5 December 2009 - Clearly, They Didn't Believe In Cover Jinxes

On 5 December 2009, the Sun celebrated England's draw for the 2010 World Cup by using their opponents' names to form the word "EASY" on their cover. It turned out to be a little more difficult than they thought, however.

The draw, which had taken place the previous day in South Africa, placed England in a group with the United States, Algeria, and Slovenia. Calling it "the best English group since the Beatles," the Sun headline touted the draw as "England, Algeria, Slovenia, Yanks." Several commentators agreed, with former English international Jack Charlton going so far to say "I think it is probably the easiest of the World Cup groups."

It turned out to be anything but, as England struggled to draws with the United States and Algeria in their two opening matches. Going into the group's last match day, they were level on points with the United States and needed a result against leaders Slovenia to ensure their progress into the next round.

As it turned out, they advanced with a 1-0 win over Slovenia, but did so as the group's second place team after the US topped the group by defeating Algeria. The relief was short-lived, however, as both England and the US were knocked out in the next round with losses to Germany and Ghana, respectively.

13 October 1993 - Sorry, I Have No Idea Who Scored For Slovenia

On 13 October 1993, two former Yugoslavian countries reunited briefly for a football match, with Macedonia beating Slovenia 1-4.

It was the first match in Macedonia's history, coming two years after both Macedonia and Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia. Slovenia got a slightly earlier football beginning, playing a total of four matches (a win, a loss, and two draws) before hosting the Macedonian team in Kranj.

But although Macedonia's national football program may have gotten off to a slow start, the team did not, going up 0-1 in the third minute with a goal from striker Zoran Boškovski. They doubled their lead with a 37th-minute penalty kick from forward Darko Pančev. Pančev was Macedonia's highest-profile player, having moved to Inter the previous year after a four-year tenure with Red Star Belgrade where he was Europe's top scorer in the 1990-91 season and won both the European Cup and Intercontinental Cup in 1991.

Another penalty kick followed from defender Čedomir Janevski (48'), then midfielder Dragan Kanatlarovski provided their final goal in the 51st minute. (Kanatlarovski went on to manage the team from 2003 to 2005).

The two sides met again for Macedonia's second match, with Macedonia again taking the honors, winning 2-0 in Skopje.

18 June 2010 - The Comeback Kids Strike Again

On 18 June 2010, the United States scored twice in the second half to salvage a 2-2 draw after falling behind to Slovenia in the group stage of the World Cup.

The US had already rescued a point in their first match, equalizing against England to earn a 1-1 draw, while Slovenia claimed the group's top spot with a win over Algeria. The Slovenians looked certain to hold on to their position when they took a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from winger Valter Birsa (13') and forward Zlatan Ljubijankič (42').

But, as they had in the first match, the US displayed a combination of determination and resilience. They came out firing in the second half and were rewarded when Landon Donovan surged into the Slovenian box in the 48th minute and blasted the ball into the roof of the net from close range to close the gap to 2-1. The US continued to press for an equalizer and found it in the 82nd minute when a header from forward Jozy Altidore dropped for midfielder Michael Bradley, who then chipped it over the Slovenian keeper.

As improbable as the comeback had been, the US came close to winning it a few minutes later when substitute midfielder Maurice Edu put the ball in the back of the net. But the referee disallowed the goal for reasons that remain unexplained. Still, the point for the draw proved critical for the US, who were tied England on points at the end of the first round, but won the group by virtue of goals scored.