David Seaman
                                                   
 
        Danny Mills*                        Rio Ferdinand             Sol Campbell                   Ashley Cole
                                                                                                                                    

       David Beckham                  Nicky Butt                     Paul Scholes                Trevor Sinclair
                                                                                             (Kieron Dyer 49)                               

                                                 Emile Heskey                   Michael Owen
                                              (Teddy Sheringham 69)   (Robbie Fowler 46) 

The Danish team that played was:

                                                            Thomas Sorensen
                                                   
 
               Thomas Helveg               Martin Laursen              Rene Henriksen           Niclas Jensen
             (Kasper Bogelund 7)

               Dennis Rommedahl          Thomas Gravesen             Stig Tofting*              Jesper Gronkjaer
                                                                              (Claus Jensen 58)

                                              Jon Dahl Tomasson         Ebbe Sand
                                                       

England cruised into the quarter finals of the World Cup 2002 with an impressive 3-0 win against Denmark. Both Michael Owen and Emile Heskey scored their first goal of this World Cup to set up a quarter final encounter with either Brazil or Belgium on Friday 21 June.

England kept the same side that played against Nigeria whilst Denmark did start with Jon Dahl Tomasson after concerns that he would not be fit in time. Ebbe Sand returned to partner him in attack.
 

                                                             

England got off to a great start and went 1-0 up after only four minutes. A David Beckham corner was met by Rio Ferdinand at the far post - he headed the ball down towards the goal and the Danish goalkeeper, Thomas Sorensen, fumbled it over the goal line. Sorensen did then manage to push the ball out of his goal but it went straight to Emile Heskey who fired it into the roof of the net. The goal was given by the referee for Sorensen's fumble over the goal line - this goal was later awarded to Ferdinand by FIFA as they thought that "there was sufficient positive impetus from Ferdinand's action that he should have the goal".

A minute later Denmark's right back Thomas Helveg had to be replaced by Kasper Bogelund after picking up a leg injury.

Michael Owen and Emile Heskey then had chances before the second goal came after 22 minutes of the game. From the left side of midfield, Trevor Sinclair passed to Nicky Butt who knocked the ball forwards - the ball was slightly deflected off Thomas Gravesen and came to Michael Owen - from a great position just outside the six yard area, Owen hit an accurate left footed shot just inside the goalkeepers left post to make the score 2-0 to England.
 

 
Owen shoots and scores to make it 2-0      Heskey shoots to get the third goal for England
 

Five minutes later Ebbe Sand put a great chance just wide for Denmark but just before half time, the game was out of Denmark's reach as England went 3-0 up. A David Beckham cross from the right wing found Emile Heskey who hit a first time shot that curled and went under Sorensen's body as he dived to his left.

At half time Robbie Fowler replaced Michael Owen who had a groin strain and Paul Scholes (ankle injury) was replaced by Kieron Dyer four minutes into the second half.

Denmark started the second half strongly and early on a long shot from Thomas Gravesen forced David Seaman into a good save. Ten minutes into the second half, however, David Beckham's shot from the edge of the penalty area almost went in but Sorensen just managed to tip the ball over the bar.

After 67 minutes, Jon Dahl Tomasson could have pulled a goal back but deflected a shot from Bogelund over the bar. Trevor Sinclair could have put England further ahead three minutes later but he put his header over the bar after a cross from Fowler.

England started to wind down and look forward to the next match and Denmark had another good chance five minutes from the end - David Seaman had to save an effort from Claus Jensen to keep his third clean sheet of the competition.
 

Who played well:  most of the England players had a good game but Nicky Butt, Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand played especially well. Michael Owen and Emile Heskey will also be pleased they they got off the mark in this competition.

Who could have played better: The Danish goalkeeper, Thomas Sorensen had a poor game. For England, Danny Mills spoilt a good performance when he picked up a needless booking when England were 3-0 up (even though he had been wound up by the Danes).
 

Click here to see all England's results since Euro 96
 

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Note: This England World Cup 2002 website is also available using  http://clik.to/england 

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