On this day: Late Michael Owen double downs Argentina

Depending upon your age, England versus Argentina matches will evoke a certain memory.

Some will remember Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal during the 1986 World Cup, while others will recall a flicked leg from David Beckham that saw the England midfielder red-carded in the same tournament 12 years later.

Not many, though, will first think of a friendly match in Geneva eight years ago today.

While there was little riding on the outcome, the friendly had been arranged after both nations had secured their respective places at the following year's World Cup in Germany, so it was viewed as important preparation for that tournament.

In the early exchanges both Michael Owen and Hernan Crespo had goals ruled out for an offside and a foul respectively, before one of them eventually went on to break the deadlock in the 34th minute. Carlos Tevez worked the ball wide to Maxi Rodriguez, who in turn drilled in a cross for Crespo to prod Argentina into a 1-0 advantage.

However, within five minutes, the Three Lions were level. Captain Beckham rose highest to knock the ball into the path of Wayne Rooney and the Manchester United striker duly beat Roberto Abbondanzieri.

The parity did not last for long, though, because in the 53rd minute Argentina regained the lead. Playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme chipped in a free kick towards the back post for Walter Samuel, who guided a header beyond the reach of England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

England pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but after Frank Lampard fired over and Beckham and Owen saw shots saved by Abbondanzieri in quick succession, it appeared that their efforts were going to go unrewarded.

Nevertheless, with four minutes left to play, Steven Gerrard crossed from the right towards Owen and the frontman nodded the ball into the far corner of the net.

Owen, at Newcastle United at the time, then claimed the winning goal in stoppage time when he leapt above the Argentina rearguard to convert Joe Cole's cross, which sparked wild celebrations on the England bench.

ENGLAND: Robinson; Young (Crouch), Terry, Ferdinand, Bridge (Konchesky); Lampard, King (Cole), Beckham, Gerrard; Rooney, Owen

ARGENTINA: Abbondanzieri; Ayala (Coloccini), Sorin, Zanetti, Demichelis, Samuel; Riquelme (Gonzalez), Rodriguez, Cambiasso; Tevez (Cruz), Crespo (Saviola)