Argentina vs England, International Friendly

· International Friendly

Argentina

34': Hernán Crespo
53': Walter Samuel

FT
2 - 3

England

39': Wayne Rooney
86': Michael Owen
90'+1': Michael Owen

About

Argentina are hosting England at Stade de Geneve, , Switzerland, starting on . The match is a part of the International Friendly.

Match Timeline

0': The old foes clash again in Switzerland - but who will come out on top? This is no friendly. Join us live from 16:45 GMT
0': England team to play Argentina: Robinson, Young, Bridge, Terry, Ferdinand, King, Lampard, Beckham, Gerrard, Rooney, Owen.
0': The players are in the tunnel and are ready to get out on to the pitch. They are welcomed by a good crowd, and a decent atmosphere.
0': "Gid Save the Queen" is belted out by several thousand England fans. Not many of the England team sing along; they look very determined.
0': The Stade de Geneve holds around 30,000 fans, and it appears to be full this evening. The pitch looks in great condition, and Argentina kick off.
1': Demechelis gets his first touch; the Bayern Munich man is making his international debut tonight.
2': England have lined up with a 4-4-2 formation, with King in a holding midfield role in front of the back four.
2': Argentina also seem to be playing with a traditional 4-4-2, with Demechelis in the deep midfield role.
3': Argentina are playing in their 'away' strip of darker blue, rather than their traditional blue-and-white stripes.
4': The opening minutes have been very cagey; Argentina have had most of the ball, but they haven't been able to get it forward in an advanced position.
4': Rooney breaks down the left wing and is found by a good long pass from Beckham. The young forward runs at his marker and wins the first corner of the match.
5': Argentina deal with the corner well, but Young deals with the threat of the counter.
5': SHOT! Robinson is forced to make a fine diving save from Riquelme's shot from the edge of the penalty area. Corner...
5': ...A great delivery in to the penalty area, but King gets a foot in and Beckham clears.
6': GOAL! NO! Rooney chips a superb pass in to the penalty area, Owen lofts his header over the goalkeeper, but the flag goes up.
7': England appear to be happy to play on the break in the early stages; they are content to let the South Americans have the ball before breaking quickly through Rooney and Owen.
8': Lampard is ushering Bridge forward at every opportunity; he is inviting his Chelsea colleague to give England some width on the left.
9': Lampard brings down Riquelme, but escapes a booking from the Swiss referee.
9': SAVE! Robinson saves with his feet after Riqueleme clips a pass in behind the England back four, allowing Tevez the chance to control and shoot from a tight angle.
10': REACTIONS! Robinson is being made to work very hard; he pushes a first-time drive over the bar. Another Argentina corner.
11': Argentina are having the best of the opening stages; they are putting England under a lot of pressure at the moment.
12': GOAL! NO! Argentina have a goal chalked off after Crespo bundled the ball in to the net from Riqueleme's free-kick in to the penalty area.
13': Difficult to see where a foul might have been committed as Crespo prodded the ball past Robinson; England might have got away with one there.
13': Tevez and Riqueleme are dominating the game at the moment; everything good for the South Americans goes through those two.
14': England need to settle down and get a hold of the ball in midfield for a spell; they are being a bit over-run in the middle.
15': There are plenty England fans here, and they are trying hard to encourage their team.
16': This formation is forcing Gerrard to play a little wider on the left than he usually would; it's not his favoured position, but England need him to show some discipline.
17': Argentina have dominated the possession; they are very comfortable on the ball and are knocking the ball about in forward positions with confidence and skill.
18': Rooney finds the ball at his feet in a good position, but - strangely - his touch lets him down as he is tackled on the edge of the penalty area.
19': Beckham is fouled by Sorin, and it gives England the chance to send forward Ferdinand and Terry from the back...
19': Beckham sends a dangerous ball in to the Argentinian penalty area; King jumps, but Samuel gets his head to it first and clears.
20': Beckham is again brought down by Sorin as he tried to run on to Lampard's ball down the line. Another free-kick...
