England football · The year in full
1981
England played 9 matches in 1981: won 2, drew 2 and lost 5, scoring 7 and conceding 9.
Tournaments and series
Biggest win of 1981
Hungary 1–3 England
6 June · FIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4
Played91981
Won222% of matches
Drawn2
Lost5Goals 7–9
Goals of the year
Top scorers
Oldest first
Every England match of 1981
| Date | Match | Competition | England scorers | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Mar | 
England 1–2 SpainInternational friendly |
International friendly | Hoddle 26' | England lost |
| 29 Apr | 
England 0–0 RomaniaFIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4 |
FIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4 | None | England drew |
| 12 May | 
England 0–1 BrazilInternational friendly |
International friendly | None | England lost |
| 20 May | 
England 0–0 WalesBritish Home Championship |
British Home Championship | None | England drew |
| 23 May | 
England 0–1 ScotlandBritish Home Championship |
British Home Championship | None | England lost |
| 30 May | 
Switzerland 2–1 EnglandFIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4 |
FIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4 | McDermott 54' | England lost |
| 6 Jun | 
Hungary 1–3 EnglandFIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4 |
FIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4 | Brooking 19', Brooking 60', Keegan 73' pen | England won |
| 9 Sep | 
Norway 2–1 EnglandFIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4 |
FIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4 | Robson 15' | England lost |
| 18 Nov |
England 1–0 HungaryFIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4 |
FIFA World Cup · Qualifier · Group 4 | Mariner 14' | England won |