June 7 – England’s (and Becks’) Revenge
IF it’s not Germany inflicting World Cup heart ache on England, it’s invariably Argentina. Whether it’s Sir Alf calling them “animals” in ’66 or Maradona’s volleyball technique in ’86 it’s fair to say the games between England and Argentina are never dull.
At the 1998 World Cup, despite Michael Owen’s best efforts the Argentines again put paid to England’s World Cup hopes. They were aided by David Beckham’s impetuousness in that match and the young winger was vilified by the entire nation.
Four years later, in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, Beckham was now captain and rehabilitated in he eyes of the nation after his heroics in the crucial qualification game against Greece.
Waiting for Becks and England were Argentina. One of the pre-tournament favourites, the South American team was drawn alongside England in Group F, dubbed the Group of Death by the press because it also contained Sweden and Nigeria.
In the match itself, played on this day, it was England that began to look like world beaters rather than their much-hyped opposition and it paid off just before half time when Owen was brought down in the box. Penalty. There was only one man who was going to take it, the Hollywood script had Beckham stepping up for spot kick.
The Argentines did their best to put him off, Pablo Cavallero, the goalkeeper, marched over to Beckham and told him where to place the shot. Beckham ignored him. Then Beckham’s nemesis Diego Simeone, whose play-acting had earned Beckham his red card four years earlier tried to shake Becks’ concentration. Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes suggested he leave their captain alone.
The theatrics over with, the referee blew his whistle and Beckham leathered the ball into the back of the net. Beckham’s redemption was complete and he ran over to the England fans pulling at his England shirt and kissing the badge.
England held on to win, and should have even extended their lead during the game but no matter, the team, and Beckham in particular had avenged the defeat in France.
“It is a fantastic feeling. This is probably the sweetest moment of my whole career,” said Beckham after the game.
“It is a victory for the whole nation. When you play one of the best teams in the world, to score the goal that wins the game is very special.
“It puts the ghosts of France 98 to rest once and for all. I have always said I have never been nervous, but I was definitely nervous getting ready to take that. I just ran up and hit it as hard as I can and hoped for the best.
“There were a few antics going on before I took it. The goalkeeper was telling me where I was going to put the ball and Simeone tried to shake my hand. I didn’t shake his hand then, but made sure I did at the end.”
Beckham added: “When we got the penalty, Michael said ‘are you going to take it or me?’ but I wanted it badly. I may have scored the goal, but everyone in the team was fantastic.”
Meanwhile the Argentina players were not gracious in defeat. As Paul Scholes walked past some of them on his way to the coach after the match they yelled out “bastardo” at him. Needless to say, he, and England, had already had the last laugh.
England had another tasty encounter with South American opposition on this day in 1970 which you can read about here. Or if you’ve got something better to do, just pop back tomorrow to see what was happening in the world of football way back when.
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