20': ...This time the delivery isn't as good, and Ayala heads clear.
21': Ferdinand makes a crucial tackle as Tevez cut in to the England penalty area. Corner to Argentina...
21': ...Riqueleme sends the ball in right-footed, but again Crespo is penalised as he attempted to head goalwards.
21': Ferdinand has looked assured at the back with Terry; it looks a solid partnership for England.
22': Gerrard sends in a cross from the left, but it's intercepted by Ayala. England have managed to get a bit more of a foot-hold in the game now.
23': King is doing a good job in front of the back four; he is trying hard to stick with Riqueleme and break up the Argentine attacks.
24': Owen makes a good run in behind Ayala, but the experienced defender climbs high to head away King's long pass.
25': England win a corner when Samuel is forced to put behind Gerrard's low cross towards Owen...
25': CLOSE! Beckham sends in the corner, and Lampard makes a good near-post run, although he plants his header wide of the far post.
26': Robinson shows good speed and awareness to prevent a corner when Riqueleme's long-range shot is deflected by Ferdinand.
26': BOOKED! Young is shown the yellow card as he catches Sorin out on the left-wing. Free-kick to the South Americans.
27': Riqueleme curls the ball in towards the six-yard box, but Robinson comes through the crowd and claims comfortably.
28': Rooney is starting to come deeper to collect the ball and orchestrate the England attacks; a good sign for Sven.
29': Beckham crosses superbly towards the near post; Rooney gets his head on the ball, but it rebounds off Ayala and Argentina win the goal-kick.
30': POST! Gerrard intercepts a loose pass, and brilliantly finds Rooney through the middle. The young forward takes a touch and flicks the ball over the keeper, but it rebounds off the post.
31': It was a great effort from Rooney; he controlled the ball nicely and chipped over the advancing keeper. So unlucky.
32': ALMOST! Rooney shrugs off his marker on the half-way line, beats two players for pace and advances in to the penalty area, but Ayala uses his experience to block the run.
33': YELLOW! Samuel is booked for a challenge on Beckham. The two players were team-mates at Real Madrid last season, but there didn't seem to be too much love lost.
34': This game is being played at a great pace, and has all the feel of a competitive, tournament fixture.
34': GOAL! Crespo turns the ball in from a couple of yards after Maxi Rodriguez beat Bridge on the left flank and sent over a good, low cross.
35': Bridge showed a bit of rustiness as he was beaten by Rodriguez, and Ferdinand should have dealt with the cross before it got to Crespo.
36': The goal came a little against the run of play; England had been having the better of the recent play.
37': OOOH! Gerrard slams a thiry-yard shot a foot wide of the post. Goal-kick, although replays show that Abbondanzieri got a fingertip on the ball.
38': Crespo is a great predator; he has scored 28 goals for his country now, and was in a great position to turn home the low cross from inside the six-yard box.
39': ROONEY! GOAL! Rooney caps a superb first-half performance with the equaliser as he gets on the end of Beckham's knock-down and places his shot past the keeper.
40': Rooney's 11th international goal, and it was well deserved; he has been at the heart of everything England have done so far this afternoon.
40': The equaliser was really heartily celebrated by the England fans and players; this has been a very competitive 'friendly'.
41': Rodridguez is causing Bridge and England plenty of problems down the left. Again he finds some space inside the penalty area, though his shot only finds the side-netting.
42': I don't think Sven will be too keen to bring on too many substitutes in the second half.
43': Rooney is playing out of his skin; he demands the ball from Bridge before swinging a great pass over to Beckham on the right. He then continues his run in to the area and almost gets on the end of the captain's cross.
44': SAVE! Robinson makes another good save as he tips over a rasping drive from just inside the penalty area.
45': HALF-TIME: A very entertaining half, played at a good tempo and in a good, competitive spirit. Rooney and Riqueleme have shone brilliantly.
46': SUB: Konchesky on for Bridge. England make an expected change. Bridge was never going to play a full game on his return from injury.
