MX23RW : Friday, December 13 10:09:02| >> :600:170556:170556:

On this day: Late Michael Owen double downs Argentina

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)

ID:117414: cacheID:117414:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4992:
Written by
Liam Apicella
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Steven Gerrard of England celebrates scoring the second goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifying Group H match between England and Poland at Wembley Stadium on October 15, 2013
Read Next:
Gerrard targets World Cup semi-final
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!