ENGLAND today put their footballing nemesis to the sword with a thrilling 1-0 World Cup win over Argentina.

England's world-class double act of Michael Owen and captain marvel David Beckham contrived to force the all important winning goal against the pre-tournament favourites just minutes before half-time.

Owen, whose pace unnerved the Argentinian defence throughout the opening period, was upended by Mauricio Pochettino for a clear-cut penalty.

Beckham, villain against Argentina in France four years ago, stepped up and slammed the spot-kick straight down the middle of the goal and beyond the legs of Pablo Cavallero, the Argentinian 'keeper.

The sensational result in Japan's futuristic Sapporo Dome leaves England on the verge of qualification for the second stage of the competition.

As long as they avoid defeat to Nigeria in their final Group 'F' match on Wednesday in Osaka Sven Goran-Eriksson's men will be through to the last 16.

The result marks a dramatic turnaround in World Cup fortunes for England and Beckham at the hands of the Argentines, who had not lost in two years prior to this afternoon's game.

In France '98, England crashed out on penalties to the South Americans after Beckham was red-carded for kicking out at Diego Simeone.

In Mexico 1986, England went out after Diego Maradona scored his infamous 'Hand of God' goal.

The win was richly deserved for England, who turned in a vastly improved performance from that witnessed against the Swedes last Sunday.

They were forced to defend for long periods of the second-half but still created the better chances.

Argentina started brightly with Javier Zanetti forcing a save from David Seaman with a shot from the edge of the area before Kily Gonzalez also drove inches wide as he latched on to a Juan Pablo Sorin's back-heel.

England's attacking ambitions were restricted in the opening 15 minutes but it was the withdrawal of Owen Hargreaves, forced to limp from the fray after a tackle with Pochettino, that turned the tide in England's favour.

Trevor Sinclair came off the bench, forcing Paul Scholes back into his more familiar central midfield slot alongside Manchester United team mate Nicky Butt.

Butt, making his first appearance in the World Cup, had an imperious first-half, and his pass released Owen, who from an acute angle hit a low drive that cannoned back off the inside of a post with Cavallero well beaten.

A goal down, Argentina were forced into a surprise tactical change at the start of the second-half with Veron replaced by young starlet Pablo Aimar.

Aimar drove a shot straight at Seaman but it was England who came closest.

From a Seaman punt, Owen spun away from Pocchettino only to drag his shot wide.

Scholes then forced a spectacular save from Calvallero with a fierce volley and soon after Beckham burst beyond Placente but, off balance, poked his shot just wide.

Minutes later and Scholes' cross picked out substitute Teddy Sheringham but the Spurs' striker's dipping effort was well saved.

As the clock ticked down, England were pushed deeper and it took a superb point-blank save from Seaman to deny a Pochettino header from less than six yards as England held out for long-awaited revenge.

Updated: 15:18 Friday, June 07, 2002