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 WHAT COULD YOU ASK FOR MORE? AMAZING!
Posted on:Sunday September 2, 2001
GERMANY 1, ENGLAND 5
It was a night when even the
seemingly impossible came true. When the pride was restored to English football
with a vengeance. Remember the date - September 1, 2001. For that was when a
reborn England side produced one of the country's most compelling displays in
living memory in vanquishing Germany 5-1 in Munich.
When automatic World Cup
qualification became a realistic goal, with England's superior goal difference
meaning that victories in their remaining two games will now take them through
to the finals.
But more than the scale of the
win, however stunning that was, with Michael Owen hitting a hat-trick that will
linger long in the memory and Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey also scoring, it
was the manner of it that counted.
For this was when the
revolution being effected by Sven-Goran Eriksson dramatically scaled new
heights.
Of course, one victory does not
make a World Cup-winning side and England need sustained progress, but this was
when a young side grew up, showed their immense promise and stirred an entire
country.
This was a display of maturity,
assurance and promise, coming back from even conceding the first goal to eclipse
probably even the 4-1 win against Holland at Euro '96.
In just seven months, Eriksson
has effected the quietest, but most dramatic, of revolutions, producing a side
that is unrecognisable from the team that lost 1-0 at Wembley to Germany last
October.
And while this side performed
superbly as a whole, it was still three individuals who, along with Paul Scholes,
underpin everything that Eriksson is attempting to achieve, that guided them
home.
With his hat-trick, Owen
confirmed his ability to score on the biggest occasions as well as his status as
one of the world's leading strikers, taking his England tally to 13 from 31
games.
In recovering from injury to
lead his side with such passion, David Beckham showed both courage and
character, while Gerrard is indisputably England's chief inspiration and
talisman.
When Gerrard plays, England
win. But no one could ever have imagined a victory like this one against a
country who had previously lost just one World Cup qualifier in 60 matches.
Especially not after six
minutes, when England fell behind as they failed to heed Eriksson's pre-match
warning to cut down the space allowed to playmaker Sebastian Deisler.
The 21-year-old midfielder was
allowed to advance unchecked before chipping the ball to team-mate Oliver
Neuville, who flicked it into the path of Jancker.
The centre-forward has not so
much been criticised as derided in England for his lack of athleticism but he
can at least finish inside the six-yard box and he comfortably beat the exposed
figure of David Seaman.
To their immense credit,
England did not panic but merely rolled up their sleeves and played their way
back into the match.
Their equaliser, six minutes
later, came as a result of a Beckham free-kick, but not as the England captain
would have intended.
His dead-ball effort was
overhit but Gerrard chased it to the byline and clipped the ball back over his
shoulder for Gary Neville to head goalwards, with Nicky Barmby flicking it on to
Owen.
The Liverpool striker patiently
waited for the ball to bounce before exhibiting supreme control in keeping his
unerring finish low.
Game on. Beckham's next
free-kick flashed past the upright but England still needed a massive stroke of
good fortune when Neuville's cross presented Deisler with the goal at his mercy
only to mis-hit his shot wide.
England nevertheless continued
to exploit Owen's pace with balls over the top, while Beckham struck the wall on
the goal-line with a free-kick from 10 yards out after Kahn had picked up a
back-pass.
With Gerrard now making his
presence felt after an uncertain start, Dietmar Hamann was left sprawling with
several thundering challenges, while Ashley Cole matched his example with some
powerful surging runs.
Germany briefly came back into
the game, with a snap-shot by Neuville flying wide and then Seaman producing a
superb save to tip Jorg Bohme's low drive round the post.
What England needed was a
moment of inspiration and that was exactly what they got, a full four minutes
into injury-time.
When Beckham's cross was laid
back by Ferdinand into Gerrard's path, the midfielder was still 25 yards out,
but he let fly with a memorable drive that was a goal from the moment it left
his foot.
There was hardly time for
Germany even to kick off again and they were further behind almost as quickly
after the restart as Owen struck again.
Beckham was again manning the
supply lines, with Heskey nodding the ball onwards for Owen to finish superbly,
with Kahn getting his hand to the ball but not preventing it from nestling
inside the post.
Germany were stung into action,
with England perhaps guilty of sitting back too deep, but Germany misfired in
front of goal with Michael Ballack blasting a close-range shot wide and Jancker
heading off-target.