46': England kick off the second half.
46': Let's hope the second half is as entertaining as the first.
47': Konchesky will have his hands full with Rodriguez, but the Charlton player is match-fit and in good form.
47': Argentina win a free-kick as Terry fouls Rodriguez.
47': OVER! Riqueleme hammers a shot high over the crossbar from the edge of the area after a loose ball fell invitingly at his feet.
48': Lampard is booked for a late challenge on Rodriguez. The Argentine made a bit of a meal of the tackle, but is soon on his feet again.
49': ASTOUNDING SAVE! Rodriguez again causes trouble down the right, sends over an inviting cross but Robinson claws back Sorin's header. Replays show the Argentine attempted to punch the ball in to the net anyway. Where have we seen that before?
50': Young tracks back and puts in a crucial tackle after Argentina broke following a sloppy pass from Konchesky.
51': Riqueleme curls over a corner from the left, but Konchesky makes ammends for his error with a good header at the near post.
53': England are being forced to defend at the moment as the South Americans put them under a little pressure.
53': Argentina win a free-kick when Tevez collapses under what looked like a fair challenge from King. Riqueleme stands over the ball...
53': ...But instead of shooting, he clips a clever ball to the back post...
53': GOAL! Samuel sneaks in at the back post, heads across goal and Ayala puts the ball over the line.
54': Argentina take the lead for the second time in the match, and England will have some work to do to get themselves back in it.
55': There seems to be a little confusion about who will claim the Argentina goal; Samuel's header might have crossed the line before Ayala slid in to make sure.
56': Argentina have a spell of possession as England prepare to make a couple of substitutions. Joe Cole is readying himself for action.
57': OVER! Gerrard does excellently to burst on to a loose ball and drive in to the area. He gets to the by-line, cuts the ball back but Lampard batters his shot over the bar.
58': SUB: Cole replaces King for England. An attacking change for Sven; Gerrard moves in to a holding midfield role while Cole will operate on the left.
59': Rooney and Ayala both go down as they challenge for a long ball from Gerrard. The referee waves play-on.
60': Argentina have had the better of the second half; they have had a lot more possession and England haven't really been able to get in to the game.
61': OOH! Beckham collects a short pass and drives a great low shot goalwards from 30 yards. The keeper saves well, and Ayala is forced to put the ball behind.
62': No problems for Argentina as they deal comfortably with the corner.
62': England have only one more friendly before Sven names his World Cup squad.
63': LAMPARD! The Chelsea midfielder goes close as he smashes a first-time, left-foot half-volley an inch wide of the post from the edge of the penalty area.
64': Sorin and Young clash on the touchline, although the referee is quick to ensure it doesn't develop.
65': Cole drags a right-foot shot wide of the post after cutting in from the left-wing. He has done well since he came on for King.
66': The tempo of the game has slowed a little, although England will be keen to pick up the pace as they search for an equaliser.
67': Cole is booked for bringing down Riqueleme inside the centre-circle. Replays show that Cole's slide-tackle won the ball, although he did go in strongly.
68': England just can't get a hold of the game, and Beckham isn't helping; once again, he is coming inside as he searches for the ball, and England look hopelessly out of shape.
69': SUB: Crespo off, Saviola on. The Chelsea man departs with a limp, and the brilliant little playmaker takes his place.
70': Rooney is brought down by Demechelis, 35 yards out. Dangerous spot, and Beckham looks interested...
71': ...Abbondanzieri arranges his wall as he tries to protect the near post...
71': ...SAVE! Abbondanzieri makes a good low save to his left, before getting up and saving at the feet of Owen, attempting to pounce on the rebound.
72': It was a really good save from the Argentinian goalkeeper; he did well to get down to Beckham's initial free-kick, but he then did superbly to palm Owen's effort around the post.
73': Cambiasso requires some treatment after Terry fell on him as the pair challenged for the ball in the air during an England corner.
