Argentina against England

Beckham looks to get Bridge away... it's intercepted and Argentina cross again. And Seaman claims again

Mills heads clear as Lopez tries to move down the left. Ortega... Crespo... Aimar... good football, Argentina have the throw. Everyone's back for England and Mills, again, heads it out of play

And another clearance. Aimar tries a long-range blast, which is several million miles over the bar

Mad scramble after Crespo touches the ball forward... Mills makes a fine interception. Another corner

Five minutes, that's all. Sheringham concedes a free-kick on the edge of the Argentina area, and they bring it forward with measured precision

More pressure, but Aimar does England a favour with an overhit final ball

Sinclair crosses, but there's nobody there... Simeone looks for Claudio Lopez with an excellent long pass, and Seaman reads the danger well

Free-kick - the referee saw something he didn't like

There's hardly any let up in the pressure England are facing - they must contend with another corner

Ortega finds Simeone with a neat pass but Bridge, inside the area, intercepts

Sheringham gets his head to a Beckham free-kick: Cavallero claims. Argentina move forward, but Lopez is caught offside

Defender Wayne Bridge comes on and Owen, the man who won the penalty, goes off for the last ten minutes

Aimar threatens once more, and the ball is laid back to Zanetti - his shot is wild and wayward

England have a throw inside the Argentina half. Owen turns and crosses - too close to Cavallero

Danny Mills is forced to concede another corner... and there's respite for England as the referee spots a foul inside the crowded penalty area

Pochettino meets it with a powerful header, which Seaman does well to stop. It's hacked clear, eventually. Nervous, nervous moments

But Argentina are cranking up the pressure, seeing more and more of the ball. Another cross comes in, and Ferdinand is in the right place. Corner...

Sorin tries an acrobatic shot when the cross eventually arrives... Ferdinand clears again

Ashley Cole challenges Lopez well, and now it's Aimar in possession

Guess who's there? David Seaman, claiming well once again. Fifteen minutes between England and victory

It's crossed in and Pochettino gets a glancing header in. It flashes wide, and that was dangerous. Crespo gets away down the right, and Mills gets back to concede a corner

He might have to produce some more as Ortega tumbles under challenge from Scholes to win a free-kick some 30 yards out

The pressure's on as Ortega crosses: Seaman is there yet again. Another fine piece of keeping

Rio Ferdinand heads clear - not once but twice. Argentina, though, still have the ball...

But makes a good challenge on Aimar inside the area, and Argentina have a corner

Sheringham gets a clever flicked header in, and it drifts just wide. Astute touch from the Spurs man

Beckham can cross dangerously here... it's from the left

Sorin is there and deals with that well. ashley Cole comes forward for England and Pochettino fouls him... free-kick, and Cole is down

Beckham holds onto possession well, winning a throw on the right, which Mills will take

Aimar shoots after neat football from Argentina, but the effort - from just outside the area - flies over the bar

Forward comes Sinclair. He tries his luck after a good run and Cavallero holds on, saving low to his right

Lopez hits it and Scholes blocks bravely and superbly. England are working incredibly hard... Lopez crosses, and Seaman is commanding again

It's about 30 yards out - shooting chance for Argentina...

Sorin and Lopez link, and that move brings a dangerous free-kick after a challenge by Nicky Butt...

Gonzalez goes off and Claudio Lopez comes on as Argentina make their final switch

Pochettino stops Owen as he tries to burst through, and then Nicky Butt steps in as Argentina come forward. Butt's having a fine game

Nothing comes of it, and Placente steers the ball forward. The flag's up

Crespo is penalised for handball as he tries to bring a pass under control. Free-kick England, deep inside their own half

Great play by Ashley Cole wins the ball in a good attacking position - Sinclair, though, is caught offside

He replaces Gabriel Batistuta... in the meantime, England go forward and Sheringham tries his luck, but it's off-target

Hernan Crespo is being readied to come on as we approach the hour mark... Argentina trying to up the pace a bit

...which Campbell heads wide. What an effort by Sheringham, who could hardly have hit that better

He hits a stunning angled volley, and Cavallero responds with a fine save. Corner...

