the back up.
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In the centre of the park there was a colossal midfield partnership (at least it should have been on paper). Local heroes for their clubs, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes had turned national heroes for their countries. This was long before the pair would be pitted against each other and asked who was better. On this specific night, both were impeccable.
On the flanks was captain Beckham and Nick Barmby, who'd made the trip from Goodison Park to Anfield and had impressed under Gerard Houllier.
Up top, Emile Heskey (before he was a social media scapegoat) was joined by Michael Owen, while 'God' Robbie Fowler and Andrew Cole waited in the dugout.
In the opening 10 minutes, it seemed to be business as usual, with Carsten Jancker netting in the sixth. It served as somewhat of a wake up call for England, and hard work paid off when Owen scored his first of three goals in the 12th minute.
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Approaching half-time, England had a free-kick out wide. Beckham's first attempt to deliver the ball into the box was blocked, but the rebound fell kindly for him. His second cross reached Ferdinand whose neatly executed cushion header fell into the chest of Gerrard 25 yards out.
In the years to come it became apparent that giving Stevie G time and space that far out would result in the ball in the onion bag. However, back then, it was surprising from the 21-year-old.
Narrowly missing club team-mate Nick Barmby, the ball flew in. 2-1 England.
Gerrard's screamer and Owen's second of the night. Credit: Sky Sports
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Shortly after the break, Beckham worked tirelessly, almost as if there were three of him on the pitch. Winning the ball deep in the German half, he managed to swing yet another cross into the danger area.
Heskey rose well to get his head on it, drifting right into the path of Owen's right foot. Back then, Owen's ability was never questioned, and from 10 yards you'd put your house on it going in.
Owen's second of the night, and breathing space for England.
As the minutes ticked by, there seemed like there'd be no letting up from anyone in the team. Gerrard, mimicking his skipper's relentless attitude, won the ball back on the halfway line, threading a trademark pass which saw his old best mate, Owen, on his way again.
With Heskey in support, he went alone with only one thing in his mind: hat-trick.
Commentator Andy Gray said: "After years of getting kicked in the teeth by Germany, this is indeed turning out to be a special night." And that it was, but it wasn't ending there.
Owen bags a hat-trick and Heskey seals it. Credit: Sky Sports
To rub further salt into the wounds, England searched for a fifth. Who could put the cherry on top of the icing? Who, in a number of years, would be laughed at for his dwindling ability? Who would go on to become the butt of many jokes? Who would be a fitting man to make this night really memorable?
Step up, Emile Heskey.
It was Scholes' turn to make a mockery of the German midfield, playing a neat one-two with Beckham before releasing a no-nonsense perfect pass to the feet of Heskey.
Tucking the ball away, commentator Martin Tyler was beside himself, prompting one of the most memorable moments he's ever produced: "England are in again, it's Emile HESKEEEEEEYYYYY... IT'S FIIIIIVE."
Andy Gray summed it up neatly, saying: "I said dreamland, half-an-hour ago; this is more like fantasy island."
The line up and result proved to be emphatic, and that continued in club football. The united players in the squad, Neville, Beckham, Scholes and Cole were part of the Manchester United team that went on to lift the Premier League trophy.
The match against Germany had three separate scorers on the score sheet, all of which were Liverpool players. Owen, Heskey and Gerrard, along with Barmby, Fowler and Carragher, went on to complete a 'unique treble', defeating Birmingham City to lift the League Cup, comeback from 1-0 down against Arsenal to take home the FA Cup, and win a bizarre match against Alavez, won by a golden own goal, to lift the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League).
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League, qualifying for the Champions League with United and Liverpool.
Ferdinand and Nigel Martyn's Leeds United qualified for the next year's UEFA Cup, finishing fourth.
Both Steve McManaman and Owen Hargreaves had involvement from the bench that night, but enjoyed success with their foreign clubs, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, respectively. McManaman, who signed to Madrid from Liverpool for £2 million in 1999, went on to win La Liga. Hargreaves would win his first of two European Cups.
I guess the point is, bring back these fucking times will you, England.
Featured Image Credit: PA