Michael Owen again showed his importance to the England team with a lethal master class as he scored his second hat-trick for his country bringing his total to 30 goals in 70 appearances putting him fourth on the all time list of scorers behind the greats of Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker and Sir Bobby Charlton.

England’s threadbare squad was improved by the inclusion of Owen and skipper David Beckham for the second game of the US tour against Colombia in the impressive Giant’s Stadium. Peter Crouch made his senior debut. An even first half saw England go in 2-1 ahead at half time after Owen slotted home two clinically taken goals. Colombia pulled one back after a mistake by David James and Ashley Cole just before the break. Norwich keeper Robert Green replaced James at half time for his first cap at this level. Owen showed his worth to the England team by completing his hat-trick on 58 minutes superbly finishing a cross from Beckham. England looked tired in the last half hour as Colombia stepped it up and they deservedly pulled one back on 78 minutes through Ramirez. England managed to hold on for a great 3-2 win with a very inexperienced team. Debuts on the tour for Crouch, Green, Kieran Richardson, Luke Young and Zat Knight and altogether a successful tour with two wins.

David Beckham hailed the performance of Michael Owen after his brilliant hat-trick against Colombia moved him into fourth spot in England's all-time list of goalscorers.

Beckham said: "What happened was great for Michael. He is a goalscorer and it has been a tough first season for him at Real Madrid. He has not played every game - but each time that Michael has come on as a substitute he has scored a goal and he has proven what a great goalscorer he is. He is so important to England and has produced for many years."

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson echoed Beckham's sentiments and said: "Michael Owen is Michael Owen and he is one of the best finishers in the world.

"He has shown it again. All three goals he scored were fantastic goals but it is nothing new. That is nothing new about Michael Owen. He has been like that for I don't know how many years. That is good. It shows how important Michael is to this team and the knack of putting the ball in the net is what football is all about. He has scored 32 goals for England and he is only 25. Absolutely fabulous and congratulations. It is difficult to think of a better finisher in the world."

Owen said: "The names above me in the list are not bad at all and with these three goals I have passed some great names as well. There is still a long way to go but if I fail to beat the record, it won't be for want of trying. It was a good finish to the season and for England the tour has been a worthwhile exercise. To beat Colombia, who look like they are also going to the World Cup, is a good result."