Beckham starts another spell of England passing: each one greeted with an 'ole' from the crowd... a great cross finds Sheringham

Owen races into the area after a good ball forward... Argentina are relieved to scramble that one away

Indeed it is: here comes Sheri, and that will bring something different to the England frontline

Tricky Trev Sinclair is crowded out, and Heskey is struggling a little after some hefty challenges. Looks like it's time for Teddy Sheringham

Scholes challenges Simeone and England are passing well... Beckham gets into the area, but his shot flies wide. Good football

...back come Argentina again, but Batistuta, after a good turn, fires his shot wide and over

Aimar, though, starts another attack - that ends when Mills clumps the ball downfield...

Campbell intercepts as Gonzalez looks for a through pass: good defending again

Heskey attempts to cross from the right, but that slices out of play for an Argentina goal-kick

Batistuta threatens, but then fouls Campbell to present England with a free-kick

Scholes, at the other end, tidies up as Argentina try to string a few passes together

Cavallero parries it - good play by England. Heskey is later booked for kicking the ball away: needless

Mills crosses, Owen lays it off, Heskey shoots.. it's blocked - then Scholes hammers in a shot

From his goal-kick, Owen turns beautifully but drags his shot wide from inside the area. It could have been 2-0...

Sorin challenges for a high cross into the heart of the area - Seaman, again, is there...

Then Mills intercepts as Gonzalez attempts to make something happen. Early pressure from Argentina, unsurprisingly

Free-kick Argentina after a foul by Butt: Ortega tries to go down the right and Ashley Cole gets there

It's well hit, but straight at Seaman who gathers with no problems

Aimar gets his first touch - it's a good, tricky run at the England defence and he's going to have a go at goal...

And we're poised to start the second 45 - Argentina kick off

...it's Juan Sebastian Veron. What effect will this change have? Here come England, to yet more noisy acclaim

Pablo Aimar looks likely to come on for Argentina... not clear yet who he will be replacing

The referee blows the half-time whistle: David Beckham's penalty divides the sides after an absorbing first 45 minutes

Rio Ferdinand heads that powerfully away - to the delight of England's fans

Gonzalez tries a shot, which sparks a scramble, which ends in an Argentina corner

Veron crosses, Seaman claims. Batistuta was never going to get to that one

Seconds left until the break... Sven looking cool, as ever. Ortega tries to hit back, but that's good covering from Sol Campbell

The breakthrough has arrived - and the skipper absolutely hammered that ball low into the net

He hits it powerfully, and Cavallero is beaten - Beckham scores from the spot and it's 1-0 England!

David Beckham to take it...

He's brought down by Pochettino and England have a penalty!

Gonzalez is back on the field... Ortega fouls Ashley Cole. Scholes hammers a shot which is blocked but Owen takes it on...

Gonzalez is still off the field as Argentina build through Sorin. He looks for Batistuta and his big hair, but England deal with it

Plenty of noise from England's supporters as the first half comes down to its final five minutes

It comes to nothing, and then Beckham is penalised for a foul on Gonzalez, who is bleeding from the nose after that collision

...but then Beckham is fouled midway inside the Argentina half. He'll take the free-kick himself

Nicky Butt proves the point, winning the ball from Veron. Sinclair takes it on and that's an England throw. Cole crosses: it's cleared

Beckham challenges Gonzalez, and then Mills clears - England defending really strongly at the moment

Scholes finds Beckham and then Heskey challenges the dithering Placente on the edge of the area... but the ref blows for an Argentina free-kick

Sinclair gets back as Ortega threatens again, and then Veron hits a loose pass straight out of play

Campbell clears under pressure from Ortega after the purposeful Batistuta had won the ball for his side

Goal-kick for England now, and Pochettino covers well as Heskey tries to make something of it

Mills wins a throw, and then Campbell lanches the ball towards Heskey. That's Cavallero's

Veron prods the ball forward and there's some confusion until Rio Ferdinand takes charge of matters

Zanetti now, and here's Batistuta inside the area... it's crossed, cleared and Gonzalez volleys crisply from the edge of the box. It's over the top, but not by much

Mills plays a long ball forward, and it falls for Owen eventually... England passing well, but in the end the ball is thumped clear

Beckham can't get there, but England win it back and Heskey is crowded out. Ashley Cole is booked for a foul on Ortega

