Argentina vs England, 2002 FIFA World Cup, Group Stage

· FIFA World Cup

Argentina

FT
0 - 1

England

44': David Beckham (P)

About

Argentina are hosting England at Daiwa House Premist Dome, Sapporo, Japan, starting on . The match is a part of the FIFA World Cup.

Match Timeline

0': The England team for this most crucial of matches has been confirmed - and it is: Seaman, Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, A Cole, Beckham, Butt, Hargreaves, Scholes, Owen, Heskey.
0': And Argentina line up like this... Pablo Cavallero, Mauricio Pochettino, Walter Samuel, Diego Placente, Javier Zanetti, Diego Simeone, Juan Sebastian Veron, Pablo Sorin, Ariel Ortega, Gabriel Batistuta, Kily Gonzalez.
0': The teams are preparing to make their way onto the pitch in this most space-age of venues... the atmosphere's building nicely now
0': Here they come: there's an absolute wall of sound to greet them
0': Not a spare seat in sight - this is the big one, a truly massive match. No hyperbole here
0': The national anthems are being played... the stadium is a sea of flags and colour
0': This most eagerly-awaited of games is under way - England get us under way and boss Sven Goran Eriksson is a picture of calm
1': Straight away, Campbell looks for Heskey - but Argentina deal with that
1': They have a goal-kick, which Cavallero hits towards Batistuta: that's out of play. England throw
2': Campbell finds Scholes on halfway, but Batistuta snaps in. Heskey flicks on, Ortega clears up
3': Gonzalez gets the first cross in for Argentina, and Seaman claims well with Batitsuta lurking
3': England's fans turn up the volume as Seaman plays it downfield. Hargreaves sets off on a run...
4': ...Zanetti is cool and composed, and the threat is snuffed out
4': Hargreaves is receiving a spot of treatment... meantime, Seaman comes out to take another cross
5': And Hargreaves is still being treated following that challenge... worrying signs for England
5': Sven's side temporarily down to ten men as Ashley Cole clears. Ortega tries to cross from the right, and England block again
6': Hargreaves gets back to his feet, a little gingerly... Zanetti gets too much space to drive forward, and hits a shot from distance
6': Seaman saves comfortably... Hargreaves is back on and Mills is penalised for a foul as he gallops down the right
6': Zanetti on the ball... Simeone in midfield: Argentina settling to some good passing now
6': Gonzalez shoots low after a clever Sorin flick... it skids wide, but that was an excellent move by Argentina
7': No doubt about which side is having the better of things so far: England are yet to discover any rhythm
8': And Argentina are on the attack again... Veron to take a corner from the right...
9': ...but the referee blows for a foul as Argentina attack the ball and England have a free-kick
10': Scholes finds Mills, who wallops the ball goalwards from outside the area - it's blocked bravely
10': Mills, who began his career at Norwich, looks more than willing to come forward at every opportunity
11': Veron on the ball - he wastes it, lofting that effort out of play. England's goal-kick
11': Scholes does well in a midfield tussle, and wins a free-kick for his troubles
12': It's aimed towards Mills, and cleared by Placente
12': Ortega and Zanetti link, Veron looks for Sorin and England clear with Ferdinand. Batitstuta goes in heavily on Ashley Cole and is booked
13': Not the most subtle of challenges from the striker, and even Sven looks riled by that one
14': England free-kick, wide on the left near the penalty area. Beckham to swing it in...
14': Argentina stand firm... but there's another free-kick after another Batitsuta foul. About 40 yards out and central...
15': Beckham tries an ambitious shot, which cannons into the Argentina wall
15': Another England free-kick: Simeone the guilty party this time. It's in a good crossing position and Beckham will mastermind it
16': It's not a good one though... Cole fouls Ortega as England try to win the ball back and this time Argentina have the dead ball
17': Sorin moves down the left for Argentina, but he can't keep the ball in play and it's an England goal-kick
17': Fast and furious in midfield... Butt challenges Veron, unfairly says the referee. Ortega fouls Butt seconds later... then Hargreaves frees Owen down the left and he wins a corner
18': The flag-kick is punched clear by Cavallero under pressure from Ferdinand. Hargreaves is struggling and will have to come off
19': His replacement is West Ham United's Trevor Sinclair. More injury woe for England
20': Cavallero is back on his feet after a groggy spell following Ferdinand's challenge. He plays it downfield
21': Ortega and Simeone scheming in midfield... back comes Heskey to break that up and Scholes moves forward
21': The final ball is too long, and that's an easy one for Cavallero
22': Simeone falls to the ground with a touch of added drama. Free-kick, but Veron's through ball is cut out and Heskey counters
22': ...but a foul by Nicky Butt brings an end to that move
23': Samuel has the ball for Argentina, and plays it aimlessly. Seaman comes to catch, but Argentina soon regain possession
24': ...not for long. Butt finds Owen who twists and turns and fires in a low shot...
24': It crashes back off the far post with Cavallero beaten. A great effort - and so close to giving England the lead
25': Veron at the other end, and he finds Gonzalez - who finds Batistuta with an absolutely superb cross
25': The header's good but Seaman saves... Owen breaks and is only just crowded out after another enterprising run at the Argentina back line
