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Albania 1 (Rraklli 89) England 3 (Owen 74, Scholes 84, Cole 90) World Cup football home page _________________________________________________________________________ This World Cup 2002 group qualifying match away to Albania in Tirana took place on 28 March 2001. This match took place four days after the victory against Finland and put England back on track for World Cup qualification. The England team was: Seaman G Neville Campbell Ferdinand Ashley Cole (Wes Brown 30) Beckham Butt Scholes McManaman (Heskey 46) Owen Andy Cole (Sheringham 83) Albania: Strakosha, Lala, Xhumba, Cipi, Fakaj, Hasi, Vata, Kola, Bellai, Tare, Bushi Early on this game was frustrating for England fans to watch as although England had more of the ball they could not break down a good Albanian defence. Midway through the first half Wes Brown came on for Sol Campbell, who had an ankle injury. After the break Heskey came on for McManaman (who had been quiet on the left) and almost scored for England after a couple of minutes but he put the ball wide of the goal. Nicky Butt was unlucky not to get a penalty when Cipi looked like he had brought him down but after 74 minutes England scored at last. Gary Neville passed to Paul Scholes who fed Michael Owen running clear to score. After 84 minutes England were 2-0 up - Andy Cole got to the byline on the left hand side inside the penalty box and crossed to Paul Scholes who easily tapped the ball home from short range. Near the end of the game Albania made it 2-1 when their substitute Rraklli then ran on from a throw in on the right hand side of midfield - he got away from the England defence (who were slow to respond) and blasted the ball into the England net unchallenged. Seconds later Albania had an equaliser ruled offside. Then England made it 3-1 in injury time when from the left side Heskey gave the ball to Andy Cole who eventually scored his first goal for England.
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