philly

Watching the replay of the match from earlier today. Somehow, I managed to not read about any of the results from any of today's matches so I'm excited for this game. T&T are coming off an inspirational draw against Sweeden where they played a man down for the entire second half against a strong Sweedish side. England will try to prove that they should still be considered a favorite to win after a less than stellar opener against Paraguay.

17' Nothing much one side or the other, but injured English star Michael Owen is in the starting lineup and has made a few good runs so far.

19' A yellow card issued to T&T after a jersey tug – FIFA has made it very clear that they aren't going to be tolerating jersey pulling and they've been doling them out all tournament. A dangerous spot for a free kick by Beckham which ends up in the wall.

20' Another yellow card for T&T after a hard tackle from behind at just about the same spot with a free kick ending on the head of the gangly Crouch and off target.

26' The English fans break out into their first "God Save the Queen" of the match. I don't recall them breaking that out against Paraguay until very very late, if not after the game.

30' The camera pans the English sideline as it shows Wayne Rooney warming up. The English side needs the jolt that Rooney always provides.

35' The first good shot on goal is England's Frank Lampard from 30 yards, just past the half circle at the top of the box. A laser which went wide to the left of the net.

35' T&T take a great short corner by Dwight York to the back post and a header, behind the keeper, by John doesn't miss by much.

39' A free kick from 50 yards just short of the PK spot is dangerous, but headed well high of the net with no pace. T&T is chipping away slowly and generally out playing the English side on all fronts.

41' Englad sends a nice ball into the box over the top from 50 yards onto Owen on the back post who one times it to Lampard 6 yards out who hits it on a full volley sailing over the net.

43' a PERFECT ball into the box by Beckham right by the PK spot to Crouch. He was all alone and had all the time in the world to two touch it. Instead, he side volleys it, mis-timing it, off of his shin well wide of the net.

45' A ball sent in by T&T from 45 yards out into the box sends the keeper off his line and is beat. Two English defenders and a T&T player go for the high ball and Terry clears the ball just shy of the line to avoid a catastrophic goal by T&T.

52' Rooney is off the bench again to run some sprints. England still looks flat showing nothing at the start of this half. They really have to make some changes.

53' A great ball played into the middle of the box splitting two English defenders and it's cleared at the last moment by Terry before T&T could get off a very close range shot on goal. Terry probably just saved a second goal right there.

55' Crouch gets a ball in the box played to his feet and he flicks it up into the air to attempt a sloppy bicycle kick. Get this fool off the pitch.

56' A Beckham freekick from 45 yards right on Owen's head is sent low and wide. He was all alone and couldn't finish. Rooney is up off the bench and seems prepared to come in after a chat with the coach. He's a bulldogish force on the pitch.

58' Wayne Rooney checks in to a thunderous applause taking… Owen off? I think that's the wrong move – Crouch needs to be taken out.

61' Rooney's first series of touches from 30 yards out gets the crowd on it's feet and cheering. It ends in nothing, but the English crowd is definitely back in this one.

73' Two end to end runs first by T&T after a poor Beckham free kick and then England to breathe some life back into this game witih 20' to go.

76' Cornell Glen of T&T with his second breakaway of the match, just slowed down enough to be tackled off the ball.

77' A one-two from Crouch to Rooney and then back to Crouch who lays it off to Lampard for a shot from 8 yards out right into the gut of keeper Hislop who was incredible during the Sweeden game.

78' Lampard again from the right side of the goal hits it just wide off the far post. England is looking like a much better side in the last 8' with several chances.

83' Beckham with a great cross right onto the head of Crouch for a strong finish. A goal from England right at the end of the match. But T&T still have time to even it up. Shows what I know about the team, Crouch would've been gone already if I were Sven. Looking at the replay a few times, it looked like a foul as he climbed the T&T defender's back for leverage.

88' Another round of "God Save the Queen" but this time in a more relieved tone as this was England's first second half goal in a World Cup since 1988.

90' + 01' Gerrard puts one in from the top of the box after a lovely turn on the ball with the sole of his foot and a sharp cut to his left foot. A rocket into the side netting.

90' + 02' Glen with some remarkable moves to take two defenders on and send a shot and John backheels it into the back of the net nutmegging the keeper, but he was just offsides.

90' + 04' The final whistle and T&T left it all on the field. They have nothing to be ashamed of in this game as they just ran out of gas at the end and couldn't match up against the 6'7" Crouch as he scored with his head [I think it was a foul] and then Gerrard in extra time.

Final: England 2 – Trinidad & Tobago 0

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