SM
Bayern vs. Augsburg: 19 hrs 18 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

On this day: Late Michael Owen double downs Argentina

:Headline: On this day: Late Michael Owen double downs Argentina: ID:117414: from db_amp
A late brace from Michael Owen helped England to a 3-2 win over Argentina eight years ago today.

Depending upon your age, England versus Argentina matches will evoke a certain memory.

Some will remember Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal during the 1986 World Cup, while others will recall a flicked leg from David Beckham that saw the England midfielder red-carded in the same tournament 12 years later.

Not many, though, will first think of a friendly match in Geneva eight years ago today.

While there was little riding on the outcome, the friendly had been arranged after both nations had secured their respective places at the following year's World Cup in Germany, so it was viewed as important preparation for that tournament.

In the early exchanges both Michael Owen and Hernan Crespo had goals ruled out for an offside and a foul respectively, before one of them eventually went on to break the deadlock in the 34th minute. Carlos Tevez worked the ball wide to Maxi Rodriguez, who in turn drilled in a cross for Crespo to prod Argentina into a 1-0 advantage.

However, within five minutes, the Three Lions were level. Captain Beckham rose highest to knock the ball into the path of Wayne Rooney and the Manchester United striker duly beat Roberto Abbondanzieri.

The parity did not last for long, though, because in the 53rd minute Argentina regained the lead. Playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme chipped in a free kick towards the back post for Walter Samuel, who guided a header beyond the reach of England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

England pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but after Frank Lampard fired over and Beckham and Owen saw shots saved by Abbondanzieri in quick succession, it appeared that their efforts were going to go unrewarded.

Nevertheless, with four minutes left to play, Steven Gerrard crossed from the right towards Owen and the frontman nodded the ball into the far corner of the net.

Owen, at Newcastle United at the time, then claimed the winning goal in stoppage time when he leapt above the Argentina rearguard to convert Joe Cole's cross, which sparked wild celebrations on the England bench.

ENGLAND: Robinson; Young (Crouch), Terry, Ferdinand, Bridge (Konchesky); Lampard, King (Cole), Beckham, Gerrard; Rooney, Owen

ARGENTINA: Abbondanzieri; Ayala (Coloccini), Sorin, Zanetti, Demichelis, Samuel; Riquelme (Gonzalez), Rodriguez, Cambiasso; Tevez (Cruz), Crespo (Saviola)

amp_article__117414 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2013-11-13 04:32:17:
html db last update - 2013-11-13 04:32:17 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .