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18/06/2004
Rooney brace lifts English spirits
England go into next Monday's final Group B clash with Croatia knowing a draw will be enough to take them into the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 following Thursday's 3-0 win over Switzerland.
A Wayne Rooney brace on either side of half time and a second-half Steven Gerrard strike gave England a comfortable victory over the Swiss. However, it wasn't until opposite defender Bernt Haas was red carded on the hour that England took control.
When he headed past Jorg Stiel on the 23rd minute, Rooney became the youngest player to score in a European Championship. Nevertheless, England continued to look edgy throughout the first half without being truly threatened.
Sloppy passing and searing heat, combined with probing Swiss attacks along the English left flank, didn't help Sven Goran Eriksson's men despite their 1-0 lead.
But that was to change after the turnaround. Haas' dismissal for a second bookable offence hit Swiss confidence and the likes of Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney began to assert their control on an average Swiss side.
On 70 minutes this dominance was rewarded when the Everton striker, in his 15th game for his country, struck a powerful drive from just inside the box which hit the post then rebounded back off the goalkeeper's head into the net.
Then on 82 minutes, Liverpool's Steven Gerrard made up for his sloppy back pass against France on Sunday when he slotted home a Gary Neville cross earning Eriksson's their first win of the tournament.
Elsewhere in the Group B, Croatia produced a fantastic second half performance to earn a 2-2 draw against holders France.
Two goals in four minutes propelled them into a shock lead early in the second half following a first-half own goal from defender Igor Tudor.
However, a defensive mistake late on in the game allowed David Trezeguet to equalise for France.
It means England, France and Croatia will have to battle it out for the two remaining quarter-final places up for grabs next week.
(MB)
A Wayne Rooney brace on either side of half time and a second-half Steven Gerrard strike gave England a comfortable victory over the Swiss. However, it wasn't until opposite defender Bernt Haas was red carded on the hour that England took control.
When he headed past Jorg Stiel on the 23rd minute, Rooney became the youngest player to score in a European Championship. Nevertheless, England continued to look edgy throughout the first half without being truly threatened.
Sloppy passing and searing heat, combined with probing Swiss attacks along the English left flank, didn't help Sven Goran Eriksson's men despite their 1-0 lead.
But that was to change after the turnaround. Haas' dismissal for a second bookable offence hit Swiss confidence and the likes of Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney began to assert their control on an average Swiss side.
On 70 minutes this dominance was rewarded when the Everton striker, in his 15th game for his country, struck a powerful drive from just inside the box which hit the post then rebounded back off the goalkeeper's head into the net.
Then on 82 minutes, Liverpool's Steven Gerrard made up for his sloppy back pass against France on Sunday when he slotted home a Gary Neville cross earning Eriksson's their first win of the tournament.
Elsewhere in the Group B, Croatia produced a fantastic second half performance to earn a 2-2 draw against holders France.
Two goals in four minutes propelled them into a shock lead early in the second half following a first-half own goal from defender Igor Tudor.
However, a defensive mistake late on in the game allowed David Trezeguet to equalise for France.
It means England, France and Croatia will have to battle it out for the two remaining quarter-final places up for grabs next week.
(MB)
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