It seems like an odd thing to say now given his punditry, but there was a point in time when Michael Owen was probably the most exciting footballer on the planet.
Unlike most players, Owen exploded onto the scene fully formed at Liverpool, winning the Premier League’s Golden Boot in his first full season with 18 goals in 36 games. As a result, he went to World Cup 1998 in France as something of an ace up the sleeve of manager Glenn Hoddle, initially as an option off the bench.
After coming on during the opening win against Tunisia, Owen became the youngest player to represent England at a World Cup. By the end of the group stage, he had scored a fine equalising goal and hit the post in stoppage time in the 2-1 defeat to Romania and firmly supplanted Teddy Sheringham in Hoddle’s starting line-up. He was the youngest English scorer at a World Cup now, too.
Then came the old enemy Argentina in the round of 16 and Owen’s finest hour as a player.
Harry Symeou hosts Scott Saunders, Grizz Khan & Jack Gallagher to look back on France ’98 as part of the ‘Our World Cup’ series. We take a trip down memory lane – join us!
Gabriel Batistuta and Alan Shearer both converted penalties inside a chaotic first 10 minutes and Javier Zanetti scored on the stroke of half-time but it’s Michael Owen’s electric solo run and finish that continues to live long in the memory for England fans.
You might also recall David Beckham doing something a bit silly in the second half but we don’t need to talk about that.
Owen’s is a perfect counter-attacking goal. Paul Ince does well to win the ball back for England, shrugging Maxi Lopez aside after Sol Campbell’s initial sliding tackle. Watching it back now, England are probably a little fortunate a foul wasn’t given after Tony Adams literally just charges straight into Juan Sebastian Veron off the ball.
You certainly wouldn’t get away with that kind of move on Strictly.
Ince finds Beckham, taking the entire Argentina midfield out of the game with a single pass, who in turn dinks the ball forward for Owen before his future Manchester United teammate Veron can recover to stick a foot in.
The pass itself isn’t great and seems more hopeful than anything, arriving at waist height and without much pace. Regardless, Owen snatches the opportunity, bringing the ball down with the outside of his boot and without breaking stride.
Jose Chamot offers little resistance as Owen surges past but he does at least manage to throw the England striker…
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