England

3-1

Hungary

Gerrard 47, Terry 51, Crouch 84

 

Dardai 55


International Friendly 
Old Trafford, Manchester United FC
8.05pm, 30 May 2006

Amid all the discussions about whether Aaron Lennon should start on the right wing for England, skipper David Beckham stepped up to the plate last night and did what he does best – delivered the goods.

There has rightly been a lot of talk about Lennon’s exciting ability to beat his marker down the flanks and put the ball in the danger area, but it should not be forgotten that when it comes to whipping the ball in from wide positions, there are few deadlier players in world football than the England captain.

Back at Old Trafford, where he learned his trade with Manchester United and enjoyed possibly his finest hour and a half in an England shirt – against Greece in 2001 – Beckham gave a timely reminder that he can be deadly with a dead ball.

Two free-kicks from Beckham in a three-minute period shortly after half-time allowed Steven Gerrard and John Terry to head the goals that gave England an unassailable lead.

Those two assists took Beckham's England tally of direct passes that led to goals to an astonishing 29.

And although he played no part in Peter Crouch’s late goal to confirm a morale-boosting victory, Beckham showed with his all-round performance that he is still the main man when it comes to putting the ball in where it matters.

At the same time, he inched closer to Bryan Robson’s position as third place in terms of England captains, behind Billy Wright and Bobby Moore.

A portent of what was to come arrived in the first minute when Beckham whipped in a free-kick from the right and Terry headed just over the bar.

The rest of the half was a battle of wills in midfield, with England having the edge without creating many clear-cut chances. One came in the 28th minute when Gerrard’s long pass found Beckham by the right-hand corner flag, and his first-time cross gave Michael Owen the chance to power a header that Crystal Palace goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly did well to save.

Two minutes before half-time, Beckham whipped in another perfect delivery from the right and Joe Cole flicked on with his head, only to see the ball rebound off the far post and out again.

The game really came alive soon after the break. A free-kick from the right was whipped in with his usual power and accuracy, allowing Gerrard to put a thumping header past Kiraly.

Three minutes later, another trademark free-kick, this time from the left, was flighted perfectly in the path of Terry, who nipped in ahead of Kiraly to glance a header into the far corner.

Another Terry effort from a Beckham corner was saved just after the hour, but it was all smiles at the end as England wrapped up a comfortable victory to keep the Three Lions on course for their mission in Germany – with skipper Beckham at the helm.