By Stefano Blin
Reuters
LONDON - England absorbed a 0-0 draw at Wembley with Argentina Wednesday in an international friendly match overshadowed by the death of legend Sir Stanley Matthews, who died at the age of 85 just hours before kickoff.
The news was greeted with stunned silence by the full house at the twin towers before spontaneous applause broke out in tribute.
A brief silence was held before the game for Matthews, who won the last of his caps at the age of 42. But on the field there was plenty of stake in a game which provided England coach Kevin Keegan a last look at his players before naming his initial squad of 35 for the Euro 2000 Championships this summer.
However, chances were at a premium with Leicester's Emile Heskey going closest for the hosts when his powerful drive was blocked by the legs of keeper Pablo Cavallero midway through the second half. Heskey worried the Argentinians with his pace and power up front while David Beckham was outstanding in the central midfield role before being substituted.
Little was seen of the Argentinians as an attacking force although Cristian Gonzalez had two strikes saved comfortably by David Seaman.
Argentina also suffered a huge blow when star striker Gabriele Batistuta had to substituted 12 minutes into the second half.
Alan Shearer hailed a battling England performance and paid tribute to Matthews. Shearer said: "We wanted to put on a good performance for Sir Stanley Matthews.
"Our sympathies go out to his friends and family. It was a shame we couldn't get a win for him. "I think we merited a win. We were really on top in the first half and one or two chances were flying around and that was the time to punish them.
England started brightly. Beckham and Jason Wilcox both tested the visitors' defense with early crosses while Heskey and Shearer made their presence felt up front. Indeed, Shearer went close for the home side after 11 minutes but his header from Beckham's corner hit the side-netting.
At the other end Ariel Ortega and Batistuta, who both earn a living in Italy playing for Parma and Fiorentina respectively, looked dangerous on the break with neat touches and plenty of pace. Beckham was left walking a tightrope after collecting a yellow card in the 19th minute for a high challenge on Cristian Gonzales.
Shearer almost put England ahead moments later but as he tried to connect with Heskey's low cross the Newcastle hitman fell to the floor in what appeared to be a trip by Jose Chamot. Despite furious protests by the England players German referee Markus Merk waved play on.
After 21 minutes the Argentinians threatened the England goal for the first time when a shot from a narrow angle by Cristian Gonzalez was beaten into the air by Seaman, who grabbed the ball at the second attempt.
England then gained a free kick in a dangerous position 25-yards out and Beckham curled a typically menacing effort inches wide of the far post with Cavallero scrambling desperately across his goalline. The Argentinians suffered a setback in the 35th minute when skipper Nestor Sensini had to be substituted through injury and replaced by Mauricio Pochettino.
England continued to enjoy the lion's share of the attacking and when the Argentinians countered Ortega was yellow-carded after a blatant dive when he advanced into the penalty area and was challenged by Kieron Dyer.
Heskey again caused problems for the Argentinians just before the interval when he burst into the penalty area and, instead of electing to shoot, he tried to square the ball back into the path of Paul Scholes and the ball was cleared.
The Argentinians enjoyed more possession in the second period and it needed a good tackle by substitute Rio Ferdinand to deny Batistuta after a flick on by Ortega.
Then Gonzalez skipped past Dyer and forced Seaman to save his low effort away to his left. Heskey continued to cause problems for the Argentineans and Chamot was booked for an attempted challenge on the Leicester player.
Then Heskey got on the end of a dangerous cross from Wilcox but his close-range header was deflected for a corner as England started to regain some momentum.
Batistuta went off for Hernan Crespo after 57 minutes and with went much of Argentina's attacking options.
Andy Cole, a substitute for the impressive Heskey, almost made an instant dramatic impact when his low shot was blocked by Cavallero with 10 minutes remaining but Argentina's defense held out to earn a creditable draw.
England:
David Seaman; Sol Campbell, Emile Heskey (78' Andy Cole), Martin Keown (45' Rio Ferdinand), Kieron Dyer (58' Phillip Neville); Dennis Wise, David Beckham (72' Ray Parlour), Paul Scholes, Jason Wilcox, Gareth Southgate, Alan Shearer (77' Kevin Phillips)
Argentina:
Pablo Cavellaro; Roberto Ayala, Rodolfo Arruabarrena (66' Nelson Vivas), Roberto Sensini (34' Mauricio Pochettino), Jose Chamot, Diego Simeone, Christian Gonzalez, Juan Veron, Javier Zanetti, Ariel Ortega (91' Claudio Lopez), Gabriel Batistuta (56' Hernan Crespo)
Referee: Markus Merk, Germany
Bookings: 18' Beckham, 23' Arruabarrena, 39' Ortega, 45' Wise, 58' Chamot, 90' Ayala