Heskey dropped deeper to
bolster the midfield, while Steve McManaman replaced the hard-working Barmby,
and before too long, England's counter-attacking prowess had put the game beyond
reach.
Owen completed his hat-trick
with a combination of panache and power as he latched onto Gerrard's
through-ball, while Heskey completed the rout with an accomplished finish to
make it 5-1.
England were home and dry, with
Owen Hargreaves confirming his English registration as a substitute
Germany were shocked, their
fans trooping off into the night in disbelief, their team now staring at the
prospect of the play-offs if England can overcome Albania and Greece.
Inside the stadium and back at
home, England fans celebrated in unrestrained joy, turning their arms black and
blue with pinches of disbelief.
Who doubts the wisdom of hiring
a Swede as England coach now?
Teams:
Germany: Kahn, Rehmer,
Worns (Asamoah 46), Nowotny, Linke, Bohme, Hamann, Deisler, Ballack (Klose 67),
Jancker, Neuville (Kehl 78).
Subs Not Used: Lehmann,
Bierhoff, Frank Baumann, Ziege.
Goals: Jancker 6.
England: Seaman, Gary
Neville, Ferdinand, Campbell, Ashley Cole, Beckham, Gerrard (Hargreaves 78),
Scholes (Carragher 83), Barmby (McManaman 65), Owen, Heskey.
Subs Not Used:
Southgate, Martyn, Fowler, Andy Cole.
Booked:
Heskey.
Goals: Owen 13,
Gerrard 45, Owen 48, 66, Heskey 74.
Att: 63,000
Ref: P Collina
(Italy).
DAVID
BECKHAM CLOCK WATCH
By
Damian Spellman, PA Sport
1min - Receives the ball for
the first time from Sol Campbell and knocks it long for Emile Heskey to chase
with no apparent problem.
2mins - Penalised for a foul on
Jorg Bohme after being turned by the wing-back.
9mins - A first chance to cause
problems for the Germany defence with a teasing cross from the right which is
kicked away at the last moment by keeper Oliver Kahn.
12mins - Sends in the free-kick
from which the ball eventually drops to Gary Neville to provide the service for
Nick Barmby to set up Michael Owen's equaliser.
14mins - Gets his long-range
radar tuned in with a raking pass over the top to Heskey.
17mins - Sets his sights on
goal from 25 yards after Thomas Linke is pulled up for a foul on Owen, and sees
his curling effort fall just wide.
24mins - Finds Owen wide on the
left with a superb long pass and the striker's first-time effort flies just
wide.
45mins - Concern from the bench
as he is caught by Bohme after turning neatly, but there is no harm done.
45mins - Finds Neville with a
fine pass down the right, but his Manchester United team-mate's cross is well
cut out.
45mins - Three minutes into
injury time, his cross is headed down by Rio Ferdinand to Gerrard 30 yards out
and the Liverpool midfielder dispatches the ball past Kahn with a blistering
right-foot strike.
65mins - After a period of
pressure from the Germans, he is in the mix as the home side concede possession
to Gerrard, who slides Owen in on goal to complete his hat-trick.
75mins - By now playing in a
freer midfield role, he helps to take what pace there is left in the game by
instigating a period of keep-ball, much to the delight of the travelling fans.
78mins - Hits a tired free-kick
into the defensive wall after Dietmar Hamann is penalised for a foul on Ashley
Cole.
90mins - Owen Hargreaves' long
ball over the top puts him in the clear, but Kahn is quick to snuff out the
danger.
90mins - Celebrates with the
rest of his team-mates as the final whistle brings an end to an incredible
evening.
MINUTE-BY-MINUTE
REPORT
Final Score: Germany 1
England 5
90 mins: Collina blows
his whistle to signal the end of a sensational performance by England.
90 mins: The game draws
to a conclusion in what will be a famous victory and a memorable night for
England.
88 mins: England
continue to pass the ball around as they slow the tempo of the game right down.
86 mins: Many of the
home supporters are now leaving the ground as the England fans continue to make
their voices heard.
84 mins: Deisler refuses
to give up and after getting the ball off Hargreaves he hits his shot just over
Seaman's crossbar.
83 mins: Jamie Carragher
comes on to replace Scholes.
82 mins: The German side
look to have given up as they try to come to terms with what has happened after
they had made such a good start to the match.
80 mins: The game is
into the last ten minutes with England as the score suggests completely
dominating preceedings.
