Paul Robinson
                                                   
 
        Luke Young*                         John Terry                          Rio Ferdinand                 Wayne Bridge
       (Peter Crouch 80)                                                                                                          (Paul Konchesky 46)

       David Beckham (capt)           Frank Lampard*                     Ledley King                   Steven Gerrard
                                                                                                         (Joe Cole* 59)

                                                         Wayne Rooney                 Michael Owen

Subs not used: David James, Sol Campbell, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jermain Defoe, Phil Neville, Alan Smith, Robert Green, Michael Carrick, Jermaine Jenas

The Argentinean team that played was: Abbondanzieri, Ayala (Coloccini 74), Samuel*, Zanetti, Sorin (capt), Demichelis, Riquelme (Gonzalez 84), Rodriguez*, Cambiasso, Tevez (Cruz 81), Crespo (Saviola 70)

Although this was officially a friendly game, matches between England and Argentina are always very competitive and this was an excellent match to watch with both teams looking dangerous going forward. Argentina were leading the game 2-1 with four minutes to go but two late goals from Michael Owen gave England the 3-2 victory which was just about deserved. This was probably England's best performance for some time against a strong side from Argentina.

With both first choice full backs out through injury (Gary Neville and Ashley Cole), Luke Young played again at right back and Wayne Bridge started his first big game in a while at left back.

Michael Owen put the ball in the net in the first few minutes but the goal was ruled out for offside. Crespo also had a goal disallowed for pushing when he connected with a free kick from Riquelme. Wayne Rooney then hit the post before Argentina took the lead after 34 minutes. Rodriguez beat Bridge on the right wing and crossed the ball - it took a slight deflection off Rio Ferdinand and went through to Crespo who only had to tap the ball in to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. Just after that, Steven Gerrard could have scored with a shot from distance that went just wide.
 

                                
                             Beckham (left of picture) nods the ball on to Rooney who scores

Four minutes later Rooney did made the score 1-1 after receiving a flick on from David Beckham and scoring to the goalkeeper's left.

Argentina started the stronger in the second half and in the 53rd minute of the match Samuel headed in a free kick from the impressive Riquelme to restore Argentina's lead.

England then stepped up their attack and Lampard, Beckham and Owen went close before the last few minutes of the match. After 85 minutes, Wayne Rooney almost made it 1-1 with an attempted chip over the goalkeeper which Abbondanzieri just reached his hand to.

                                           
                                 Owen (left of picture) heads the ball across the goal for 2-2

A minute later Steven Gerrard crossed from the right side to the back post for Owen to head in the equaliser.

In the next few minutes both sides were going for the winner and just into injury time Beckham could have put England in front with a header that went straight to the goalkeeper.

                             
               Joe Cole lifts the ball into the penalty box and Michael Owen gives England the 3-2 win

In the 91st minute of the game Joe Cole chipped the ball forward from outside the penalty area and Owen beat substitute Peter Crouch to the ball to head the ball in to the goalkeeper's right and give England the victory.

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                           Michael Owen's partnership with Wayne Rooney won the game for England
 

Who played well:  Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen showed how dangerous England can be in attack when the team is playing well. Paul Robinson made several good saves and Steven Gerrard did well at left midfield, then central midfield and then at right back.

Who could have played better: Wayne Bridge had a difficult match at left back and was replaced at half time.