Ashley Cole's on the run now after Butt plays another fine ball forward. Pochettino clears, and then fouls Sinclair on the right. Free-kick

The game's beginning to open up after a tense and edgy start, and England are playing some good stuff now

Then it's Sinclair's turn: Argentina only just clear as he jinks into the area and plays in a low ball

The header's good but Seaman saves... Owen breaks and is only just crowded out after another enterprising run at the Argentina back line

Veron at the other end, and he finds Gonzalez - who finds Batistuta with an absolutely superb cross

It crashes back off the far post with Cavallero beaten. A great effort - and so close to giving England the lead

...not for long. Butt finds Owen who twists and turns and fires in a low shot...

Samuel has the ball for Argentina, and plays it aimlessly. Seaman comes to catch, but Argentina soon regain possession

...but a foul by Nicky Butt brings an end to that move

Simeone falls to the ground with a touch of added drama. Free-kick, but Veron's through ball is cut out and Heskey counters

The final ball is too long, and that's an easy one for Cavallero

Ortega and Simeone scheming in midfield... back comes Heskey to break that up and Scholes moves forward

Cavallero is back on his feet after a groggy spell following Ferdinand's challenge. He plays it downfield

His replacement is West Ham United's Trevor Sinclair. More injury woe for England

The flag-kick is punched clear by Cavallero under pressure from Ferdinand. Hargreaves is struggling and will have to come off

Fast and furious in midfield... Butt challenges Veron, unfairly says the referee. Ortega fouls Butt seconds later... then Hargreaves frees Owen down the left and he wins a corner

Sorin moves down the left for Argentina, but he can't keep the ball in play and it's an England goal-kick

It's not a good one though... Cole fouls Ortega as England try to win the ball back and this time Argentina have the dead ball

Another England free-kick: Simeone the guilty party this time. It's in a good crossing position and Beckham will mastermind it

Beckham tries an ambitious shot, which cannons into the Argentina wall

Argentina stand firm... but there's another free-kick after another Batitsuta foul. About 40 yards out and central...

England free-kick, wide on the left near the penalty area. Beckham to swing it in...

Not the most subtle of challenges from the striker, and even Sven looks riled by that one

Ortega and Zanetti link, Veron looks for Sorin and England clear with Ferdinand. Batitstuta goes in heavily on Ashley Cole and is booked

It's aimed towards Mills, and cleared by Placente

Scholes does well in a midfield tussle, and wins a free-kick for his troubles

Veron on the ball - he wastes it, lofting that effort out of play. England's goal-kick

Mills, who began his career at Norwich, looks more than willing to come forward at every opportunity

Scholes finds Mills, who wallops the ball goalwards from outside the area - it's blocked bravely

...but the referee blows for a foul as Argentina attack the ball and England have a free-kick

And Argentina are on the attack again... Veron to take a corner from the right...

No doubt about which side is having the better of things so far: England are yet to discover any rhythm

Gonzalez shoots low after a clever Sorin flick... it skids wide, but that was an excellent move by Argentina

Zanetti on the ball... Simeone in midfield: Argentina settling to some good passing now

Seaman saves comfortably... Hargreaves is back on and Mills is penalised for a foul as he gallops down the right

Hargreaves gets back to his feet, a little gingerly... Zanetti gets too much space to drive forward, and hits a shot from distance

Sven's side temporarily down to ten men as Ashley Cole clears. Ortega tries to cross from the right, and England block again

And Hargreaves is still being treated following that challenge... worrying signs for England

Hargreaves is receiving a spot of treatment... meantime, Seaman comes out to take another cross

...Zanetti is cool and composed, and the threat is snuffed out

England's fans turn up the volume as Seaman plays it downfield. Hargreaves sets off on a run...

