By Doug McIntyre
FOX Sports activities Soccer Author
Editor’s word: Every day between now and the kickoff of the primary match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Nov. 20, we’ll unveil a unique reminiscence from World Cup historical past. The countdown from 101 continues with Michael Owen’s surprise aim.
Issues had been going nicely sufficient for England. After in regards to the worst potential begin to their spherical of 16 match towards Argentina at France ’98, a ninth minute penalty kick by star striker Alan Shearer had canceled out the one made simply 4 minutes earlier by his Albiceleste counterpart, Gabriel Batistuta. The Three Lions needed to be relieved that the scoreline was once more all sq..
Even essentially the most optimistic England followers couldn’t have dreamed up what would occur subsequent. Michael Owen even didn’t begin the primary two group stage video games for Glenn Hoddle’s crew, however there the 18-year-old ahead was within the lineup for England’s most vital World Cup match in eight years. Quarter of an hour into the competition in Saint-Étienne, Owen stole the present.
Owen collected a David Beckham go in midfield and took off. He shrugged previous after which accelerated away from Argentina defender José Chamot, then rounded one other in Roberto Ayala. With solely goalkeeper Carlos Roa left to beat, Owen stepped to his proper and despatched a blistering shot again throughout the physique of the helpless backstop, the ball bulging the web contained in the far submit. It was probably the most spectacular solo targets in England’s historical past.
It wasn’t sufficient for the Three Lions to advance, although. Javier Zanetti equalized for Argentina earlier than halftime, Beckham was purple carded simply after it, and the Albiceleste superior to the quarterfinals on penalties.
Owen’s wonder-strike
Within the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Michael Owen scored an exquisite aim for England of their match towards Argentina.
One of many main soccer journalists in North America, Doug McIntyre has coated United States males’s and girls’s nationwide groups at a number of FIFA World Cups. Earlier than becoming a member of FOX Sports activities in 2021, he was a employees author with ESPN and Yahoo Sports activities. Comply with him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.
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