David Beckham sent the nation into ecstasy and England triumphantly on their way to the World Cup finals with a moment he has never bettered in his extraordinary career. As 66,000 fans at Old Trafford and millions across the land celebrated the free-kick goal which ensured a place in the 2002 finals in Japan and Korea, the jubilant England captain said: 'It's the best feeling ever. We've done a lot of the hard work but we have to carry on now.'

With seconds remaining of an afternoon which had threatened miserable failure and England trailing Greece 2-1, the Manchester United star conjured a moment of pure magic which booked his place in national footballing folklore. A trademark 25-yard free-kick swerved into the Greek net in the 93rd minute to earn Sven Goran Eriksson's team a 2-2 draw and - with Germany held 0-0 at home to Finland - it was enough to leave them top of Group Nine at the end of the qualifying stage.

Eriksson later described Beckham as the 'world's greatest free-kick artist'.

The coach added: 'He really deserved to score the important goal because he had one of the best games I've ever seen him play. He ran all over the pitch and did everything to push the team.'

A jubilant Beckham joked that his wife Victoria's nickname for him - 'Golden balls' - had never been more appropriate. 'Maybe I lived up they did against a surprisingly efficient Greek team. However, few cared about that last night once automatic qualification had been secured in true storybook fashion.

Beckham, whose costly sendingoff in the 1998 World Cup on the night England lost on penalties to Argentina is now a distant memory, was a picture of joy as he was mobbed by team-mates and cheered to the echo by the supporters who packed the stadium where he has performed so many heroic deeds in the past.

'The character of the team was unbelievable,' he said. 'It wasn't the prettiest today and we had to keep battling. To come back twice like we did was special. 'It was a good time to score. I didn't know the Germany result but once I'd scored, I ran to the side and found out. It was a great feeling.'

Beckham revealed that his former clubmate Teddy Sheringham, who was fouled for the decisive free-kick, had wanted to take it - but was waved away by the captain. 'One had to go in,' said Beckham, who had made half-a-dozen attempts from similar range. 'I was disappointed with the others and Teddy said he wanted it. But I said it was too far out for him! 'In situations like that you remember the European Cup Final against Bayern Munich when we (Manchester United) came back to score two late goals.

'We showed how much we wanted to go to the World Cup finals.'

Eriksson, who continued to show his midas touch as England coach, was a relieved and jubilant figure. He was able to celebrate with his Italian girlfriend Nancy Dell'Ollio, and 14-year-old daughter Lina (from his first marriage) who were guests at the match. 'I'm very happy,' he said. 'It was a marvellous afternoon, although maybe not in the football sense - I don't think we played very well, especially in the first half. I think we wanted it too much. In the second half we were much better and showed a lot of character.

'We're in the World Cup finals and that's what counts.'

Sheringham, 35, scored the first England equaliser with his first touch. It enabled him to claim the distinction of the fastest ever goal by an England substitute. But he gave Beckham the credit.

The Tottenham captain said: 'We didn't play well and it was all about character. The captain showed us the way, ran himself into the ground and deserved his goal.'