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ENGLAND 0 / CHILE 2, February 11, 1998. |
WEMBLEY , February 11, 98 (AP) ... previous ... Chile improved its World Cup stock and England's may have come down a notch as the South Americans on Wednesday beat England for the first time in history on two goals by Marcelo "The Matador" Salas. Salas, who is bound from River Plate to Italian club Lazio on a 12-million pound ($20 million) transfer, showed in the 2-0 victory why he commands that kind of price. Salas got the first goal in the final minute of the first half on a brilliant goal from 15 meters. Salas scored with a perfect left-footed shot -- taken waist high -- after Jose Luis Sierra split the England defense with a perfect pass up the middle. In the 79th, he drew a penalty in the area when his ball control was too clever for England defender Sol Campbell. Campbell, frustrated at Salas' ball mastery, clipped the legs out from under him. Salas, who was rumored to be going to Manchester United, then drove the penalty behind England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn. The win was the first for Chile over England after two draws and two losses. It was also England's ninth game against a South American side without a win. It was also a historic night for England as Michael Owen -- at 18 and 59 days -- was in the starting 11 to become the youngest to play for England this century -- and the fourth youngest in history. He still has a year to break the record of the youngest to ever score for England. The Liverpool striker played all 90 minutes, had a chance early to score, and may have been England's best player. Owen, using his explosive speed, nearly scored in the sixth minute, forcing Chilean goalkeeper Nelson Tapia to make a quick-reflex save from 10 meters. Chile, very quick up front and playing like it was more than a friendly match, displayed clever passing in the first half and consistently stymied England at midfield. To be fair to the English, only three or four of their starters are likely to be in the starting 11 when the World Cup opens. England, in its first of six tune-ups prior to the World Cup this summer, brought on regulars Paul Ince and Alan Shearer early in the second half. Shearer's, appearance -- out for six months with an injury -- brought thundering applause from the 60,000 sellout. Ince and Greame Le Saux tested Tapia with difficult shots in the second half, England's best chances to draw even. England's Andy Cole was ruled out at the last minute by injury. Chile's outstanding forward Ivan Zamorano also missed with an injury. England : Nigel Martyn; Gary Neville, Sol Cambell, David Batty, Tony Adams, Phil Neville, Rob Lee, Nicky Butt, Dion Dublin, Teddy Sheringham, Michael Owen. Subs : Gareth Southgate, Shaka Hislop, Graeme Le Saux, Paul Ince, Paul Gascoigne, Steve McManaman, Alan Shearer. Chile : Nelson Tapia; Moises Villarroel, Pedro Reyes, Ronald Fuentes, Javier Margas, Francisco Rojas, Clarence Acuna, Nelson Parraguez, Jose Luis Sierra, Rodrigo Barrera, Marcelo Salas. Subs : Marcelo Ramirez, Fernando Cornejo, Marcelo Vega, Rodrigo Valenzuela, Juan Carreno, Pablo Galdames, Sabastian Rozental. 
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