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TEAM PROFILE
Michael Owen will be key to England's chances at Euro 2004.
England were impressive in qualifying and under manager Sven-Göran Eriksson they have lost just once in competitive internationals.
England started their campaign with a tricky tie away to Slovakia. After Nemeth gave the home side the lead, England were indebted to Beckham and Owen to take all three points away from Bratislava.
A disappointing draw at home to Macedonia was followed by a run of victories which propelled the Three Lions to the top of Group 7.
Wins over Slovakia (at home), Macedonia (away) and Liechtenstein (home) meant that everything rested on England’s visit to Istanbul.
A brilliant performance from England, especially Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, saw them record a creditable 0-0 draw and qualification.
European Championship Record
The Squad
|
Player |
Club |
Posn |
Caps |
Goals |
|
David James |
Manchester City |
G |
24 |
0 |
|
Paul Robinson |
Tottenham Hotspur |
G |
4 |
0 |
|
Ian Walker |
Leicester City |
G |
3 |
0 |
|
Sol Campbell |
Arsenal |
D |
57 |
1 |
|
Jamie Carragher |
Liverpool |
D |
11 |
0 |
|
Ledley King |
Tottenham Hotspur |
D |
4 |
1 |
|
John Terry |
Chelsea |
D |
8 |
0 |
|
Wayne Bridge |
Chelsea |
D |
16 |
0 |
|
Ashley Cole |
Arsenal |
D |
25 |
0 |
|
Gary Neville |
Manchester United |
D |
62 |
0 |
|
Phil Neville |
Manchester United |
D/M |
47 |
0 |
|
David Beckham |
Real Madrid (Spa) |
M |
67 |
13 |
|
Nicky Butt |
Manchester United |
M |
34 |
0 |
|
Kieron Dyer |
Newcastle United |
M |
21 |
0 |
|
Steven Gerrard |
Liverpool |
M |
23 |
3 |
|
Owen Hargreaves |
Bayern Munich (Ger) |
M |
18 |
0 |
|
Joe Cole |
Chelsea |
M |
16 |
2 |
|
Frank Lampard |
Chelsea |
M |
18 |
1 |
|
Paul Scholes |
Manchester United |
M |
61 |
13 |
|
Emile Heskey |
Birmingham City |
F |
41 |
5 |
|
Michael Owen |
Liverpool |
F |
55 |
25 |
|
Wayne Rooney |
Everton |
F |
12 |
3 |
|
Darius Vassell |
Aston Villa |
F |
17 |
4 |
|
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FRANCE V ENGLAND
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FRANCE  |
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ENGLAND  |
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Zidane 90', Zidane 90' |
Lampard 38' |
Zinedine Zidane's injury time free-kick pulled France level
England were brought back down to earth in the cruellest way possible, conceding two very late goals to lose a game against France they had seemed all but certain to win.
A first-half Frank Lampard goal and a performance brimful of bravery and commitment had Sven’s men 1-0 up with 90 minutes on the clock. It was then that Zinedine Zidane turned the game on its head with consummate strikes from a free-kick and then a penalty.
Sven had plumped for Ledley King in place of the rapidly recovering John Terry at centre half and the Tottenham man – playing against his new club boss Jacques Santini – hardly put a foot wrong. Not that he will be feeling very happy after such a rude ending to his introduction to international tournament football.
 The start was tense with France perhaps taking the first twenty minutes on points. Zidane and Vieira both fired in early efforts. England were fluid without being fabulous at that stage. It wasn’t until Gerrard picked-up a 25th minute pass from Beckham and drove right at the heart of the French defence that we really committed ourselves to a fully-fledged attack.
There was no doubting England’s commitment to the physical challenge though. Lampard, Scholes and Rooney led the way in denying the French time to think.
There were early jousts all over the pitch – the Pires/Cole confrontation was always engrossing - but you sensed the meat of the matter was still to come.
Then it happened. Gary Neville found his old ally David Beckham down the right and the England Captain was fouled by Lizarazu in the same spot that the team had been perfecting their free-kicks when they visited the Stadium of Light on Saturday night.
Beckham whipped it in and Frank Lampard won the right to meet the centre with a perfect near-post header which flashed past Barthez in an instant. Joy for the whole of England and credit to Lampard.
He has had the season of his life and made it impossible for Sven to ignore his claims to a starting place. His 37th minute strike unquestionably confirmed his ability to translate domestic excellence to international pedigree.
Jacques Santini has acknowledged England’s threat from set-pieces earlier in the week. Then again, we had had a feeling that Zidane might be a threat. Forewarned is not always forearmed.
The confidence the goal gave was obvious. They may be gods of football, but Henry, Zidane and Vieira can be overcome with the right combination of will and skill. However, that will now need to proven on another day.