79 mins: Deisler brings
down Scholes and is lucky not to have his name taken by Collina.
78 mins: Hamman picks up
a yellow card for a late tackle on Cole.
77 mins: Bayern Munich
midfielder Owen Hargreaves comes on to replace Gerrard.
76 mins: Jancker hits a
long range shot that slides wide of Seaman's right-hand post.
75 mins: The England
fans cheer every pass as they still try to come to terms as to what they are
witnessing.
72 mins: GOAL
- HESKEY - It just gets better and better for England as Germany get caught
pressing too many players forward. Beckham sends Scholes clear who in turn
squraes the ball to the unmarked Heskey who keeps his cool to slot the ball past
Kahn and into the net.
71 mins: Rehmer has a
chance to pull a goal back for Germany but Seaman reacts quickly to clear the
danger.
68 mins: Cole makes a
charging run forward only to be tackled by Hamann.
65 mins: GOAL
- OWEN - Germany give the ball away and Gerrard puts Owen through on goal. The
Liverpool striker takes the ball into the German penalty area before firing an
unstoppable shot past Kahn and into the top right-hand corner to complete a
senasational hat-trick.
65 mins: Deisler puts in
a good ball from the right that Jancker heads just wide of Seaman's right-hand
post.
64 mins: Steve McManaman
comes on to replace Barmby.
63 mins: Cole puts in a
clumsy tackle on substitute Gerald Asamoah.
62 mins: Ballack tries
to put Jancker in but Ferdinand shields the ball back to Seaman.
61 mins: Beckham swings
in a decent cross from the right that Rehmer does well to head clear.
60 mins: Seaman comes
out to punch clear another Deisler cross and in doing so catches Jancker who
goes down hurt.
59 mins: Beckham aims a
long ball for Owen but he hits it too hard and Kahn comes out to collect.
58 mins: Germany are
certainly having more possession without creating too many problems for England.
56 mins: Deisler crossed
from the right and Jancker heads the ball back to Ballack who volleys the ball
over the bar when he should have done a lot better.
55 mins: England are now
defending much deeper as they look to defend their two goal lead.
53 mins: The first
booking of the night is given to Heskey for a late challenge on Neuville.
52 mins: Ballack
controls the ball first time but rushes his shot which flies well over Seaman's
crossbar.
51 mins: The German
crowd are now completely silent as their team continue to struggle on the pitch.
50 mins: Ferdinand
clears for England and is then brought down by Jancker who just clips his ankle.
48 mins: GOAL
- OWEN - Beckham crosses from the right and Heskey heads the ball into the path
of Owen, who brimming with confidence, hits his shot first time leaving Kahn
with no chance.
47 mins: Heskey flicks
the ball on for Owen but Kahn just beats the Liverpool striker to the ball and
clears for the home side.
46 mins: England get the
second-half under way.
HT: Germany 1 England 2
45 mins: Collina blows
his whistle for half-time.
45 mins: GOAL
- GERRARD - Beckham crosses from the right and after Germany clear their lines
the ball falls to Gerrard who from 25 yards out hits an unstoppable shot that
flies past Kahn and into the bottom right-hand corner of the German net.
45 mins: Bohme exchanges
passes with Jancker before forcing Seaman into a superb save low to his right.
44 mins: Barmby puts in
a high challenge on Rehmer.
43 mins: Seaman comes
out to punch the ball clear but he makes a mess of it and Neville clears for
England.
42 mins: Germany are
finishing the half the stronger of the two sides with England struggling to get
out of their own half.
41 mins: Neuville
controls a Thomas Linke ball on his chest before firing a sweet volley just over
Seaman's crossbar.
39 mins: Deisler takes
the corner from the right that Paul Scholes hooks clear.
38 mins: Ferdinand is
forced to put the ball behind for another corner to Germany. Bohme sends the
ball over and Heskey clears behind for another corner.
37 mins: A sloppy period
of play sees Germany fail to clear their lines with Kahn looking very nervous in
the German goal.
36 mins: Jancker looks
unlucky to be pulled up for a foul on Gerrard.
35 mins: Bohme's
free-kick deflects off the England wall for a corner.
34 mins: Gerrard
concedes a free-kick on the edge of his own area after a foul on Hamann.
33 mins: Beckham chases
to keep the ball in play and shows no signs of the groin injury that has
troubled him all week.
32 mins: Ballack hits a
long ball forward that goes straight out for an England goal-kick.
