England's Forgotten One-Goal Wonders: 39 Blokes Since 2000 – How Many Can You Name?

Picture this: you're midway through a cheeky pint, arguing over England's greatest nearly-men. Then someone drops a stat that'll shut the pub up – 39 players have scored exactly one goal for the Three Lions since the millennium turned. Not journeymen, mind – lads from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham are in there.

As reported by Planet Football via OneFootball, it's a proper head-scratcher of a quiz. You've got 15 minutes, clues on the year, their club at the time, and who they stuck it past. Reckon you're the oracle of obscure England stats? Let's dive in.

The Lone Rangers: Why Just One?

International footy ain't club level – fewer games, bigger pressure, dodgy pitches abroad. Plenty of solid pros got a rare start, banged one in, then vanished into caps without goals. Defenders celebrating like they'd won the World Cup, midfield grafters with one fluke, even strikers who flamed out.

These aren't mugs. We're talking lads who bossed the Prem, lifted trophies, but for England? One and done. Blame Southgate's successors, Sven's tinkering, or just rotten luck. Either way, it's gold for pub quizzes.

Sample the Sad Sacks (No Spoilers for the Full List)

Here's a taster to whet your whistle – name their goal details if you're proper clued up. We'll keep it light, no full reveals.

• Sol Campbell – The Arsenal colossus, early 2000s vintage. Luxembourg were the victims; he wheeled away like it was the winner at Old Trafford.

• Rickie Lambert – Liverpool cult hero, debuted with a pearler. Scotland felt the wrath in 2013 – tap-in or not, it counts!

• James Milner – Mr Everywhere, repping Manchester City around 2010. Mexico copped it in a friendly; fitting for the utility king.

• Andros Townsend – Tottenham winger's moment of magic. Lithuania, mid-2010s – pace and finish, pure joy.

• Alan Smith – Manchester United firebrand. Mid-2000s, Eastern Europe somewhere shivered.

• Micah Richards – Man City powerhouse defender. Israel, 2006 – headers from corners, classic.

• Darren Bent – Sunderland sharp-shooter, 2010 play-off heartbreak aside. Ukraine, what a night.

• Jermain Jenas – Post-Tottenham, Newcastle days. Azerbaijan, group stage relief.

• Fabian Delph – Aston Villa speedster. Lithuania again – Euro qualifiers, remember?

• Jonjo Shelvey – Swansea/early Newcastle, San Marino demolition. Laugher, but it counts.

That's 10 down, 29 to go. Obscure gems from West Ham, Everton, even lower leagues lurk. GK errors gifted some, pens for others. Your mission: pause reading, grab paper, hunt ‘em online or from memory.

Take the Challenge – Pub Rules Apply

Head to the original OneFootball video for the full rundown – clues galore, no cheating with Wikipedia mid-way. Time yourself: under 15 minutes? You're a stat savant. Over? Buy the next round.

It's these nuggets that make footy addictive. Not just Haaland's hauls or Kane's records, but the what-ifs. Who'd you have forgotten? Ledley King? Nah, he snuck two. Shaun Wright-Phillips? Zilch, poor sod.

Drop your scores in the comments – top scorer gets bragging rights. And if you're smashing it, maybe you're England selector material. Just don't pick another one-goaler.

Fancy more? We've got transfer tittle-tattle and match previews incoming. Cheers!