Michael Owen scored two goals in the dying minutes to help England beat their footballing archrivals Argentina 3-2 in a thrilling World Cup warm-up match in Geneva this evening. The Argentinians came out of the traps very quickly, and dominated the first twenty minutes of play, with both sides maintaining a solid pace, and early chances being missed by both teams.

Each team had a goal disallowed in the opening period, with a Michael Owen header being ruled out for offside, and minutes later, a strike from Chelsea’s Hernan Crespo being waved away by the referee for a foul by the striker.

The South American Group winners had the majority of the possession in the opening twenty minutes, with some stunning football, notably from their midfield playmaker Riquelme, and forcing Paul Robinson, England’s No.1 into making some fine saves to keep the scoreline 0-0.

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney was unlucky when his shot hit the far post, after a lovely interplay with Steven Gerrard, who supplied him with an exquisite pass, but as it seemed England appeared to be seizing control Argentina took the lead in the 35th minute of the first half with a close range strike from Chelsea’s Hernan Crespo, from a Maxi Rodriguez cross, which left fellow Chelsea player Wayne Bridge helpless to defend.

Wayne Rooney, who throughout the game put in a mammoth performance for the England team, equalised just before the half-time break when he latched on to England captain David Beckham's flick-on, and placed the ball beautifully past Argentine keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

The second half carried on with the same frenetic pace, and enthralling football that the first half had offered, with both keepers being forced into some stunning saves, and Argentina were the first to capitalize when a Riquelme free kick gave the 'Albiceleste' the lead once more. The Villarreal midfielder floated in the ball to an unmarked Samuel, who lifted his header over Paul Robinson, and into the far corner. 2-1 to Argentina.

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson responded by substituting Joe Cole for Ledley King, allowing Steven Gerrard to move into his preferred central midfield role, and Cole taking the right wing.

England almost equalised when Argentina’s keeper Abbondanzieri could only parry away a David Beckham free kick, and then did brilliantly to prevent Owen sliding in for the follow-up, and parrying away for a corner.

With time running out for England to hope for any result, Eriksson brought on Liverpool’s striker Peter Crouch, and played him up alongside Rooney and Owen, playing three up front.

Eriksson's attacking gamble paid off beautifully when Gerrard, from a right-back position, played a perfect cross-field ball for Owen to head home, and draw the scores level.

The England fans were in full song at this point, but they were put into absolutely ecstasy minutes later when Joe Cole set up Michael Owen for a last minute winner, with yet another header to give England their dramatic win over their old foes.

It was an absolutely stunning game, with both teams playing some excellent attacking football, and playing at an electric pace. One can only now be even more excited about the upcoming World Cup Finals, with two of the top teams in the tournament having provided such a wonderfully entertaining, and good natured spectacle, in what can often be tame International friendly encounters, for football fans all around the globe.

Argentina team:
Abbondanzieri, Ayala (Coloccini 74), Sorin, Zanetti, Demichelis, Samuel, Riquelme (Gonzalez 84), Rodriguez, Cambiasso, Tevez (Cruz 80), Crespo (Saviola 70).
Subs Not Used: Franco, Placente, Milito, Battaglia.

Booked: Samuel, Rodriguez.

Goals (Argentina): Crespo 34, Samuel 53.

England team:
Robinson, Young (Crouch 80), Terry, Ferdinand, Bridge (Konchesky 46), Lampard, King (Cole 58), Beckham, Gerrard, Rooney, Owen.
Subs Not Used: James, Campbell, Wright-Phillips, Defoe, Neville, Smith, Green, Carrick, Jenas.

Booked: Young, Lampard, Cole.

Goals (England): Rooney 39, Owen 86, 90.

Referee: Philippe Leuba (Switzerland).