Beckham’s Tears, Show England’s Pain

Portugal has won a spiteful encounter against England 3-1 in a penalty shootout at Gelsenkirchen overnight.

As has become customary, drama brewed in an England quarter final at the World Cup as the combustible elements of ego’s, and frayed tempers came to the fore, as they often do, especially when a game involves England and a traditional rival.

Eventually the game came down to penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes, during which England did well to hold on with only tem men, but as usual, they failed dismally in the shootout, and a tearful David Beckham could only look on from the sidelines.

The two teams were evenly matched and England looked a much more stable outfit than they have recently, attacking with a fluency that has not been seen from them in a while, and though the first half was largely a tame affair with few chances for either team.

It was the midfields of both teams that had the better chances, particularly that of Portugal, who were dominating when Cristiano Ronaldo or Luis Figo were in possession, England however had few chances on Ricardo’s goal, with the trio of Beckham, Lampard and Steven Gerrard looking the most dangerous.

In truth, the best chance fell to Gerrard who blasted away form outside the box in the later stages only to have his attempt blocked as did Ronaldo at the other end, with Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, getting himself in the way.

Figo took a speculative shot right at the death, which nearly curled into Robinson’s goal but stayed just wide. The lack of action in the first 45 was in stark contrast to what would happen in the second stanza.

After just five minutes, and a superfluous knock to the ankle, Sven Goran Ericsson replaced a visibly unhappy and teary David Beckham with Aaron Lennon. The England captain, never one to hide his emotion through the captain’s armband to good friend Gary Neville, retreated off the pitch in tears knowing he may never play at the World Cup again, it was a sight that would be repeated later on.

Then at the 56th minute Frank Lampard wasted a golden opportunity when hitting a Steve Gerrard corner over the bar, after having a free shot at goal.

Wayne Rooney once again proved what a waste of space he is, when he lost his famous temper. After a two-on-one tackle where he lost the ball he proceeded to stomp, graphically and it appeared deliberately and with malice on the groin area of Ricardo Carvalho, earning himself a red card, and putting England at a disadvantage.

Peter Crouch was then brought into the game as the sole striker for England, but could do little as England spent most of the next hour defending against the tidal wave of Portugal’s attack.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Maniche and Miguel dominated and it was a good job from Paul Robinson to stop many a fine shot, and as the game grew older and older, England constantly repelled the Potuguese challenge, and gained some possession through Peter Crouch, who played superbly throughout.

Eventually the match came down to penalties, not a favourite past time for the English who have a woeful record at them.

Simao stepped up for Portugal and beat Robinson with a clinical penalty. And although the England number one went the right way, he could not get there, then Frank Lampard stepped up and hit a tame effort that was blocked by Ricardo, Portugal then missed, and Owen Hargreave provided the equliser to get it to 1-1.

Unfortunately, from there, it went downhill for England as Ricardo made a fantastic stop against Steven Gerrard. Then amid controversy saved Jamie Carragher’s second effort, after it was deemed that the keeper was not prepared for his first.

A smiling Cristiano Ronaldo, confident as ever, kissed the ball and blazed away into Robinson’s net after borking midway, and the Portuguese were ecstatic, and England were left shattered again.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!