12th June - 19.45 - Group A Match
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Match Report

England produced a gritty performance in abysmal conditions to get their Euro 2004 campaign off to a flying start with a 2-1 win over Slovakia. Middlesbrough's Szilard Nemeth gave the home side the lead after 24 minutes only for England to hit back with two second-half goals from Michael Owen ensuring a good win under terrible conditions for Sven Goran Eriksson's men. The first half was a scrappy affair as a result of the quagmire pitch at the Slovan Stadium in rain-lashed Bratislava. England struggled to stamp their authority on the game in a hostile atmosphere as Szilard Nemeth, Vladimir Janocko and Robert Vittek caused problems for the Three Lions' rearguard. Vittek had set England hearts fluttering as early as the seventh minute as he was clean through on goal, only to stumble and allow Gareth Southgate to make the covering tackle. David Beckham had two early free-kicks from good positions but failed to trouble the Slovakian keeper, while Nicky Butt went just inches wide with a good curling strike. But on 24 minutes Steven Gerrard allowed Vladimir Janocko to cross deep from right on the bye-line. It was headed down by Attila Pinte and Nemeth pounced to hand Slovakia the lead. England's best chance fell to Gareth Southgate after 38 minutes following a defensive lapse but his header was tipped over by Miroslav Konig in the Slovakia goal. As the half-time whistle approached, Gerrard became the first England player to be booked after a rash challenge on Miroslav Karhan. England made a much-improved start to the second half, with Owen shooting well wide from what was a good position as the visitors stepped up their attacking workrate. Despite England being in the ascendancy, Nemeth continued to be a thorn in their side, torturing Southgate and firing a ball across the face of goal, but Slovakia had no-one there to capitalise. England made their improved work pay with a goal on 65 minutes as Beckham swung in a deep cross to the far post from a free-kick on the left and an on-rushing Michael Owen stretched to get what must have been the faintest of touches with his head as keeper Konig stood rooted to the spot. As the match moved into the closing stages of what was by no means a classic encounter, it was still England with the best of the play. What had looked to be turning out as a disappointing night in Bratislava suddenly became a vital win as Paul Scholes showed great determination to get past his man on the right wing and get his cross away for Owen to steal in with another header at the near post to seal the 2-1 win for England.