Gonzalez gets the first cross in for Argentina, and Seaman claims well with Batitsuta lurking

Campbell finds Scholes on halfway, but Batistuta snaps in. Heskey flicks on, Ortega clears up

They have a goal-kick, which Cavallero hits towards Batistuta: that's out of play. England throw

Straight away, Campbell looks for Heskey - but Argentina deal with that

This most eagerly-awaited of games is under way - England get us under way and boss Sven Goran Eriksson is a picture of calm

The national anthems are being played... the stadium is a sea of flags and colour

Not a spare seat in sight - this is the big one, a truly massive match. No hyperbole here

Here they come: there's an absolute wall of sound to greet them

The teams are preparing to make their way onto the pitch in this most space-age of venues... the atmosphere's building nicely now

And Argentina line up like this... Pablo Cavallero, Mauricio Pochettino, Walter Samuel, Diego Placente, Javier Zanetti, Diego Simeone, Juan Sebastian Veron, Pablo Sorin, Ariel Ortega, Gabriel Batistuta, Kily Gonzalez.

The England team for this most crucial of matches has been confirmed - and it is: Seaman, Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, A Cole, Beckham, Butt, Hargreaves, Scholes, Owen, Heskey.

Pochettino meets it with a powerful header, which Seaman does well to stop. It's hacked clear, eventually. Nervous, nervous moments

But Argentina are cranking up the pressure, seeing more and more of the ball. Another cross comes in, and Ferdinand is in the right place. Corner...

Sorin tries an acrobatic shot when the cross eventually arrives... Ferdinand clears again

Ashley Cole challenges Lopez well, and now it's Aimar in possession

Guess who's there? David Seaman, claiming well once again. Fifteen minutes between England and victory

It's crossed in and Pochettino gets a glancing header in. It flashes wide, and that was dangerous. Crespo gets away down the right, and Mills gets back to concede a corner

He might have to produce some more as Ortega tumbles under challenge from Scholes to win a free-kick some 30 yards out

The pressure's on as Ortega crosses: Seaman is there yet again. Another fine piece of keeping

Rio Ferdinand heads clear - not once but twice. Argentina, though, still have the ball...

But makes a good challenge on Aimar inside the area, and Argentina have a corner

Sheringham gets a clever flicked header in, and it drifts just wide. Astute touch from the Spurs man

Beckham can cross dangerously here... it's from the left

Sorin is there and deals with that well. ashley Cole comes forward for England and Pochettino fouls him... free-kick, and Cole is down

Beckham holds onto possession well, winning a throw on the right, which Mills will take

Aimar shoots after neat football from Argentina, but the effort - from just outside the area - flies over the bar

Forward comes Sinclair. He tries his luck after a good run and Cavallero holds on, saving low to his right

Lopez hits it and Scholes blocks bravely and superbly. England are working incredibly hard... Lopez crosses, and Seaman is commanding again

It's about 30 yards out - shooting chance for Argentina...

Sorin and Lopez link, and that move brings a dangerous free-kick after a challenge by Nicky Butt...

Gonzalez goes off and Claudio Lopez comes on as Argentina make their final switch

Pochettino stops Owen as he tries to burst through, and then Nicky Butt steps in as Argentina come forward. Butt's having a fine game

Nothing comes of it, and Placente steers the ball forward. The flag's up

Crespo is penalised for handball as he tries to bring a pass under control. Free-kick England, deep inside their own half

Great play by Ashley Cole wins the ball in a good attacking position - Sinclair, though, is caught offside

He replaces Gabriel Batistuta... in the meantime, England go forward and Sheringham tries his luck, but it's off-target

Hernan Crespo is being readied to come on as we approach the hour mark... Argentina trying to up the pace a bit

...which Campbell heads wide. What an effort by Sheringham, who could hardly have hit that better

He hits a stunning angled volley, and Cavallero responds with a fine save. Corner...

Beckham starts another spell of England passing: each one greeted with an 'ole' from the crowd... a great cross finds Sheringham

Owen races into the area after a good ball forward... Argentina are relieved to scramble that one away

Indeed it is: here comes Sheri, and that will bring something different to the England frontline

Tricky Trev Sinclair is crowded out, and Heskey is struggling a little after some hefty challenges. Looks like it's time for Teddy Sheringham

Scholes challenges Simeone and England are passing well... Beckham gets into the area, but his shot flies wide. Good football

...back come Argentina again, but Batistuta, after a good turn, fires his shot wide and over

Aimar, though, starts another attack - that ends when Mills clumps the ball downfield...

