5 legends whose actions cost their teams the World Cup

#4 David Beckham

Beckham dejected as he gets his marching orders

David Beckham, what's left to say about him that's not already been said. He was a fabulous footballer, is a global fashion icon, has his own line of grooming products and now owns a football club in the MLS. All was not rosy though at the 1998 World Cup.

Having made it to the team of the season, Beckham went into the World Cup with all the confidence in the world. The likes of Shearer, Scholes, Campbell, Adams and Ince among others, English fans would have expected their team to go deep into the tournament.

The Three Lions faced a strong Argentinian side in the round of 16. The match was off to a flier, with the score tied at 1-1 in the first 15 minutes. A penalty for each side was the highlight of the first half. The second half was where everything really kicked off.

Our man was right in the thick of things. A hard tackle from Simeone had gotten him all riled up and Beckham gave him a little kick back, in retaliation. Simeone made a meal of it and the referee had no choice but to send the winger off.

England went on to lose the match 4-3 on penalties and one man was blamed for it all, David Beckham. The fans were livid with him, effigies of him were hung on the streets and set on fire.

If Beckham hadn't acted out, there may have been a good chance the English team would have gone deep into the tournament given the stars at their disposal in every position.