30 mins: Germany
continue to look the more nervy of the two sides with Dietmar Hamann the latest
player to give the ball away when under no pressure.
29 mins: Marko Rehmer
passes back to Kahn who for some reason picks the ball up and concedes a
free-kick. Beckham hits the free-kick from about nine yards out but the German
wall does its job and the ball is cleared.
28 mins: Jancker is
adjudged to have climbed over the top of Rio Ferdinand.
27 mins: Cole is again
in the action, this time firing a sizzling cross from the left that is just too
strong for Owen and Heskey.
26 mins: Ashley Cole
makes a good run down the left but his pass to Barmby is poor and the chance is
gone.
25 mins: England are now
starting to look the more composed of the two sides with the German defence
struggling with the pace of Owen.
24 mins: Beckham hits a
superb 50 yard ball forward to Owen who hits his shot first time that flies just
past Kahn's right-hand post.
22 mins: Owen seems to
be pulled back by Worns in the German penalty area but Collina again waves play
on.
21 mins: Deisler misses
an absolute sitter right in front of the England goal after having the ball
squared to him by the impressive Ballack.
20 mins: England are
getting a lot of space down the right flank with Owen sending in a cross from
the right that just evades the run of Gerrard.
18 mins: Heskey goes
down in the German penalty area under a challenge from Worns but Pierluigi
Collina waves play on.
17 mins: Neville sends
in a long throw that Owen almost gets his right boot to.
16 mins: Beckham takes
the free-kick but Oliver Kahn watches it slide past his right-hand post for a
goal-kick.
15 mins: Owen is fouled
by Jens Nowotny and England have a free-kick in a good position.
14 mins: The game is
wide open with both sides looking to attack at every opportunity.
12 mins: GOAL
- OWEN - Steven Gerrard hooks the ball in from the right and Gary Neville
cushions a header over the German defence that finds Nicky Barmby who heads the
ball into the path of Owen who puts the ball into an empty German net.
11 mins: Owen is fouled
by Deisler and England have a free-kick in a dangerous position.
9 mins: Beckham puts in
a good cross from the right that both Michael Owen and Emile Heskey almost get
on the end of.
8 mins: Sebastien
Deisler seems to be finding far too much space in front of the England defence.
7 mins: England simply
haven't settled and cannot manage to string two passes together.
5 mins: GOAL
- CARSTEN JANCKER - Michael Ballack crosses from the right and Oliver Neuville
heads the ball into the path of Jancker who slots the ball past David Seaman and
into the net.
4 mins: Germany get the
first corner of the match but Joerg Bohme's ball is too high for everyone and
runs out for an England goal-kick.
3 mins: The game has got
off to a sluggish start with neither side able to keep hold of the ball for any
sustained spell.
2 mins: David Beckham is
penalised for a challenge on Christian Worns.
1 mins: Germany get the
game under way in front of full house in the Munich Olympic Stadium.
ENGLAND - PLAYER RATINGS
DAVID SEAMAN: Saved
crucially from Bohme moments before Gerrard's rocket. Typically solid display.
8.
GARY NEVILLE: Got
forward enthusiastically and turned in one of his better international
performances. 9.
ASHLEY COLE: Used his
pace to go forward but still a little suspect under pressure. 8.
RIO FERDINAND: Struggled
to cope with the presence of Jancker early on but consistently diffused the
Germans' second-half pressure. 8.
SOL CAMPBELL: Far too
hesitant on first goal and looked uncharacteristically shaky in central defence.
Not that it mattered. 7.
DAVID BECKHAM: A
captain's performance and a constant danger from his set-pieces. 8.
STEVEN GERRARD (off for
Hargreaves, 77): Improved as the match went on and capped his display
with his stunning strike in first-half injury time. 9.
NICKY BARMBY (off for
McManaman 65): Set up Owen for England's first and gave Germans plenty to
think about on the flanks. 7.
PAUL SCHOLES (off for
Carragher, 82): Played his part in the team effort and effectively
nullified the threat of Hamann. 8.
EMILE HESKEY: His goal
capped a dream day for England and was a fitting reward for his tireless work as
a foil for Owen. 9.
MICHAEL OWEN: His simply
stunning hat-trick capped an unbelievable night for England. 10.
STEVE McMANAMAN (for
Barmby 65).
OWEN HARGREAVES (for
Gerrard, 78).
JAMIE CARRAGHER (for
Scholes, 82).
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