Rooney magic gives England lead at break

Croatia 1 England 1

Paul Scholes scored his first international goal for three years as England recovered from an early setback to move within touching distance of the Euro 2004 quarter-finals.

Scholes equalised after Niko Kovac had given Croatia a surprise lead in Lisbon with a close range tap-in after a free-kick had not been cleared.

And then, just as England were looking to make it through to half time, Wayne Rooney emerged as their hero once again, striking a blistering shot just inside the post.

There were several thousand seats left unfilled with the Football Association having bought up an allocation unused by Croatia to ensure segregation arrangements were not compromised.

But England fans still filled more than three quarters of the 65,000 capacity stadium with Croatia having a support of around 9,000.

England would also have been relieved to find a pitch bathed in shadow at kick-off time after the sweltering conditions in Coimbra against Switzerland.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson had pledged to attack despite only needing a point to qualify and Michael Owen made an early break down the right flank.

It required Niko Kovac at full stretch to head clear with Paul Scholes having taken up a dangerous position on the far side of the penalty area.

But then England were stunned when Croatia went ahead through Kovac after only five minutes.

A free-kick from the left flank by Milan Rapaic found Boris Zivkovic, whose effort was parried away by James – but Kovac was first to react and buried the rebound via a deflection off Terry.

England tried to retaliate instantly and a throughball from Rooney picked out Scholes – but his shot cannoned off the legs of Tomislav Butina.

Frank Lampard found himself in a yard of space just outside the Croatian box only for his shot on the turn to be a weak effort easily collected by Butina.

Gerrard won England’s first corner after 24 minutes and, after Sol Campbell’s header from a Beckham cross had been cleared, Terry sent in a goalbound shot from 25 yards out which Butina had his body behind.

England were now enjoying most of the possession but they were served warning of the danger of being caught on the break when Prso played in Tomislav Sokota, whose shot on the turn was held onto by James.

Beckham had the chance to show his free-kick prowess when Rooney was brought down by Tudor 20 yards out in the ’D’ – but the captain’s curling shot was blocked by the defensive wall.

Croatia were dealing comfortably with what England had to offer but then the game turned round completely with Eriksson’s side scoring twice in five minutes leading up to half-time.

After 40 minutes Paul Scholes scored his first goal for England in three years - a run spanning 30 internationals – when he stooped to head home at the far post.

Lampard had set up the opportunity with a chip over the Croatian defence, Owen had an effort blocked and Rooney headed across goal for the Manchester United midfielder got the final decisive touch.

Then in first-half injury-time Rooney gave another example of his blossoming talent when he picked the ball up 25 yards out and sent an unstoppable shot past the despairing dive of Butina although the Croatian keeper did manage to get a fingertip to the ball.