> Beckham’s Revenge In 2002 FIFA World Cup™ <

On June 7th 2002 in SAPPORO Japan, England Captain David Beckham wreaked his revenge on Argentina with the first-half penalty that gave England a pulsating 1-0 victory over the World Cup favourite. The victory Friday set off jubilation throughout the Sapporo Dome, which was packed with English fans, and back home, too. “This is so nice,” Beckham said after shooting the penalty kick down the middle but still beating Argentina goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero, who never moved. “A lot was said after what happened four years ago.”

>> Beck's taking the penalty kick....<<

  In 1998 World Cup in France, Beckham was ejected for intentionally kicking Diego Simeone in retaliation for being pushed in the back. Before Beckham was ejected, England striker Alan Shearer had scored from the spot to equalize after an Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta penalty had given Argentina the lead. England striker Michael Owen then seared past the defense to score a wonder goal to put England ahead with little more than 15 minutes on the clock. Argentina equalized through a defender, 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, it lost the penalty shoot-out.

  More was said before Beckham’s game-winner Friday night. “Their antics, the keeper telling me to put it somewhere and Simeone trying to shake me up,” he said. “You know we battled really hard, it’s a team game. That’s what it’s about. The team has been brilliant, really for the whole 92 minutes.” Owen was tripped in the penalty area by Argentine defender, Mauricio Pellegrino to set up Beckham, who played the full 90 minutes for the first time since he broke his foot in a Champions League game just over two months ago in a tackle with Argentine or Deportivo La Coruna midfielder, Aldo Duscher. “It’s just unbelievable,” said Beckham, a celebrity superstar in England whose wife is Victoria, Posh Spice of the Spice Girls. “It’s been four years, a long four years. This tops it all off.”

>> Beck's celebrate after scored from the spot <<

  Judging by the noise level and the number of fans at the dome, it appeared England was the home team despite playing 7,500 miles from their country. The 42,500-capacity stadium in Sapporo was at least two-thirds red and white, while small pockets of Argentina fans banged their drums and waved their sky blue and white scarves. In England, the country came to a virtual standstill as the game kicked off at lunchtime. Millions gathered to watch on huge TV screens in city squares, pubs, factories, theaters, supermarkets, offices — even churches. Newspapers described it as “the longest lunch hour in history.” Across the land, fans went wild when Beckham scored and the team then held off Argentina for the victory.

    Argentina had two great chances to score, one in each half laying siege to the England goal but couldn't avoid suffering its first defeat in a competitive match since it lost 3-1 to Brazil in a qualifier in Sao Paulo in July 2000. In the first half of the match, Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta directed a dangerous header straight into the hands of England keeper David Seaman. In the second half, Pellegrino hit a header from 6 yards that bounced off the ground and slammed into Seaman’s chest. England nearly pushed its lead to 2-0 early in the second half, pressuring with Paul Scholes, Michael Owen, Beckham, substitute Teddy Sheringham and Trevor Sinclair.

>> Beck's celebrate with his teammate, Seaman after winning against Argentina <<

England sensed victory from about the 70th minute, and Eriksson put his team into a defensive shell. Argentina ruled the play, but was unable to break through. The Falklands War is inevitably mentioned when the two countries play soccer. The 10-week conflict in 1982 left more than 700 Argentines and 200 British soldiers dead. And World Cup games between the countries have been filled with physical play, but this one was relatively clean. In 1966, Argentine captain Antonio Rattin was ejected during England’s 1-0 victory at Wembley. England manager Alf Ramsey was so incensed by the behavior of Argentina’s players he refused to let his team swap shirts, and described the gifted but temperamental Argentine stars as “animals.” Twenty years later, Argentine great Diego Maradona scored a goal with his fist and later said it was scored by the “Hand of God”. He made up for it by scoring a second after an amazing dribble through most of the England team. Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal helped end England's World Cup hopes in the quarterfinals in 1986.

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