John Motson: Remembering his iconic commentary for David Beckham's England free-kick | OneFootball

The legendary football commentator John Motson has died, aged 77.

Motson had a career commentating for more than 50 years for the BBC.

During that time at the BBC, he covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals.

He commentated on Match of the Day 1971 before his retirement in 2018.

There are many iconic moments throughout Motson's incredible career.

Motson's commentary for Beckham's free kick vs Greece

But we wanted to remember one that occurred back in October 2001 at Old Trafford.

We're talking about England vs Greece in a World Cup qualifier.

England would automatically qualify for the World Cup if they drew against Greece with results elsewhere going their way.

However, after going 1-0 down and 2-1 down it looked as though the Three Lions would have to endure a playoff match to make it to Japan and South Korea.

Step forward, David Beckham.

The England legend whipped in a trademark free-kick to send England through to the World Cup.

And Motson told the story perfectly.

"Everybody bar the Greece supporters praying for a goal," Motson began.

"Beckham to take. The 93rd-minute at Old Trafford.

"BECKHAMMMMM. YES! HE'S DONE IT! DAVID BECKHAM! FANTASTIC! IT'S 2-2! AND ENGLAND MAY STILL BE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP AUTOMATICALLY! IT'S A FANTASTIC ENDED TO A VERY, VERY POOR PERFORMANCE. AND HE'S A LUCKY MANAGER AND HE DESERVES THE GOAL BECAUSE BECKHAM HAS VIRTUALLY PLAYED GREECE ON HIS OWN!

Motson explain his commentary 20 years on

It was a difficult position for Motson to be in as he wasn't convinced that Germany hadn't taken the lead against Finland.

Twenty years after Beckham's free kick, Motson explained exactly what happened in that commentary box.

"It was spontaneous," Motson admitted. "I wasn't 100 per cent sure that England were going to qualify automatically for Japan and South Korea when Beckham scored because Germany were still playing Finland in Gelsenkirchen.

"I'd heard it was still 0-0 but had Germany scored in the dying seconds, they would have had more points than we did.

"Trevor Brooking and I both jumped up when Beckham scored. I've never seen Trevor so animated, he even knocked some of the equipment off the table in front of us, we were both so excited.

Rest in peace, Motty.