Niclas Alexandersson became only the fourth Everton player to score in the finals of a World Cup tournament ON THIS DAY in 2002.

Sweden were playing England in their opening fixture of Group F and Alexandersson followed Gary Lineker, Stuart McCall and Kevin Sheedy in finding the net as an Everton player.

The Saitama Stadium in Japan was the venue and England, under a Swedish coach in Sven-Goran Eriksson, took the lead in the 24th minute when Sol Campbell headed a David Beckham corner into the net.

On 59 minutes, Sweden levelled. Danny Mills' scrambled clearance was picked up by Alexandersson, who produced an excellent finish from 20 yards. The game finished 1-1.

Everton’s Tobias Linderoth was also in the Swedish line-up that day.

There were four Everton players involved for England in the World Cup in Mexico ON THIS DAY in 1970.

The holders started their defence of the Jules Rimet trophy with a game against Romania in Guadalajara and Keith Newton, Brian Labone and Alan Ball were all in the starting XI.

Blues defender Tommy Wright entered the fray 10 minutes into the second half when he replaced his clubmate, Newton.

The hero of 1966, Geoff Hurst, scored the only goal of the game in the 64th minute when he picked up a cross from Ball and steered a neat finish past the keeper.