74': SUB: Coloccini replaces Ayala, and moves alongside Samuel at centre-back.
75': Cambiasso is back on the pitch after having a little treatment on what looked to be a facial injury.
76': Argentina are trying to break the game up as they attempt to close out the win; they are drawing fouls and trying to slow the tempo.
77': Coloccini flies through Rooney and brings down the young forward. The United player gets to his feet and trots off as the referee blows for a free-kick.
78': Riqueleme and Tevez combine to slip Rodriguez in down the right flank, but Konchesky stays on his feet and blocks the cross. Corner...
78': ...Riqueleme takes it short, but England press out and Argentina are forced back.
79': Rodriguez is booked for pulling back Cole as the Chelsea midfielder attempted to break down the left.
80': England prepare to make another substitution; Crouch is undertaking the rather arduous task of removing his tracksuit.
80': Beckham fouls Sorin out on the left wing. Riqueleme stands over the ball and swings in a right-foot cross, but Robinson claims easily.
81': SUB: Crouch replaces Young for England. Another attacking change from Sven as he searches for an equaliser.
81': SUB: Tevez off, Cruz on for Argentina.
82': Gerrard seems to have moved to right-back as England change their shape to accomodate the unique 'talents' of Crouch.
83': WELL DONE THE KEEPER! Robinson bravely makes two saves at the feet of Saviola and Riqueleme. He seesm to have taken a kick in the head for his troubles.
84': England win a corner as Robinson receives some treatment from the physio.
84': SUB: Riqueleme off, Gonzalez on for Argentina.
85': SLICE! Rooney smashes a volley from the edge of the area, but he doesn't catch it quite right and the ball balloons off at a mathmatically-impossible angle.
86': GENIUS! Rooney shows his quality as he side-steps two players and almost chips the keeper with a deft lob. Unfortunately for England, somehow Abbondanzieri tips the ball around the post.
87': GOAL! England make their pressure tell as Owen steals in at the back post and nods home Gerrard's superb cross.
88': England celebrate as though they have won the World Cup. Owen's 34th goal in his 75th international; a remarkable record.
89': England are forced to concentrate as Argentina win a late corner, but Beckham heads clear at the near post.
90': There will be three additional minutes.
90': NO. Rooney smashes another volley well wide from the edge of the penalty area.
91': SAVE! Rooney shows more superb skill as he beats a man and chips a cross in to the middle. Beckham meets it but the keeper makes a good reflex save.
92': GOAL! Owen brilliantly gets in front of his marker and plants another header past Abbondanzieri.
93': What a finish! Owen has surely won it for England with two late headers.
93': FULL-TIME: England will take a massive amount of confidence from this. A goal down with two minutes to go, but they stayed patient and pulled off a remarkable result with two late Owen goals.
93': Argentina trudge off disconsolately. The England players look on the verge of tears of joy. Thoughts of a lap-of-honour run through Beckham's mind, although he restricts himself to merely standing and applauding the England fans for five minutes.
93': So, well done England. Proof, if it were ever needed, that Sven's men have a decent chance in Germany next summer.
93': Thanks, I've been Alex. You've been wonderful. Stick with Soccernet for all the post-match reaction and quotes.

Game Information

Competition: International Friendly

Venue: Stade de Geneve
Location: , Switzerland
Attendance: 29,000

Line-Ups

Argentina

No.	Name
1	Roberto Abbondanzieri (GK)
2	Roberto Ayala
3	Juan Pablo Sorin
4	Javier Zanetti
21	Martín Demichelis
6	Walter Samuel
8	Juan Román Riquelme
19	Esteban Cambiasso
19	Maxi Rodríguez
11	Carlos Tevez
9	Hernán Crespo

Argentina Substitutes:

Leo Franco, Diego Placente, Gabriel Milito, Fabricio Coloccini, Lucho González, Sebastian Alejandro Battaglia, Julio Cruz, Javier Saviola.

England

No.	Name
1	Paul Robinson (GK)
2	Luke Young
6	John Terry
5	Rio Ferdinand
31	Wayne Bridge
4	Ledley King
8	Frank Lampard
7	David Beckham
4	Steven Gerrard
9	Wayne Rooney
10	Michael Owen

England Substitutes:

David James, Robert Green, Paul Konchesky, Sol Campbell, Phil Neville, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Jermaine Jenas, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Alan Smith.

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