Matthew Upson - International Career

International Career

Upson won twelve caps for the England U21 team and scored two goals. His performances for Birmingham City in the 2002–03 season led to his selection for the England senior squad and he made his debut for England against South Africa in May 2003. He won seven full caps while a Birmingham player.

Upson was named in Fabio Capello's first provisional England squad for the February 2008 friendly against Switzerland at Wembley. He was named in the starting line-up to partner Rio Ferdinand, winning his eighth England cap nearly four years after his last appearance. He was named in the starting line-up against Kazakhstan for his 10th cap, after John Terry picked up an injury, playing for the full 90 minutes.

Upson scored his first goal for England on 19 November 2008 in a friendly match against Germany. The match finished 2–1 to England and Upson picked up ITV's man of the match award. Upson was included in England's squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. On 23 June, making his World Cup debut, he played in the third match of the group stage, against Slovenia after being an unused substitute in the first two games. On 27 June he scored the only England goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup in the round of 16. It was Upson's second goal for England and his second against Germany, having previously scored in a friendly in 2008. This goal also made him England's joint top scorer for the 2010 World Cup, tying with Steven Gerrard and Jermain Defoe on one goal each. The game was a defensive fiasco for Upson, who, along with Terry was caught out by a goal-kick allowing Miroslav Klose to score the opener on 20 minutes. The defenders were also opened up for Lucas Podolski to score 12 minutes later. In the second half, Upson and Terry were caught on the break twice as England attempted to equalise. The game ended 4-1 to Germany.