How have England fared in previous World Cups? The Three Lions’ best performances ahead of Argentina match

England look to end 60 years of hurt as they head into the World Cup semi-finals once again.

Tuchel’s Three Lions are set to go head-to-head with Argentina in what will be a historic clash, with captain Lionel Messi to face England for the first time in his career.

Across the years, England have had plenty of highs and lows at the sport’s biggest tournament, with drama never far away.

Here, we take a look at how England have fared in previous tournaments.

England’s debut appearance ended in a group-stage exit after a shock defeat to the United States was followed by another loss to Spain.

A first taste of quarter-final heartache, Walter Winterbottom’s side lost 4-2 to Uruguay despite goals from Nat Lofthouse and Tom Finney.

England were unbeaten in the group stage after draws with Soviet Union, Brazil and Austria, but because they could not be separated from the Soviet Union on goals scored or conceded, the two teams met in a play-off which Winterbottom’s side lost 1-0 and were subsequently sent home.

After beating Argentina to get out of the group stage, Brazil were waiting in the last eight and England went down to a 3-1 defeat in Winterbottom’s last match as manager.

English football’s defining moment came on home soil as Sir Alf Ramsey’s side won the tournament, thanks largely to Sir Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick in a dramatic final against West Germany.

Despite losing a memorable group game against Brazil, famous for Bobby Moore’s tackle and Gordon Banks’ save, England progressed to a quarter-final against West Germany, where they blew a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 after extra time.

After an absence of 12 years, England won all three of their group games, but then came unstuck in the second group stage, exiting after draws against West Germany and Spain.

Gary Lineker’s hat-trick against Poland helped England through to the quarter-finals against Argentina, where they were beaten by Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and stunning individual effort in another historic moment of English football.

One of England’s best runs was defined by Paul Gascoigne’s tears as Sir Bobby Robson’s men suffered a heartbreaking semi-final penalty shootout defeat to old foes West Germany.

Argentina were again the enemy again as a thrilling last-16 tie saw 18-year-old Michael Owen score a wonder goal, David Beckham get sent off and Glenn Hoddle’s side lose on penalties after Paul Ince and David Batty missed.

After Beckham’s group-stage redemption against Argentina, England, managed by Sven Goran-Eriksson, were beaten 2-1 by Brazil in the quarter-finals after Ronaldinho scored from distance.

England’s golden generation flopped as they lost on penalties to Portugal after Wayne Rooney had been sent off in what proved to be the end of Eriksson’s reign.

Fabio Capello’s side put in a dismal showing as they finished second in a group containing the United States, Algeria and Slovenia and subsequently suffered their heaviest World Cup defeat in a 4-1 last-16 hammering against Germany, where Frank Lampard scored a ‘ghost goal’.

Roy Hodgson’s England were eliminated at the first hurdle after group stage defeats to Italy and Uruguay, meaning they were already out by the time they drew with Costa Rica in their third match.

England’s best run in 28 years saw them finally win a penalty shootout against Colombia in the last 16 before Sir Gareth Southgate’s men ran out of steam and suffered a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Croatia in the semi-final.

After strolling through to the last eight, England’s hopes were dashed by France as Harry Kane missed a late penalty in a 2-1 defeat.