England v Wales: Previous five meetings ahead of Euro 2016 clash

By Raz Mirza

Image: Aaron Ramsey (centre) and Wayne Rooney (right) will meet again on Thursday

England meet Wales in a mouth-watering Group B clash at the Stade Felix Bollaert-Delelis in Lens on Thursday, but how have the Three Lions fared in previous meetings when they've come up against The Dragons?

Wales' opening 2-1 victory over Slovakia in Bordeaux on Saturday evening has given them a great chance to progress into the last 16 of their first major tournament for 58 years.

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And with rivals England held 1-1 by Russia in Marseille, the pressure is really on Roy Hodgson's men to win the 'Battle of Britain'.

Image: The Stade Bollaert-Delelis will welcome England and Wales fans on Thursday

Since 1879, England have beaten Wales 66 times, drawn 21 and lost 14.

Here, we look back at the five most recent meetings between the countries ahead of Thursday's tasty tussle:

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May 2 1984: Wales 1 England 0 [British Championships]

Manchester United striker Mark Hughes scored the only goal of the game and it came on his debut to give Wales their third win over England in seven years at the Racecourse Ground.

Image: Mark Hughes in action against Iceland during a fiendly match in Cardiff. The Manchester United man scored the winner against England

Hughes return to his hometown in Wrexham and scored the winner after 17 minutes with a well-directed header into the bottom corner past Peter Shilton in what proved to be England's final Home Nations Championship meeting with Wales.

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Oct 9 2004 England 2 Wales 0 [World Cup Qualifier]

With a team that included the likes of Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, England proved far too strong for Ryan Giggs and his fellow Welsh team-mates at Old Trafford.

Image: A sublime free-kick from David Beckham Old Trafford settled the contest

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side broke the deadlock inside the opening four minutes as Lampard's shot flew in off the heel of Owen. They made the game safe with 16 minutes remaining as Beckham curled a beautiful strike into the top right-hand corner of Paul Jones' goal.

Sep 3 2005: Wales 0 England 1 [World Cup Qualifier]

The Three Lions were a team heralded as strong contenders to win the World Cup in Germany but arrived in Wales at the 76,000-seater Millennium Stadium demoralised and demolished following their 4-1 unravelling in Denmark the previous month.

Image: Joe Cole came close with a diving header before sealing victory thanks to a deflected effort

But Joe Cole sealed a much-needed three points when his shot from Shaun Wright-Phillips' cross was deflected past Danny Coyne by Danny Gabbidon. England eventually finished top of Group 6 ahead of Poland.

Mar 26 2011: Wales 0 England 2 [European Championship]

The sides met again six years later in a Euro 2012 Group G qualifier in Cardiff and early Frank Lampard and Darren Bent goals turned the spotlight off Fabio Capello, who had endured a torrid week in the media over his handling of John Terry's reinstatement as captain, as England eased past Wales.

Image: Frank Lampard calmly scored the opening goal from the penalty spot

Lampard opened the scoring as he coolly sent Wayne Hennessey the wrong way from the penalty spot after James Collins clumsily brought down his Aston Villa team-mate Ashley Young.

Image: Darren Bent bagged a second to settle the contest in Cardiff

And the visitors doubled their lead on 15 minutes after more good work by Young down the wing as his cross was clinically dispatched by Bent six yards out.

Sep 6 2011: England 1 Wales 0 [European Championship]

In their final meeting five years ago the team ranked fourth in the world came out on top again, despite a disjointed performance. Capello's men did manage to record their first victory at Wembley for a year courtesy of Ashley Young's first-half strike.

Image: Ashley Young was the hero the last time the countries met five years ago

Wales' 4-5-1 tactics worked for a while, frustrating England, denying them space, before Stewart Downing dropped a shoulder to send Joe Ledley the wrong way to open up space ahead of him. The Liverpool man then cut the ball back for Young, who beat Wayne Hennessey with an emphatic finish. Robbie Earnshaw's wretched miss late in the day allowed England off the hook.

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