Trevor Huggins

Famously sent off when England lost on penalties to Argentina in the second round of the 1998 finals, Beckham sent keeper Pablo Cavallero the wrong way with a driven spot-kick on 44 minutes after Michael Owen was brought down by Mauricio Pochettino.

In the highlight match of the first round between two of soccer's greatest rivals, England just about deserved their victory and could have scored more especially when striker Owen hit the post halfway through the first half.

But Argentina dominated after the break, laying siege to the England goal but couldn't avoid suffering their first defeat in a competitive match since they lost 3-1 to Brazil in a qualifier in Sao Paulo in July 2000.

England have four points, the same as Sweden who beat Nigeria 3-1 earlier on Friday. Argentina have three points and Nigeria have already been eliminated.

Asked how it felt to beat Argentina Beckham said: "Better than it did four years ago. It's just unbelievable. This just tops it all off."

He said it was terrifying when he stepped up to take the penalty which won the match in the 44th minute because of the Argentine "antics".

England coach Sven-Goran Erikssson said he thought his team deserved the victory.

BETTER START

Argentina made the better start, though any rhythm was continually checked by a string of fouls which brought yellow cards for Gabriel Batistuta and Ashley Cole.

But the clash sparked into life in the 24th minute when Owen scampered onto Nicky Butt's long upfield ball and smacked a shot through defender Walter Samuel's legs which beat Cavallero -- only to rebound off the post.

A minute later, Argentina should have been in front when Gabriel Batistuta failed to beat David Seaman with a point-blank range header from a Kily Gonzalez cross.

England's growing confidence was rewarded though just before the break, when Argentina defender Mauricio Pochettino tripped Owen in full stride and Beckham smacked home the penalty.

Sensing their chance, England kept the chances coming after the re-start.

A breakaway by Owen, two booming shots from Emile Heskey and Paul Scholes, a spectacular volley by substitute Teddy Sheringham, plus a Beckham flick into the side netting, all battered the Argentina defence in the opening minutes.

However, the South Americans soon recovered their composure and laid siege to the England goal, with Pochettino nearly making amends for his trip with a header which Seaman parried.

England midfielder Owen Hargreaves injured his knee in an early tackle and was substituted by Trevor Sinclair after 20 minutes.

In 1998, Alan Shearer scored from the spot to equalise for England after a Gabriel Batistuta penalty had given Argentina the lead. Owen then seared past the defence to score a wonder goal to put England ahead with little more than 15 minutes on the clock.

Argentina equalised through Javier Zanetti on the stroke of halftime. Minutes into the second half Beckham was sent off for a petulant foul on Diego Simeone and although England held on until the end of extra time, they lost the penalty shootout.

Ironically, both players captained their countries on Friday after Juan Sebastian Veron was substituted at halftime.