Michael Owen was once again the hero as England struggled on an appalling surface against Slovakia. Heavy rain earlier in the day nearly caused the game to be postponed and it took it's toll on the pitch that looked like a swamp after a few minutes play. Slovakia made the better of the terrible conditions in the first half and their pressure paid off on 24 minutes when Nemeth gave the home side the lead. England struggled to play football on the bumpy wet surface and Slovakia deserved their half-time lead. Gareth Southgate had England's best of very few chances but his close range header was well stopped. England started the second half brighter and took the game to Slovakia with good chances for Owen and Gerrard. England were awarded a free-kick on 65 minutes and Beckham played the ball into the box where Owen claimed he got a slight touch on the cross guiding the ball into the net, it was the bit of luck England needed but was it Beckham's or Owen's goal?. England were now on top for the first time in the game and took the lead on 82 minutes after some good work by Scholes who crossed the ball to the near post were the poacher supreme Owen was waiting to nod the ball home. Slovakia gave England a few scares near the end but Eriksson's team held on for a hard fought three points. Relief all round because at half time it looked bleak.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has said that David Beckham has been credited with England's first goal against Slovakia. There was some confusion during the game with nobody sure if Michael Owen did get a touch to Beckham's 65 minute free-kick. Eriksson said: "I asked Michael Owen about the first goal and he said that he did not touch it so it goes to David Beckham."

Sven was happy with the way his side battled back from a goal down to claim the three points. Eriksson sai : "I'm happy that we took the points and I thought everyone did extremely well in the second half. To win after losing 1-0 at half-time showed a lot of spirit. When the pitch is like it was it is good to be physically strong. We came out in the second half with a good spirit and showed how much we wanted to win the game."