13 mins: Batistuta booked for rash challenge

England 0, Argentina 0 (latest)

England have kicked off their crucial Group F World Cup clash against Argentina in Sapporo.

The sides kicked off in an ear-splitting atmosphere and Emile Heskey won an early flick on in the air but the situation was tidied up by Walter Samuel.

But it was the Argentinians who looked the more threatening in the early stages. David Seaman cut out a cross from Juan Sebastian Veron and then held on to a low centre from Kily Gonzalez after a flick from danger man, Gabriel Batistuta.

But he was relieved to see a 25-yard effort from Javier Zanetti flash just wide and then he was called into meaningful action for the first time to hold on to a powerful shot from Gonzalez after Juan Sorin had backheeled the ball into his path.

Gabriel Batistuta was booked on 13 minutes for a rash challenge on Ashley Cole.