ENGLAND 1 - 0 ARGENTINA

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Argentina 0-1 England
Beckham 44 pen




Teams:

Argentina:
                
12-Pablo Cavallero 
                   4-Mauricio Pochettino 
                   6-Walter Samuel 
                 13-Diego Placente 
                   8-Javier Zanetti 
                 14-Diego Simeone 
                 11-Juan Sebastian Veron (16-Pablo Aimar 46) 
                   3-Juan Pablo Sorin 
                 10-Ariel Ortega 
                   9-Gabriel Batistuta (19-Hernan Crespo 60) 
                 18-Kily Gonzalez (7-Claudio Lopez 64)

England:
                   1-David Seaman 
                   2-Danny Mills 
                   3-Ashley Cole 
                   5-Rio Ferdinand 
                   6-Sol Campbell 
                   7-David Beckham 
                   8-Paul Scholes 
                 21-Nicky Butt 
                 18-Owen Hargreaves (4-Trevor Sinclair 19) 
                 10-Michael Owen (14-Wayne Bridge 80) 
                 11-Emile Heskey (17-Teddy Sheringham 56)

Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy)
Linesmen: Hector Vergara (Canada) Mohamed Saeed (Maldives)

Match Report

Well who would have gussed it England beating the joint competition favourites. What a game this was.From the very first minute enland looked in control.

It started off with the argentinians chasing every ball. Batistuta (being the dirty argentinian muppet that he is) decided that he was going to foul as many people as often as possible. About 14 seconds were on the clock when he was late on Sol Campbell, putting his arm in Campbelss face. From then on the game was looking to be a real thriller. Crunching tackles ensued with Batistuta getting a booking on 14 minutes for being very late on Ashley Cole, leaving his knee to contact the back of Coles leg.

As the game progressed England looked to be in control. Owen Hargreeves had to go off mid way through the first half due to an injury and on came Trevor Sinclair. Sinclair Pushed onto the left wing and scholes moved into the centre where he's alot more effective. Sinclair showed good movement and flair down the left hand side for England. Owen came Exceptionally close hitting the post. He was a constant threat throught the entire first half and looked sharp and lively and he just might have been able to pull of a miracle goal. The half was nearing an end and England looked like they were going to be robbed of not getting something for all their work in that half. Neadlessy Owen was tripped in the box and England were awarded a penelty. Beckham Stepped up to take it and finished it as cooly as anything. England went into the dressing room 1 - 0 up and deservidly so.

After the break it was vital that England went out and continued their sizzling form. For the first part of the half England played brilliantly. There were some good solid performances for Nicky butt and Paul scholes keeping the midfield tight and releising players. Nicky Butt was a suprise inclusion but he was put there for a purpose and he filled that purpose extremly well. England had yet more chances Owen, Scholes and Sheringham coming close. The last quarter of the game was extremly nerve racking for England. Argentina shwoing why they are favourites to lift the trophey, but England Stuck in and played extremly well. Great Defensive performances for Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Danny Mills and David Seaman. Special Mention to Danny Mills who did a great job tracking Lopez for the last 10 mins and Rio Ferdinand for his Towering Headers.

All In all a classic game, England deserved to win. Now England need to draw their last game against Nigeria who havn't exactly been great in this competition so far. Another Plus point for England is that David Beckham came through 90 Minutes of football. Lets just hope Owen Hargreeves is Fit.

Man OF The Match Rio Ferdinand and Nicky Butt