Campbell intercepts as Gonzalez looks for a through pass: good defending again

Heskey attempts to cross from the right, but that slices out of play for an Argentina goal-kick

Batistuta threatens, but then fouls Campbell to present England with a free-kick

Scholes, at the other end, tidies up as Argentina try to string a few passes together

Cavallero parries it - good play by England. Heskey is later booked for kicking the ball away: needless

Mills crosses, Owen lays it off, Heskey shoots.. it's blocked - then Scholes hammers in a shot

From his goal-kick, Owen turns beautifully but drags his shot wide from inside the area. It could have been 2-0...

Sorin challenges for a high cross into the heart of the area - Seaman, again, is there...

Then Mills intercepts as Gonzalez attempts to make something happen. Early pressure from Argentina, unsurprisingly

Free-kick Argentina after a foul by Butt: Ortega tries to go down the right and Ashley Cole gets there

It's well hit, but straight at Seaman who gathers with no problems

Aimar gets his first touch - it's a good, tricky run at the England defence and he's going to have a go at goal...

And we're poised to start the second 45 - Argentina kick off

...it's Juan Sebastian Veron. What effect will this change have? Here come England, to yet more noisy acclaim

Pablo Aimar looks likely to come on for Argentina... not clear yet who he will be replacing

The referee blows the half-time whistle: David Beckham's penalty divides the sides after an absorbing first 45 minutes

Rio Ferdinand heads that powerfully away - to the delight of England's fans

Gonzalez tries a shot, which sparks a scramble, which ends in an Argentina corner

Veron crosses, Seaman claims. Batistuta was never going to get to that one

Seconds left until the break... Sven looking cool, as ever. Ortega tries to hit back, but that's good covering from Sol Campbell

The breakthrough has arrived - and the skipper absolutely hammered that ball low into the net

He hits it powerfully, and Cavallero is beaten - Beckham scores from the spot and it's 1-0 England!

David Beckham to take it...

He's brought down by Pochettino and England have a penalty!

Gonzalez is back on the field... Ortega fouls Ashley Cole. Scholes hammers a shot which is blocked but Owen takes it on...

Gonzalez is still off the field as Argentina build through Sorin. He looks for Batistuta and his big hair, but England deal with it

Plenty of noise from England's supporters as the first half comes down to its final five minutes

It comes to nothing, and then Beckham is penalised for a foul on Gonzalez, who is bleeding from the nose after that collision

...but then Beckham is fouled midway inside the Argentina half. He'll take the free-kick himself

Nicky Butt proves the point, winning the ball from Veron. Sinclair takes it on and that's an England throw. Cole crosses: it's cleared

Beckham challenges Gonzalez, and then Mills clears - England defending really strongly at the moment

Scholes finds Beckham and then Heskey challenges the dithering Placente on the edge of the area... but the ref blows for an Argentina free-kick

Sinclair gets back as Ortega threatens again, and then Veron hits a loose pass straight out of play

Campbell clears under pressure from Ortega after the purposeful Batistuta had won the ball for his side

Goal-kick for England now, and Pochettino covers well as Heskey tries to make something of it

Mills wins a throw, and then Campbell lanches the ball towards Heskey. That's Cavallero's

Veron prods the ball forward and there's some confusion until Rio Ferdinand takes charge of matters

Zanetti now, and here's Batistuta inside the area... it's crossed, cleared and Gonzalez volleys crisply from the edge of the box. It's over the top, but not by much

Mills plays a long ball forward, and it falls for Owen eventually... England passing well, but in the end the ball is thumped clear

Beckham can't get there, but England win it back and Heskey is crowded out. Ashley Cole is booked for a foul on Ortega

Ashley Cole's on the run now after Butt plays another fine ball forward. Pochettino clears, and then fouls Sinclair on the right. Free-kick

The game's beginning to open up after a tense and edgy start, and England are playing some good stuff now

Then it's Sinclair's turn: Argentina only just clear as he jinks into the area and plays in a low ball

The header's good but Seaman saves... Owen breaks and is only just crowded out after another enterprising run at the Argentina back line

Veron at the other end, and he finds Gonzalez - who finds Batistuta with an absolutely superb cross

It crashes back off the far post with Cavallero beaten. A great effort - and so close to giving England the lead

...not for long. Butt finds Owen who twists and turns and fires in a low shot...

