It came down to a straight knockout clash away in Turkey, but Sven-Goran Eriksson's England qualified for the 2004 European Championships courtesy of a 0-0 draw in Istanbul.
Consequently, the Three Lions avoided the uncertainty of the playoffs and so a friendly match was arranged with Denmark at Old Trafford 10 years ago today.
Even at the age of 18, Wayne Rooney had made himself a regular in the England starting lineup and his reputation at international level continued to grow when he fired his third goal for his country into the roof of the net with just five minutes on the clock.
However, within three minutes, the visiting Danes were level as Martin Jorgensen ghosted in at the back post to send a half-volley beyond a static David James.
Forty-two seconds later, though, the hosts were back in front. Rooney was the creator on this occasion, slotting a square pass through for Joe Cole, who found the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.
England failed to press home their advantage and as the match approached the 30-minute mark, the Danes equalised for a second time. Matthew Upson first failed to clear the danger with a header and when the ball dropped to Jorgensen, he was upended by the Birmingham City defender. A penalty was awarded, which Jorgensen duly converted.
Rooney continued to be England's shining light after the restart and he went close to adding a third for the home team, but his effort from a narrow angle rebounded to safety off the upright.
Chances were created at both ends of the pitch, but it was the visitors that eventually claimed the victory with eight minutes left to play. Substitute goalkeeper Paul Robinson failed to hold Peter Lovenkrands's strike from distance, which allowed former Newcastle United striker Jon Dahl Tomasson to dispatch the rebound.
The victory marked the first for the Danes over England in six attempts.
ENGLAND: James (Robinson); G Neville (Johnson), Terry, Upson, A Cole (Bridge); Beckham (Jenas), Butt (P Neville), Lampard, J Cole (Murphy); Heskey (Beattie), Rooney (Parker)
DENMARK: Sorensen; Helveg (Priske), Henriksen, Nielsen (Gaardsoe), N Jensen; Gronkjaer (Lovenkrands), Wieghorst (D Jensen), Gravesen, Jorgensen (Madsen), Rommedahl (Perez); Sand (Tomasson)
Liam Apicella
