But then England were quickly back on the offensive and twice almost doubled their advantage.

First a flick-on from Heskey picked out Owen whose pace took him past Placente but, with only Cavallero to beat, he screwed his shot across the face of goal.

Then the Argentinian keeper did well to fist away a wonderfully-struck volley from fully 30 yards by Scholes which seemed destined for the top corner of the net.

The Argentinians were clearly struggling to contain the pace of Owen.