Samuel has the ball for Argentina, and plays it aimlessly. Seaman comes to catch, but Argentina soon regain possession

...but a foul by Nicky Butt brings an end to that move

Simeone falls to the ground with a touch of added drama. Free-kick, but Veron's through ball is cut out and Heskey counters

The final ball is too long, and that's an easy one for Cavallero

Ortega and Simeone scheming in midfield... back comes Heskey to break that up and Scholes moves forward

Cavallero is back on his feet after a groggy spell following Ferdinand's challenge. He plays it downfield

His replacement is West Ham United's Trevor Sinclair. More injury woe for England

The flag-kick is punched clear by Cavallero under pressure from Ferdinand. Hargreaves is struggling and will have to come off

Fast and furious in midfield... Butt challenges Veron, unfairly says the referee. Ortega fouls Butt seconds later... then Hargreaves frees Owen down the left and he wins a corner

Sorin moves down the left for Argentina, but he can't keep the ball in play and it's an England goal-kick

It's not a good one though... Cole fouls Ortega as England try to win the ball back and this time Argentina have the dead ball

Another England free-kick: Simeone the guilty party this time. It's in a good crossing position and Beckham will mastermind it

Beckham tries an ambitious shot, which cannons into the Argentina wall

Argentina stand firm... but there's another free-kick after another Batitsuta foul. About 40 yards out and central...

England free-kick, wide on the left near the penalty area. Beckham to swing it in...

Not the most subtle of challenges from the striker, and even Sven looks riled by that one

Ortega and Zanetti link, Veron looks for Sorin and England clear with Ferdinand. Batitstuta goes in heavily on Ashley Cole and is booked

It's aimed towards Mills, and cleared by Placente

Scholes does well in a midfield tussle, and wins a free-kick for his troubles

Veron on the ball - he wastes it, lofting that effort out of play. England's goal-kick

Mills, who began his career at Norwich, looks more than willing to come forward at every opportunity

Scholes finds Mills, who wallops the ball goalwards from outside the area - it's blocked bravely

...but the referee blows for a foul as Argentina attack the ball and England have a free-kick

And Argentina are on the attack again... Veron to take a corner from the right...

No doubt about which side is having the better of things so far: England are yet to discover any rhythm

Gonzalez shoots low after a clever Sorin flick... it skids wide, but that was an excellent move by Argentina

Zanetti on the ball... Simeone in midfield: Argentina settling to some good passing now

Seaman saves comfortably... Hargreaves is back on and Mills is penalised for a foul as he gallops down the right

Hargreaves gets back to his feet, a little gingerly... Zanetti gets too much space to drive forward, and hits a shot from distance

Sven's side temporarily down to ten men as Ashley Cole clears. Ortega tries to cross from the right, and England block again

And Hargreaves is still being treated following that challenge... worrying signs for England

Hargreaves is receiving a spot of treatment... meantime, Seaman comes out to take another cross

...Zanetti is cool and composed, and the threat is snuffed out

England's fans turn up the volume as Seaman plays it downfield. Hargreaves sets off on a run...

Gonzalez gets the first cross in for Argentina, and Seaman claims well with Batitsuta lurking

Campbell finds Scholes on halfway, but Batistuta snaps in. Heskey flicks on, Ortega clears up

They have a goal-kick, which Cavallero hits towards Batistuta: that's out of play. England throw

Straight away, Campbell looks for Heskey - but Argentina deal with that

This most eagerly-awaited of games is under way - England get us under way and boss Sven Goran Eriksson is a picture of calm

The national anthems are being played... the stadium is a sea of flags and colour

Not a spare seat in sight - this is the big one, a truly massive match. No hyperbole here

Here they come: there's an absolute wall of sound to greet them

The teams are preparing to make their way onto the pitch in this most space-age of venues... the atmosphere's building nicely now

And Argentina line up like this... Pablo Cavallero, Mauricio Pochettino, Walter Samuel, Diego Placente, Javier Zanetti, Diego Simeone, Juan Sebastian Veron, Pablo Sorin, Ariel Ortega, Gabriel Batistuta, Kily Gonzalez.

The England team for this most crucial of matches has been confirmed - and it is: Seaman, Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, A Cole, Beckham, Butt, Hargreaves, Scholes, Owen, Heskey.