 France and, in particular, Henry came out for the second half with all guns blazing. Two shots saved by James demonstrated the Arsenal man’s intentions as did his strong appeals for a penalty when Gary Neville got in the way of his cross from the left. This was the real Henry.
Scholes tried to redress the balance with a hefty challenge on Vieira and was promptly booked. He may need to watch himself if he’s to survive the tournament without a suspension.
When Zidane ballooned one over on the hour, you just wondered whether this might be England’s time. He must have been teasing us.
Then Rooney took centre stage. His 71st minute run through the heart of France was a force of nature. You felt sorry for Silvestre who had to try, somehow, to stop the teenager in full flow. He couldn’t do it legally and might have been sent-off for his wayward lunge.
Anyway, we had a penalty and the opportunity to move out of sight. Beckham struck his effort powerfully towards the left corner. Barthez made the save of his life to keep it out.
After disappointing during his spell at United it was just like football that Barthez should come back to haunt us.
Suddenly the momentum was most definitely with France. England dropped deep as Santini’s side began to pound the door rather than knock at it.
Sven brought on Heskey and Hargreaves in an effort to restore calm. Trying to do his defensive duties, Heskey fouled Vieira on the edge of the box.
 Zidane stepped up. There was literally seconds left on the clock. His free-kick was perfection. David James didn’t move.
England were rocked, France were roused further still.
Gerrard tried to find James but Henry got there first. James caught him rather than the ball. Clear penalty.
The French were celebrating before Zidane put his penalty in the same spot he had put his free-kick - only harder.
Emptiness, shock, disbelief and disappointment. England’s players and fans will share the emotions. But there is no time for them.
Switzerland on Thursday is now an even bigger game than this one.
Sven will tell his team to learn their lessons and take heart from their overall performance.
If we can, we might just get the chance to meet France again.
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ENGLAND V SWITZERLAND
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ENGLAND |
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SWITZERLAND  |
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Steven Gerrard scores England's third goal against Switzerland.
Wayne Rooney once again stole the show as England defeated ten-man Switzerland 3-0 to put their Euro 2004 campaign well and truly back on track in Coimbra.
Sweltering conditions took a little of the heat out of England’s display but Rooney’s passionate brilliance and a classy finish from Steven Gerrard brought home the three points that were so desperately required after defeat against France in the first game.
 England started slowly. Scholes’ tendency to push inside left Ashley Cole isolated defensively at times, forcing the Arsenal man to give away a free-kick on the quarter hour from which we were lucky to emerge unscathed. The Swiss’ set-pieces were worrying us.
England’s breakaways were scarce initially and Rooney was so keen to latch onto Lampard’s first through ball that he followed through on goalkeeper Stiel, earning a caution.
The England coaching staff are determined not to tame the instinctiveness that is the key to Rooney’s game, one just hopes that it won’t end in tears as it did for his hero Gazza back in 1990.
England’s strengths revolve around playing high-tempo football – as they did against France. That is simply not possible in the kind of heat in which this contest was played.
 With Switzerland’s more measured approach prospering thanks to the intelligent probings of Hakan Yakin, England were not finding it easy. So, with a quarter of the match gone, Steven Gerrard took matters into his own hands.
The Liverpool man ignored the conditions and set off on a trademark storming run straight down the middle. He was upended but the referee intelligently played the advantage allowing Beckham to float a ball over to Owen at the far post. Owen cut back inside on his right foot and curled in a centre.
Rooney powered himself into the air and bulleted a header home from six yards.
He was ecstatic, delirious, relieved and also the youngest-ever scorer in the history of the European Championship. It looks like we might have a player on our hands.
 The match tipped further towards England early in the second half when Haas was dismissed for two bookable challenges, the latter a cruncher on Cole.
England took advantage and Rooney and Owen both might have added to the score before the second goal, both just failing to latch onto long throughballs. Michael needs a goal – when doesn’t a striker? – but perhaps he is just waiting until we really need it.
It wasn’t until the introduction of the man who always seems to make things happen for England – Darius Vassell – that we took the game out of Switzerland’s reach.
Hargreaves, also on as substitute, cleared long and high from his own penalty area, fully aware that Darius’ speed will always make him first to the ball. Sure enough The Villa Express won the race and then the battle of strength.
 He laid the ball off to Rooney who thwacked it towards the goal. It hit the foot of the post and rebounded in off the back of Stiel’s head.
2-0. More evidence of Rooney’s incisiveness. Game over.
There was even time for a slick third when Beckham released Neville for a superb run and cross down the right. He found Gerrard free at the far post. He made no mistake.
We had England’s biggest competitive win since the crushing of Denmark in the 2002 World Cup.
England can play better – of that there is no doubt. But we would have certainly taken 3-0 before kick-off.
Particular credit must go to Ashley Cole for his excellent work down the left flank…and, of course, to Mr Rooney.
Roll on Croatia.
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