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     v Portugal v Germany v Romania Qualifying    |
England 6 -v- 0 Luxembourg
It was no surprise Paul Philipp's part-timers should serve so well as whipping boys for the England captain and Kevin Keegan's much-shuffled pack in the September sunshine. This was the holiday before the hard work begins, the first international hat-trick for Shearer and the first goals of any kind at this level for Steve McManaman coming before half-time to ensure the only sweat on English brows pitchside was caused by the 105-degree heat, not the prospect of humiliating under-achievement. Then, just as a stalemate second half looked to end the day in anti-climax, up popped Michael Owen as substitute with the goal of the game to remind us, after all, that there was a serious aspect to this afternoon stroll. Because while there will be few poorer teams visiting Wembley than Luxembourg, what Keegan takes from this game is the knowledge he does have a team capable of responding to his demands, however unusual they might appear to others. The team was of strange composition - Kieron Dyer at right back, Ray Parlour on the left - yet Keegan's decision to play the Newcastle youngster out of position was fully validated by half-time, his pace terrifying the Luxembourgeoise defence and the manager hailing him as the inspiration for victory. Parlour was less successful, and it is worth noting that four of England's six goals were scored when he had reverted to his more familiar place on the right, McManaman switching to his stamping ground on the left. Still, if the game only served to reintroduce Owen to the international frame and boost the egos of such key figures as Shearer and McManaman in the run-up to the must-win match in Warsaw on Wednesday, it was worthwhile. The afternoon belonged to Shearer. One goal came from the penalty spot, the third was a simple tap-in, but the second indicated a striker at the height of his powers. Rumours of his death as an England force have been greatly exaggerated. His first, in the 12th minute, came after Dyer had stormed into the penalty area with a youthful exuberance and been tripped by Luxembourg captain Marc Birsens. Putting 12 yards and a 23-year-old goalkeeper from Jeunesse Esch between Shearer and redemption was never an obstacle. The ball was goalbound the moment it left his boot. With 28 minutes gone, Shearer put the outcome beyond doubt. David Beckham played the ball in, Shearer flicked it to Fowler, who held it up well before returning it to his captain to finish with trademark efficiency. A similar finality was at work six minutes later when another great run from Dyer, who lost the ball to a tackle midway yet found the energy to win it back and continue, ended with a low cross which Shearer completed with the easiest of tap-ins to take his record to 27 in 52 appearances. Ray Parlour's 30th-minute cross was stepped over by Shearer for McManaman to tap in at the far post. Another 14 minutes and a David Batty cross allowed the Real Madrid man to convert a stooping header. It is unthinkable the Poles will be as charitable. Michael Owen ended the nearly goalless second half with a goal.His goal, coming late in injury-time, was a delight - a one-two played with McManaman on the right, the target then eyed up and struck with a sublime accuracy, his 20-yard shot from the far right edge of the area nestling in the top corner of goalkeeper Philippe Felgen's net. It was, remarkably, his first goal at Wembley since performing for England's Under-15 team - and he is unlikely to score many better. A good result against the team that hadn't won in 13 years but the real test will be in Warsaw against Poland. |
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