England 3 Hungary 1

Last updated : 31 May 2006 By Footy Mad - Editor
ENGLAND 3 HUNGARY 1

ENGLAND: Robinson, Gary Neville (Hargreaves 45), Ferdinand, Terry (Campbell 76), Ashley Cole, Carragher, Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard (Crouch 65), Joe Cole, Owen (Walcott 65).

Subs Not Used: Bridge, James, Phil Neville, Dawson, Carrick, Jenas, Lennon, Downing, Carson, Defoe, Johnson, Foster.

HUNGARY: Kiraly, Feher, Komlosi (Vanczak 9), Halmosi, Eger, Molnar (Vadocz 83), Huszti, Dardai, Gera, Toth (Torghelle 61), Szabics (Polonkai 73).

Subs Not Used: Vegh, Low, Rajczi. 

But we didn't see much of Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup masterplan as England plodded their way through a match with one intention in mind ... no more injuries.

Gerrard headed the goal that set England on the road to victory. John Terry and Peter Crouch also netted and Theo Walcott made history as England's youngest ever player at 17 years and 75 days - after Frank Lampard had seen a first-half penalty saved.

England looked in a mess for most of the first half until Gerrard seized a loose ball and drew a lunge from Csaba Feher. The Liverpool hero crashed to the turf, although there was no contact, but it convinced Dutch referee Peter Vink to point to the spot.

Lampard stroked the penalty low to Kiraly's right but the Crystal Palace goalkeeper got down well to save.

Gerrard powered in the first from a long Beckham free-kick, slanted into the box from the right in the 47th minute.

Terry struck, nipping in front of Kiraly to nod in another Beckham excellent free-kick, this time an inswinger from the left. It was the Chelsea's first goal for his country.

Hargreaves, jeered onto the pitch by England fans, stood off Pal Dardai and invited him to shoot from 30 yards. The Hungarian accepted the offer, curling a right-footer into the top corner of Paul Robinson's net.

Crouch eased the nerves with his second international goal with six minutes to go, reminding Eriksson he might be worth another chance up front alongside Owen against Jamaica on Saturday.