Andorra vs England: When David Nugent nicked Defoe’s goal | OneFootball

England travel to face Andorra in World Cup qualification tonight, a David vs Goliath clash when it comes to European football.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are ranked fourth in the world by FIFA as things stand, a whopping 169 places above tonight’s opponents.

England have won all six previous meetings, scoring 25 times in the process and conceding none. It’s a clash that has does not evoke much nostalgia, but it’s one that David Nugent will remember fondly.

Back in 2007, England were labouring against the minnows. Booed off after a goalless half-time in Barcelona, it required Steven Gerrard’s latest Roy of the Rovers impression to get England ahead. Gerrard scored twice to put the visitors in control, before Nugent marked his international debut with the third.

Usually, there would be universal appreciation for a debutant scorer, but it’s fair to say strike partner Jermain Defoe was a little miffed. Defoe’s effort on goal was crossing the line, only for Nugent to stab it in from millimeters out. Defoe gave a wry smile, but on the inside was clearly unhappy.

“Jermain Defoe had a shot, the keeper saved it, but it went under his body and was rolling into the goal,” Nugent later told the Express. “I used my pace to get there just in time before it crossed the line and tapped it in.

“It was going in anyway, but I decided I’d make sure. The pitch was a bit muddy, so it might have stopped in the mud.”

Defoe’s recollection was slightly different.

“Fuming,” he recalled to Rio Ferdinand presents.

“It was his first England goal so people were making noise about it. But I though, ‘I’ve made the movement to get in, I’ve shot, snapshot, it’s gone underneath the goalkeeper and I’m running away celebrating. He’s just come from nowhere and kicked it in the goal!'”

Nugent was never capped again, ending his England career with one appearance and one shamelessly stolen goal.

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