The rise of captain Beckham

Beckham's magic boot did the trick against Greece

BBC Sport Online's Peter Sanderson looks at David Beckham's rise to prominence since he was made England captain.

David Beckham's dramatic goal against Greece ended any lingering doubts that he was not the man to lead out England in the World Cup.

As most of his team-mates cowered in the comet storm of pressure, the England captain turned in the greatest moment of his international career.

Now we can all understand why Sven Goran Eriksson puts so much faith in the darling of Old Trafford.

Leading my country is something that has helped me to progress as a person and as a player

David Beckham

Wearing his heart on his sleeve, the 26-year-old led from the front against Greece.

His phenomenal work-rate, his sumptuous right boot and his attitude put most of his team-mates to shame.

While Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard appeared to vanish, Beckham was mercilessly hounding the Greeks into submission.

It was only right that he scored the goal which booked England's ticket to Korea and Japan and sent the nation into delirium.

It was Peter Taylor who first recognised Beckham's motivational powers, handing him the skipper's arm band in England's friendly against Italy.

Coming just two years after he rocked the nation with his sending off against Argentina, it seemed a rash appointment from the then Leicester manager.

At the time Beckham said: "The England captaincy is the biggest thing to happen to me.

Beckham celebrates his crucial goal

"It still amazes me every time I think how I was treated less than two years ago.

"If someone had said in 1998 after my sending off in the World Cup that I would be leading my country out within three years, I would have laughed in their face.

"But being captain is simply a dream come true," he added.

The doubters insisted he did command the respect of Alan Shearer nor have the leadership skills of Tony Adams.

But Beckham surpassed all expectations, almost single-handedly guiding England to victory against Albania and ensuring a crucial draw against Greece.

It was ironic that he transformed what would have been one of the most embarrassing chapters in English football history into a dream in his own back yard.

In a frustrating afternoon's work, it was only his enterprise and endeavour which had troubled the Greeks until the dying moments.

I have a bit more responsibility being captain of England

David Beckham

On five occasions, his usually effective free-kicks had failed to truly trouble the Greek goalkeeper.

Then he placed the ball on his favourite piece of turf for one last try - and fashioned what will go down as one of his and England's greatest-ever goals.

Gone is the petulant immature Beckham - now all we see is captain marvel, leading his country with the same honour and pride as his boyhood hero Bryan Robson.

"I have a bit more responsibility being captain of England," he said before the Greek game.

"I think there are going to be people watching everything I do anyway, wherever I go.

"All that matters is that I can deal with it and I think I have done a good job of keeping my cool.

"Leading my country is something that has helped me to progress as a person and as a player."

He may have been England's most-hated person after 1998.

But he has certainly repaid the nation many times over.