Ranking England's Major Tournament Exits in Terms of Heartache

England may not have won the World Cup since 1966, but when it comes to crashing out of major tournaments in dramatic, heart wrenching fashion, it's fair to say we're up there with the world's best.

Be it the finest of margins, injustice or penalty shootout agony, just when you think they can't muster up another way of breaking your heart, England pull out all the stops and get you where you're least expecting it.

The list of England's heart shattering tournament exits is so extensive that Frank Lampard's 2010 goal that never was, Wayne Rooney's 2006 sending off and David Seaman's 2002 error don't even crack the top 10.

So grab a tub of Ben and Jerries and stick on some Adele as we rank and relive England's most heartbreaking major tournament exits.

1986 World Cup: Argentina 2-1 England (Quarter Finals)

Diego Maradona single handedly - in every sense of the word - brought England's World Cup dreams to a crashing end at Mexico 86.

After a slow start to the tournament, Bobby Robson's side had started to gather momentum, following back to back 3-0 victories against Poland and Paraguay. Gary Lineker was in the form of his life with five goals in his last two outings.

But two Maradona goals, both famous for vastly different reasons, gave Argentina a 2-0 lead. Lineker pulled one back nine minutes from time, but the Three Lions could not find an equaliser and were sent packing.

Heartbreak Ranking: The 1986 exit has the killer combination of the growing hope and expectation going into the game, coupled with the injustice of Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal. It's the hope that kills you. 6/10

2011 World Cup: France 1-1 England (Quarter Finals)

Having topped the group with an impressive 2-0 victory over eventual world champions Japan, the Lionesses were on the brink of their first ever World Cup knock out stage victory thanks to a Jill Scott opener against France.

But two minutes from time, Élise Bussaglia popped up with an equaliser to send the game to extra time. With Hope Powell using all her substitutes, talisman Kelly Smith was forced to hobble around up front for half an hour.

A penalty shootout ensued, and it looked like England might actually win one after Camille Abily missed the first spot kick and the injured Kelly Smith netted hers.

But Claire Rafferty failed to convert and captain Faye White missed the decisive penalty, in what was her final appearance at a major tournament for the Lionesses.

Heartbreak Ranking: Having had victory within touching distance, only to be denied by an 88th minute equaliser, and then to crash out on penalties was a cruel way to exit. 6.5/10

1998 World Cup: Argentina 2-2 England (Last 16)

England and Argentina played out one of the games of the tournament at France 98.

In a breathtaking opening 45 minutes, Argentina had led from the spot via Gabriel Batistuta, before Alan Shearer equalised for England with a penalty of his own. Michael Owen's iconic solo effort put England 2-1 up, but it was all square at half time after Javier Zanetti fired home.

The match took yet another turn just a minute into the second period as Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone. Sol Campbell had a goal controversially chalked off and, despite playing the majority of the second half and extra time with 10 men, the Three Lions forced penalties.

Paul Ince and David Batty failed to convert from 12 yards, and Argentina advanced at England's expense.

Heartbreak Ranking: This encounter does not quite have the same level of injustice of the '86 defeat, Campbell's disallowed goal aside (poor fella, hope that doesn't happen to him again). But the manner of loss was cruel, having the game decided by penalties despite battling so valiantly with 10 men. 6.5/10

Euro 2004: Portugal 2-2 England (Quarter Finals)

England's golden generation were at the peak of their powers at Euro 2004 and combined with the exciting, fearless 18-year-old Wayne Rooney who lit up the group stages, England fans were dreaming of going all the way.

The Three Lions had led against hosts Portugal through Michael Owen, but disaster struck midway through the first half when Rooney was forced off with a foot injury.

Helder Postiga levelled the scores seven minutes from time, before Sol Campbell (yup, him again) had a goal controversially ruled out on the stroke of full time.

Frank Lampard cancelled out Rui Costa's strike in extra time to force penalties, but David Beckham and Darius Vassell both missed from 12 yards to end England's hopes of silverware.

Heartbreak Ranking: This has so much heartbreak; Rooney's injury, Campbell's disallowed last gasp winner and penalty shootout agony. In addition, England were arguably the strongest team at the tournament, but just like that their hopes of ending the silverware drought were over. 7/10

1970 World Cup: West Germany 3-2 England (Quarter Finals)

Although Pele's magnificent Brazil team were regarded as the best in the world at the time, the general consensus was England were not too far behind - Brazil edging a 1-0 victory in the group stage - and the Three Lions boasted a better side than they had four years earlier.