26': Then it's Sinclair's turn: Argentina only just clear as he jinks into the area and plays in a low ball
27': The game's beginning to open up after a tense and edgy start, and England are playing some good stuff now
27': Ashley Cole's on the run now after Butt plays another fine ball forward. Pochettino clears, and then fouls Sinclair on the right. Free-kick
28': Beckham can't get there, but England win it back and Heskey is crowded out. Ashley Cole is booked for a foul on Ortega
29': Mills plays a long ball forward, and it falls for Owen eventually... England passing well, but in the end the ball is thumped clear
30': Zanetti now, and here's Batistuta inside the area... it's crossed, cleared and Gonzalez volleys crisply from the edge of the box. It's over the top, but not by much
31': Veron prods the ball forward and there's some confusion until Rio Ferdinand takes charge of matters
32': Mills wins a throw, and then Campbell lanches the ball towards Heskey. That's Cavallero's
33': Goal-kick for England now, and Pochettino covers well as Heskey tries to make something of it
34': Campbell clears under pressure from Ortega after the purposeful Batistuta had won the ball for his side
35': Sinclair gets back as Ortega threatens again, and then Veron hits a loose pass straight out of play
36': Scholes finds Beckham and then Heskey challenges the dithering Placente on the edge of the area... but the ref blows for an Argentina free-kick
37': Beckham challenges Gonzalez, and then Mills clears - England defending really strongly at the moment
38': Nicky Butt proves the point, winning the ball from Veron. Sinclair takes it on and that's an England throw. Cole crosses: it's cleared
39': ...but then Beckham is fouled midway inside the Argentina half. He'll take the free-kick himself
39': It comes to nothing, and then Beckham is penalised for a foul on Gonzalez, who is bleeding from the nose after that collision
40': Plenty of noise from England's supporters as the first half comes down to its final five minutes
41': Gonzalez is still off the field as Argentina build through Sorin. He looks for Batistuta and his big hair, but England deal with it
42': Gonzalez is back on the field... Ortega fouls Ashley Cole. Scholes hammers a shot which is blocked but Owen takes it on...
43': He's brought down by Pochettino and England have a penalty!
43': David Beckham to take it...
44': He hits it powerfully, and Cavallero is beaten - Beckham scores from the spot and it's 1-0 England!
44': The breakthrough has arrived - and the skipper absolutely hammered that ball low into the net
45': Seconds left until the break... Sven looking cool, as ever. Ortega tries to hit back, but that's good covering from Sol Campbell
45': Veron crosses, Seaman claims. Batistuta was never going to get to that one
45': Gonzalez tries a shot, which sparks a scramble, which ends in an Argentina corner
45': Rio Ferdinand heads that powerfully away - to the delight of England's fans
45': The referee blows the half-time whistle: David Beckham's penalty divides the sides after an absorbing first 45 minutes
45': Pablo Aimar looks likely to come on for Argentina... not clear yet who he will be replacing
45': ...it's Juan Sebastian Veron. What effect will this change have? Here come England, to yet more noisy acclaim
45': And we're poised to start the second 45 - Argentina kick off
46': Aimar gets his first touch - it's a good, tricky run at the England defence and he's going to have a go at goal...
46': It's well hit, but straight at Seaman who gathers with no problems
47': Free-kick Argentina after a foul by Butt: Ortega tries to go down the right and Ashley Cole gets there
48': Then Mills intercepts as Gonzalez attempts to make something happen. Early pressure from Argentina, unsurprisingly
48': Sorin challenges for a high cross into the heart of the area - Seaman, again, is there...
49': From his goal-kick, Owen turns beautifully but drags his shot wide from inside the area. It could have been 2-0...
49': Mills crosses, Owen lays it off, Heskey shoots.. it's blocked - then Scholes hammers in a shot
49': Cavallero parries it - good play by England. Heskey is later booked for kicking the ball away: needless
50': Scholes, at the other end, tidies up as Argentina try to string a few passes together
51': Batistuta threatens, but then fouls Campbell to present England with a free-kick
52': Heskey attempts to cross from the right, but that slices out of play for an Argentina goal-kick
53': Campbell intercepts as Gonzalez looks for a through pass: good defending again
53': Aimar, though, starts another attack - that ends when Mills clumps the ball downfield...
53': ...back come Argentina again, but Batistuta, after a good turn, fires his shot wide and over
54': Scholes challenges Simeone and England are passing well... Beckham gets into the area, but his shot flies wide. Good football
55': Tricky Trev Sinclair is crowded out, and Heskey is struggling a little after some hefty challenges. Looks like it's time for Teddy Sheringham
56': Indeed it is: here comes Sheri, and that will bring something different to the England frontline
56': Owen races into the area after a good ball forward... Argentina are relieved to scramble that one away
56': Beckham starts another spell of England passing: each one greeted with an 'ole' from the crowd... a great cross finds Sheringham
57': He hits a stunning angled volley, and Cavallero responds with a fine save. Corner...
