Argentina 2
Crespo 34, Samuel 53
England 3
Rooney 39, Owen 86, 90.
Attendance = 29,000
Referee = Philippe Leuba (Switzerland)
The Argentina team left Geneva looking sad, the English looked decidedly happy. With 10 minutes to go, we were 2-1 down and even Sven looked miffed. The English Swedish manager actually got out of his chair and was barking orders at times. This was no friendly, take no talk on that one.
The Argentinians nearly put England to the sword in the first 15 minutes, but our goalkeeper Robinson was assured between the sticks. as time went on, we got into the swing of things. Lampard nipped a header from a corner just wide of the post.
On the half hour mark Rooney rattled the post and at last, the Argentinians looked rattled too. I was slightly bemused to see Crespo tap in the first goal, against the run of play, a nothing ball from out wide, after a deflection from Rio capsized our defence.
Gladly, maybe surprisingly, the England players paid no attention to the setback and nearly equalised 2 minutes later from a Gerrard long distance effort. It was not long, 5 minutes in fact, before Rooney anticipated Beckham winning a header on the edge of the Argentian penalty area. Rooney knocked the ball home and it was all level again. At half time the honours were even. A fair scoreline I guess.
Second Half >>
The second half started the same as the first, the Argentinians were on top. Konchesky was on for Wayne Bridge at left back but it did not help. It was all Argentina again. Their movement off the ball was worrisome.
A poorly defended free kick withing 8 minutes of the restart and it was 2-1 to Argentina, we were behind the 8 ball again. Of course, thereafter England huffed and puffed but looked poor going forward. We could'nt get Rooney in the game atall.
The country waited in anticipation, gladly Sven never waited too long. He replaced Ledley King before 60 minutes with Joe Cole and put Gerrard in the anchor role. Now we had our strongest side out. I was pleased. Granted Gerrard lacks the discipline to pay the anchor role properly. But he certainly has every attribute needed technically, if not the brain. Still no way through.
Plan B >>
With 10 minutes to go, Luke Young went off, Gerrard went to right back, Rooney slipped back a spot to support man, Joe Cole dropped back into midfield next to Beckham. Peter Crouch went up front next to Owen. The Argentinians fell to pieces. Crouch was taking balls layed from deep down on his chest that everyone else would have flicked on. We were in business. Argentina stuttered and looked baffled to me. I could feel something was going to give. An equaliser suddenly looked like the only thing possible to me.
2-2 >>
Om 86 Rooney swung the ball wide right, Gerrard poured forward into the space from right back. A decent cross, some inept bottle job defending from the Argentinians and Owen sniffing around the 6 yard box. The result was a headed backpost equaliser for England.
You know, there was 4 minutes left, but the Argies looked miffed. Crouch was winning everything he should and then some. Rooney was feeding off him, Joe Cole was taking people on, Beckham was everywhere. It was backs to the wall for Argentina.
In injury time, the real Joe Cole stepped up. Twiddled the right back with ease after floating through unchallenged from midfield, made space, floated the ball in nicely to Owen. Owen did what he does when service is forthcoming. A headed finish from 10 yards had the English feeling happy at 3-2, the Argentinians looked decidely beaten, as you do, when you get your ass kicked fairly and squarely.
A freindly was won 3-2 against top opposition, played at the pace of a full blooded international with a trophy waiting at the end of it. A good day for the English, a lesson for the Argentinians. Sit back with the English in full flow and you risk losing everything in 10 minutes flat.
Wonderful. England Blog Comment >> Today we roared loud in the end. 3 lions, 3 goals and a nice scalp for Sven to add to his tally. The Argentinians will not be looking forward to meeting England in Germany next year.
Posted at 6:17 AM, Sunday, November 13, 2005
5 Comments
Like your blog, very informative. Maybe you would like to check out my online Clown Supplies Store... only joking!
Genuinely good blog though. Great game last night too.
Anyway, just thought I'd let you know. If you want to check out my football related site then feel free.
By 
the armchair ultra, at 10:01 AM
Oh yes, was a good game. Not so sure what would have been said if England lost, but all's well that ends well.
Will take a look around your blog yes, for sure.
By Gamblog UK, at 10:08 AM
I think we played really well yesterday, I just wish we could play like that in competitive games.
Is it me, or is Beckham having the time of his life on the field just at the moment. He's become instrumental again.
As for Rooney, need I say more? You just need to listen to Mike Parry going crazy this morning (as usual) about his prowess!
We were just so up for it, if we play every opponent as if they were Argentina, we could well go all the way, but I have to say, I think I'm still safe in terms of running naked down my street if we win the world cup *grin*
BTW, I wonder if we can adopt the 'if they score 3 goals, we'll score 4'mentality? It works for Brazil. (ok, maybe not)
By Karen Scott, at 10:10 AM
Mike Parry is a goof. Rooney may well be borderline the best player in the world, but Parry is still a goof.
A tabloid newspaper on 2 legs. Not quite as bad as Kinghorn or Durham, but still a goof.
If we win the Wotld Cup and you keep your word about that streak, i'll get onto a couple of journalist's friends of mine down there to record the great event. ;)
By Gamblog UK, at 10:44 AM
Lol!!! Bring it on!!!
By Karen Scott, at 1:25 PM
♠ Tony Adams - Put Rio At Anchor
♠ Darren Bent Drops Down To Help Under 21's
♠ David Beckham Links
♠ Vassell For Argentina Squad
♠ Lampard Best Player In The World?
♠ Argentina Squad Named
♠ Prince William - New FA President
♠ Jenas On New Technology For Referees
♠ Chris Sutton Or Peter Crouch for England
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