Gordon Banks - at the time the finest goalkeeper in the world - was sidelined for their quarter final tie with West Germany, but any concerns were soon laid to rest as England raced into a 2-0 lead.

With England heading to the semi finals, Alf Ramsey substituted Bobby Charlton. The show of complacency spurred the Germans on, and Uwe Seeler scored twice to trigger extra time. Questions were raised over the role number two Peter Bonetti had in the goals.

Gerd Müller scored in extra time to bring England's World Cup defence to a premature end.

Heartbreak Ranking: Blowing a 2-0 lead, missing Gordon Banks and substituting Bobby Charlton is more frustration than heartbreak, but the fact it denied England a legitimate shot at another World Cup makes it all the more crushing. 7.5/10

2018 World Cup: Croatia 2-1 England (Semi Finals)

If this game could have ended after five minutes, the world would be such a happier place.

England had won a penalty shootout, made light work of Sweden in the quarter finals and were suddenly 1-0 up in the World Cup semi finals thanks to an absolute beauty from Kieran Trippier - football was coming home.

But after rarely threatening in the first half, slowly Croatia began to grab a foothold in the game and England began to drop deeper and deeper into their own half, with Ivan Perisic eventually grabbing a deserved equaliser with 22 minutes remaining.

Mario Mandzukic then struck in extra time to break England hearts.

Heartbreak Ranking: So near yet so far. Coming up against Croatia in a World Cup semi final was such a huge opportunity for England, but the Three Lions could not grab a crucial second when they were on top in the first half. 8/10

2019 World Cup: USA 2-1 England (Semi Finals)

The finest of margins denied the Lionesses a place in the 2019 World Cup final. Ellen White had cancelled out Christen Press' opening goal, before Alex Morgan restored the USA's lead in a high intensity first 45.

England thought they'd equalised when White applied the finishing touches to a flowing team move, only for her big toe to be ruled offside.

The Lionesses were presented with another opportunity to equalise with six minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty, but captain Steph Houghton - only put on penalty duty that day after Nikita Parris missed two earlier in the tournament - saw her spot kick saved.

Heartbreak Ranking: The exit of 'what ifs'. What if Ellen White had timed her run a fraction of a second later? What if Steph Houghton had buried her penalty What if life wasn't so cruel? 8.5/10

Euro 1996: Germany 1-1 England (Semi Finals)

Euro 96 was the summer for England fans. A major tournament on home soil and a banging soundtrack to accompany it.

After Gazza's moment of magic against Scotland and the 4-1 demolition of Holland, the Three Lions were daring to dream. England raced into a 1-0 lead inside three minutes through Alan Shearer, before being pegged back by everybody's favourite named German, Stefan Kuntz.

Paul Gascoigne came within a whisker of sending England to the final in extra time, but was millimetres away from connecting with Alan Shearer's cross at the back post.

Penalties were required to settle proceedings, with Gareth Southgate the man to miss the costly spot kick and break England hearts.

Heartbreak Ranking: The growing hopes and dreams of a nation were ended on home soil in the harshest of ways. And just how close was Gazza to putting that ball in the back of the net? 9/10

2015 World Cup: Japan 2-1 England (Semi Finals)

England had slipped under the radar at the 2015 World Cup, booking their place in the semi finals with tense victory over hosts Canada.

Reigning world champions Japan took the lead from the penalty spot, despite Claire Rafferty's foul on Saori Ariyoshi taking place outside the penalty area. England equalised through a fortuitous spot kick of their own, and after a closely fought second half, the game looked destined for extra time.

Bt in the 92nd minute, Laura Bassett inadvertently sent a Japanese cross onto the crossbar and into her own net. There was barely time for the game to resume, and England were out.

Heartbreak Ranking: There are few crueler ways to exit a major tournament than a 92nd minute own goal in the World Cup semi final. 9.5/10

1990 World Cup: Germany 1-1 England (Semi Finals)

Bobby Robson's unfancied England side, inspired by the flair and imagination of Paul Gascoigne, captured the nations attention as they reached the semi finals at Italia 90.

Germany led through a freak deflected goal, before Gary Lineker levelled 10 minutes from time to send the game to extra time. Gazza was booked for a late lunging tackle, meaning he would be suspended for the World Cup final, causing him to famously fight back the tears on the pitch.

The game went to penalties, with Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missing for England to end their World Cup dreams. Gascoigne was inconsolable at full time.

Heartbreak Ranking: Missing out on a place in the World Cup final on penalties is so cruel, with Gazza's tears completely summing up the heartache. 10/10