In Sven-Goran Eriksson's first competitive game as England coach, the team produced a fitful performance in front of the expectant Anfield crowd. Eriksson's starting line-up featured four changes from the side that had played against Spain in February's friendly. Seaman replaced David James in goal, McManaman came in for the injured Barmby, Gerrard pushed Butt onto the bench and Gary Neville came in at right-back in place of his brother Phil.

There were just 28 seconds on the clock when Andy Cole so nearly scored after Hyypia, familiar to Anfield, mis-kicked a clearance. Within the space of five minutes, Beckham gave two examples of the threat he possesses from a distance. Meanwhile, however, Finland served notice that it would not be all one-way traffic. Charlton striker Jonatan Johansson stole in and forced Seaman to block his shot from a narrow angle. But England did not heed that warning and on the 27th minute Rihilahti escaped Ferdinand's marking and sent a header towards goal. Seaman had it covered but Neville stuck out his left knee and deflected the ball into the net.

The fans were stunned into silence and things almost got worse for England when Kolkka beat Neville to a cross and headed towards goal. Then, Litmanen showed exquisite finesse, cushioning a pass to set up Johansson for a strike. Both efforts were well covered by Seaman. It needed something special for England to regain confidence,and it was the skipper who helped provide it, two minutes from the break. Beckham swept a wonderful pass out to wing for Gary Neville who chipped a defender and fired across to the back-post. The ball found Cole and then Owen, who curled an instinctive left-footed shot, which took a slight deflection on its way into the net. The relief turned to jubilation five minutes after the re-start when Beckham finished off a sweeping move to put England in front, rifling a near perfect shot wide of Niemi into the far corner.