FIFA World Cup 2002 Group F
Argentina started out as second favourites for the tournament but defeat by England left them needing a win against Sweden in their final group match. They could manage only a draw and were eliminated. Sven Göran Eriksson's England laboured into the next round behind Sweden with whom they finished level on points and goal difference but having scored fewer goals.
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Argentina
Nigeria
Argentina 1 Nigeria 0
Kashima Soccer Stadium, Ibaraki (34,050)
2 June 2002
A single headed goal from Batistuta with a little over an hour gone was all that separated the fancied South American and African sides. Argentina could have won by a larger margin but were denied by Shorunmu in the Nigerian goal.
If FIFA had handed out awards for the worst kits, Nigeria's lurid light green effort would have won hands down.
(Luke Bradley)
England
Sweden
England 1 Sweden 1
Saitama Stadium, Saitama (52,721)
2 June 2002
England surrendered a first half lead to a goal scored by Alexandersson in the 59th minute. The first half was tightly contested with Sweden having more shots at goal despite England having marginally more possession. In the second half, England were on the back foot and perhaps fortunate to have earned a point.
Sweden
Nigeria
Sweden 2 Nigeria 1
Wing Stadium, Kobe (36,194)
7 June 2002
A 27th minute goal by Aghahowa put Nigeria into the lead but they were pegged back eight minutes later when Celtic's star striker Henrik Larsson equalised. Larsson scored again from a penalty in the second half to secure the win.
England
Argentina
England 1 Argentina 0
Sapporo Dome, Sapporo (35,927)
7 June 2002
David Beckham was the hero for England, scoring a penalty just before half-time. In a tight match, England defended throughout the second half with determination to record their first win against Argentina in a competitive fixture since 1966 and make some amends for the painful defeats against Argentina in Mexico and France.
Sweden
Argentina
Sweden 1 Argentina 1
Miyagi Stadium, Miyagi (45,777)
12 June 2002
Argentina needed a win to stand any chance of progressing but despite dominating possession and having the lion's share of chances, they could not break through. Their task was made much more difficult when Claudio Caniggia was sent off in time added on at the end of the first half. In the 58th minute Anders Svensson put the Swedes into the lead from a brilliantly taken free-kick. Sweden held on as Argentina attacked in waves and in the 88th minute Hernan Crespo pounced after Marcus Hedman saved Daniel Ortega's penalty but it was too late and the South Americans were out.
Nigeria
England
Nigeria 0 England 0
Nagai Stadium, Osaka (44,684)
12 June 2002
In humid conditions, England knew that a draw would be enough to see them through to the next phase but they made heavy weather of it in a dull game.
After criticism that the white numbers and names on Nigeria's kit were practically invisible against Argentina, these were changed to black for this match.
(Luke Bradley)