Beckham the hero as England stun Argentina

June 8, 2002

SAPPORO, Japan, June 7 (AFP) -- David Beckham laid to rest his 1998 World Cup nightmare by scoring the only goal as England secured a crucial 1-0 win over favourites Argentina in the 'Group of Death' here Friday.

England skipper Beckham blasted a 44th-minute spot-kick past Argentine keeper Pablo Cavallero after referee Pierluigi Collina pointed to the spot when striker Michael Owen was tripped in the box by Mauricio Pochettino. The win put England second in Group F, level on four points with leaders Sweden, who were 2-1 winners over Nigeria earlier Friday. Defeat left Argentina third with three points.

But it was Beckham's night, the inspirational midfielder exorcising the ghost of St Etienne four years ago, when he was sent off against the Argentinians and held responsible for England's exit from the World Cup. "It's just unbelievable. It's been four years, a long four years. It's been up and down but this tops it off." Beckham admitted taking the match-winning penalty had been a nerve-wracking experience. "Their antics, the keeper telling me where I could place the ball, (Diego) Simeone shaking my hand but that's the way they play." However, the England captain tried to deflect praise away from himself. "The team was brilliant for 92 minutes." Victory was greeted with relief and delight by England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, under fierce criticism for his tactics following his team's 1-1 draw with Sweden in their opening game last Sunday.

"I am very pleased. Of course it was very hard, the last 15 minutes we were tired - but we took our chances," the Swedish manager said. "I think we deserved to win the game and for 70, 75 minutes we played very good football." "It pleased me that we played football for more than 45 minutes - we came out second half and we created some chances," Eriksson said. "We did very well and we played with a big, big heart. "The players did a great, great job and I said thank you to them after the game." Asked about the final group match against Nigeria next Wednesday, Eriksson said England still had to play to get a result. "It would be very sad and very stupid to let it get away," he said. "I know they have nothing to play for but that makes it all the more difficult." Eriksson was cautious about England's prospects for the rest of the tournament. "This win was very important after the first game. We have to work very, very hard to try to go further on," he said.

Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa said his team now had to focus on the game against Sweden "and disassociate ourselves from the sadness of this result." "It was game of two different halves," he added. "The second was better than the first and we had our chances to tie the match." It was a deserved win for England, who carved out a series of opportunities in the second half and then withstood some furious Argentine pressure to hang on for a famous win and avenge their 1998 World Cup defeat. England twice came close to doubling their lead after half-time, which had seen Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa surprisingly substitute skipper Juan Sebastian Veron for the lively Pablo Aimar. First Owen beat the Argentine defence before sending his shot wide, and then man-of-the-match Paul Scholes unleashed a spectacular volley that had Cavallero scrambling to parry clear.

Beckham had the beating of Bayer Leverkusen defender Diego Placente, but attempted to finish with his right foot and failed to test Cavallero as his flicked effort drifted wide. England, bristling with confidence and with recalled Nicky Butt superb in midfield, again went close to scoring on 58 minutes. A patient build-up saw Scholes float a lovely pass to substitute Teddy Sheringham, who uncorked a venomous volley which Cavallero desperately beat away. Argentina piled on the pressure in the final 20 minutes, England's tiring players giving away possession cheaply again and again. The South Americans' relentless assault on the English goal almost paid off 15 minutes from time when Pochettino's powerful downward header was cleared off the line by England keeper David Seaman.

Owen had earlier come close to giving England the lead on 24 minutes after a quick breakout from defence sent the England striker racing away on goal. The Liverpool player was well-shadowed by the Argentine defence but sent a firm low shot through the legs of Diego Simeone which crashed back off the inside of the post with keeper Cavallero beaten.

England took the lead towards the end of a half in which Argentina's skilful side had looked to be taking control with some slick, confident passing. But a re-modelled English midfield, regrouping well after the injured Owen Hargreaves was replaced by Trevor Sinclair after 19 minutes and with , proved difficult to break down for the Argentinians. And with the threat of Owen lurking in attack the South Americans could never afford to drop their guard.