58': ...which Campbell heads wide. What an effort by Sheringham, who could hardly have hit that better
59': Hernan Crespo is being readied to come on as we approach the hour mark... Argentina trying to up the pace a bit
60': He replaces Gabriel Batistuta... in the meantime, England go forward and Sheringham tries his luck, but it's off-target
61': Great play by Ashley Cole wins the ball in a good attacking position - Sinclair, though, is caught offside
62': Crespo is penalised for handball as he tries to bring a pass under control. Free-kick England, deep inside their own half
63': Nothing comes of it, and Placente steers the ball forward. The flag's up
64': Pochettino stops Owen as he tries to burst through, and then Nicky Butt steps in as Argentina come forward. Butt's having a fine game
64': Gonzalez goes off and Claudio Lopez comes on as Argentina make their final switch
65': Sorin and Lopez link, and that move brings a dangerous free-kick after a challenge by Nicky Butt...
66': It's about 30 yards out - shooting chance for Argentina...
66': Lopez hits it and Scholes blocks bravely and superbly. England are working incredibly hard... Lopez crosses, and Seaman is commanding again
67': Forward comes Sinclair. He tries his luck after a good run and Cavallero holds on, saving low to his right
68': Aimar shoots after neat football from Argentina, but the effort - from just outside the area - flies over the bar
69': Beckham holds onto possession well, winning a throw on the right, which Mills will take
69': Sorin is there and deals with that well. ashley Cole comes forward for England and Pochettino fouls him... free-kick, and Cole is down
70': Beckham can cross dangerously here... it's from the left
70': Sheringham gets a clever flicked header in, and it drifts just wide. Astute touch from the Spurs man
71': But makes a good challenge on Aimar inside the area, and Argentina have a corner
72': Rio Ferdinand heads clear - not once but twice. Argentina, though, still have the ball...
73': The pressure's on as Ortega crosses: Seaman is there yet again. Another fine piece of keeping
73': He might have to produce some more as Ortega tumbles under challenge from Scholes to win a free-kick some 30 yards out
74': It's crossed in and Pochettino gets a glancing header in. It flashes wide, and that was dangerous. Crespo gets away down the right, and Mills gets back to concede a corner
75': Guess who's there? David Seaman, claiming well once again. Fifteen minutes between England and victory
76': Ashley Cole challenges Lopez well, and now it's Aimar in possession
76': Sorin tries an acrobatic shot when the cross eventually arrives... Ferdinand clears again
77': But Argentina are cranking up the pressure, seeing more and more of the ball. Another cross comes in, and Ferdinand is in the right place. Corner...
77': Pochettino meets it with a powerful header, which Seaman does well to stop. It's hacked clear, eventually. Nervous, nervous moments
78': Danny Mills is forced to concede another corner... and there's respite for England as the referee spots a foul inside the crowded penalty area
79': England have a throw inside the Argentina half. Owen turns and crosses - too close to Cavallero
79': Aimar threatens once more, and the ball is laid back to Zanetti - his shot is wild and wayward
80': Defender Wayne Bridge comes on and Owen, the man who won the penalty, goes off for the last ten minutes
81': Sheringham gets his head to a Beckham free-kick: Cavallero claims. Argentina move forward, but Lopez is caught offside
82': Ortega finds Simeone with a neat pass but Bridge, inside the area, intercepts
83': There's hardly any let up in the pressure England are facing - they must contend with another corner
83': Free-kick - the referee saw something he didn't like
84': Sinclair crosses, but there's nobody there... Simeone looks for Claudio Lopez with an excellent long pass, and Seaman reads the danger well
84': More pressure, but Aimar does England a favour with an overhit final ball
85': Five minutes, that's all. Sheringham concedes a free-kick on the edge of the Argentina area, and they bring it forward with measured precision
86': Mad scramble after Crespo touches the ball forward... Mills makes a fine interception. Another corner
87': And another clearance. Aimar tries a long-range blast, which is several million miles over the bar
88': Mills heads clear as Lopez tries to move down the left. Ortega... Crespo... Aimar... good football, Argentina have the throw. Everyone's back for England and Mills, again, heads it out of play
89': Beckham looks to get Bridge away... it's intercepted and Argentina cross again. And Seaman claims again
89': Scholes, magnificently, challenges Simeone... then Mills heads clear yet again. Sheringham thumps the ball further away
90': We're in the last minute... the tension is incredible as Samuel plays it forward and Scholes hoofs it clear
90': Mills is there yet again for England, and when Aimar plays it forward again the flag goes up
90': Two minutes of stoppage time, and Argentina hit it long. Cole wallops the ball away
90': Samuel now... Beckham blocks the cross and the follow-up is too long. It's a goal-kick and there are only seconds left
90': The final whistle blows - it's a fantastic victory for England thanks to David Beckham's first-half penalty!
90': Huge celebrations all round - that was a magnificent performance by Sven Goran Eriksson's team
90': It's the perfect antidote to the disappointment of the second half against Sweden: England 1, Argentina 0

