Football’s Greatest Goals No.1
Here is the first in a new series, ‘Football’s Greatest Goals’. I will add a new Greatest Goal article on here every Thursday.
The first goal in the series is Michael Owen’s sensational solo goal for England against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup in France.
With the score at 1-1 after 16 minutes, David Beckham picked Owen out who was stood just inside the Argentine half.
Owen took the ball down well and began running towards the Argentine goal with Jose Chamot closing him down. The two tussled with each other but the England forward had the extra strength needed to out-muscle his opponent.
On he went and Chamot again tried to knock Owen off-balance but he was in full flight now. Nothing was going to stop him, not even Roberto Ayala, the next Argentine defender blocking his route to goal.
With a lightning-quick step over and shimmy of the hips, Owen ran across Ayala towards the right of the goal and he now was in the penalty area.
Carlos Roa in the Argentine goal had moved forward to the edge of his six yard box in an effort to close down the rapidly advancing 18 year old.
Owen fired a rising shot across Roa and high into the far corner of the net.
The goal announced Michael Owen onto the world stage and he became an international superstar overnight. Owen would gain superstar status and youngsters across the country all wanted to be like him.
The video below is from the ITV coverage of the goal. Commentator Brian Moore retired from commentating at the end of the 1998 World Cup.
You can hear the sheer joy and pleasure in his voice as he commentates on Owen runs through the Argentine defence before firing home.
Interestingly, the co-commentator for ITV that night was Kevin Keegan, who went on to become Owen’s next England manager!
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