One of England’s most memorable goals was scored at France '98 on this day 17 years ago.
The scorer was Michael Owen, then just 18, and he gave England a 2-1 lead against old World Cup adversaries Argentina in a ‘Round of 16’ tie in St-Etienne.
England had a terrible start to the match, Argentinian captain Simeone plunging to the turf after minimal contact with David Seaman.
Shearer celebrates his equaliser from the spot
Batistuta blasted in the spot-kick and England found themselves behind after just four minutes. But they were quickly on level terms, Alan Shearer shooting high into the net from another penalty after Owen had been tripped.
Then Owen, the precocious Liverpool youngster, took centre stage on 16 minutes.
He received the ball from David Beckham’s delicate chip and set off on a determined run that took him swiftly around Chamot and Ayala before a rifled shot left Carlos Roa clutching at thin air.
It was the goal of the tournament – but there was plenty more drama to come that night.
Paul Ince's penalty is saved by Carlos Roa
Two unfortunate incidents either side of half-time knocked Glenn Hoddle’s rampant England team out of its stride.
Zanetti scored from a cleverly- worked free-kick, peeling off the ‘wall’, and Beckham saw red after flicking a leg at Simeone.
But England’s ten men produced a defensive display of heroic proportions and hopes were high as the shootout commenced, with England believing they had the better ‘keeper.
Seaman did manage to block Crespo’s kick but Roa ruined England’s chances of avenging their ‘Hand of God’ defeat in Mexico 12 years earlier saving efforts from Paul Ince and David Batty.