Statistics

ENG		ARG
18	Fouls	21
2	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
1	Offsides	5
3	Corner Kicks	9
4	Saves	4
45	Possession	55
11	SHOTS	11
5	ON GOAL	4
0.5	On Target %	0.4
1	Penalty Goals	0
1	Penalty Kicks Taken	0
0	Accurate Passes	0
0	Passes	0
0.0	Pass Completion %	0.0
0	Accurate Crosses	0
7	Crosses	13
0.0	Cross %	0.0
0	Long Balls	0
0	Accurate Long Balls	0
0.0	Long Balls %	0.0
0	Blocked Shots	0
0	Effective Tackles	0
0	Tackles	0
0.0	Tackle %	0.0
0	Interceptions	0
0	Effective Clearances	0
10	Clearances	1

Game Information

Competition: FIFA World Cup

Venue: Daiwa House Premist Dome
Location: Sapporo, Japan

FIFA World Cup Table

#	TEAM	GP	GD	PTS
1	Netherlands	3	+6	7
2	Japan	3	+4	5
3	Sweden	3	0	4
4	Tunisia	3	-10	0

Full Table

Line-Ups

Argentina

No.	Name
12	Pablo Cavallero (GK)
13	Diego Placente
4	Mauricio Roberto Pochettino
6	Walter Adrián Samuel
10	Ariel Ortega
14	Diego Pablo Simeone
3	Juan Pablo Sorín
11	Juan Sebastián Verón
8	Javier Zanetti
9	Gabriel Batistuta
18	Kily González

Argentina Substitutes:

Pablo Aimar, Hernán Crespo, Claudio López.

England

No.	Name
1	David Seaman (GK)
6	Sol Campbell
3	Ashley Cole
5	Rio Ferdinand
2	Danny Mills
7	David Beckham
21	Nicky Butt
18	Owen Lee Hargreaves
8	Paul Scholes
11	Emile Heskey
10	Michael Owen

England Substitutes:

Wayne Bridge, Trevor Sinclair, Teddy Sheringham.

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