SAPPORO -- Sometimes sport has a way of exacting revenge in the sweetest way possible. In 1998 England bowed out of the World Cup to Argentina on penalties. David Beckham returned home in shame after being sent off following a red card for a tempestuous kick at an opponent. On Friday night in the Sapporo Dome in front of 35,927 fans England avenged that defeat with a 1-0 victory over Argentina on a 44th-minute penalty by none other than Beckham himself.
Michael Owen, who had troubled the Argentine defense throughout the match with his blistering pace, was brought down in the box by a clumsy challenge by Argentine defender Mauricio Pochettino.
Beckham stepped up to drive home the penalty straight at motionless Argentine 'keeper Pablo Cavallero.