Match No. 778 - Wednesday, 28th March 2001, 8:30pm

  • "Albania substitute Altin Rraklli was the benficiary of a mistake by Rio Ferdinand in injury time to give England an anxious last few minutes." Altin Rraklli, 90'92:00 +3
  •  
  •  
    • 1
    • Foto StrakoshaFotaq Strakosha.
      Born 29th Mar 1965, Memaliaj, Albania.
       (c)
    • 2
    • Altin LalaAltin Lala.
      Born 18th Nov 1975, Tirana, Albania.
       41:11 Cynically checking Ashley Cole as he went passed him.
    • 3
    • Geri ÇipiGeri Çipi.
      Born 28th Feb 1976, Vlorë, Albania.
    • 4
    • Arjan XhumbaArjan Xhumba.
      Date of birth unknown, Gjirokastër, Albania.
    • 5
    • Ervin FakajErvin Pëllumb Fakaj.
      Born 15th Jun 1976, Vlorë, Albania.
    • 6
    • Besnik HasiBesnik Hasi.
      Born 29th Dec 1971, Gjakova, SFR Yugoslavia.
       50:57 Dissent. Hasi was penalised for grappling with Michael Owen unfairly. He showed his disgust and the referee booked him.
    • 7
    • Arjan BellajArjan Bellaj.
      Born 1st Feb 1971, Gjirokastër, Albania.
    • 8
    • Alban BushiAlban Bushi.
      Born 20th Aug 1973, Tirana, Albania.
    • 9
    • Bledar KolaBledar Kola.
      Born 1st Aug 1972, Mirditë, Albania.
    • Off '8281:26
    • 10
    • Fatmir VataFatmir Vata.
      Born 20th Sep 1971, Rrëshen, Albania.
    • Off '8988:05
    • 11
    • Igli TareIgli Tare.
      Born 25th Jul 1973, Vlorë, Albania.
    • Off '9392:29
    • 14
    • Devi MukaDevis Mukaj.
      Born 21st Dec 1976, Vlorë, Albania.
    • On '8281:26
    • 13
    • Altin RraklliAltin Rraklli.
      Born 17th Jul 1970, Kavajë, Albania.
    • On '8988:05
    • 16
    • Ervin SkelaErvin Skela.
      Born 17th Nov 1976, Vlorë, Albania.
    • On '9392:29
  • Assist: Paul Scholes. "A ball inside from Gary Neville, an exquisite touch by Scholes, and there was Owen haring to beat Strakosha." Michael Owen10th of 40 goals. Right-footed from 13 yards., 74' 73:06
  • Assist: Andrew Cole. "The next goal was equally astute, owing much to Andy Cole's surge on the left after which he smartly switched the ball back from the goalline for Scholes to thrust into the net." Paul Scholes11th of 14 goals. Left-footed from 3 yards., 85' 84:51
  • Assist: Emile Heskey. "England...added that memorable third from Cole with virtually the last kick of the game to claim the points." Andrew ColeOnly Goal. Right-footed from yards., 90' +695:24
    • 1
    • David SeamanArsenal, 64th of 75 caps
      37 years, 6 months, 9 days
      Goalkeeper
    • 2
    • Gary NevilleMan Utd, 44th of 85 caps
      26 years, 1 month, 10 days
      Right Back       81:26 Booked for time-wasting over a throw-in after Albania's first substitution. Neville looked bemused.
    • 3
    • Ashley ColeArsenal, 1st of 107 caps
      20 years, 3 months, 8 days
      Left Back
    • 4
    • Nicky ButtMan Utd, 12th of 39 caps
      26 years, 2 months, 7 days
      Midfield
    • 5
    • Rio FerdinandLeeds, 13th of 81 caps
      22 years, 4 months, 21 day
      Centre Back
    • 6
    • Sol CampbellSpurs, 40th of 73 caps
      26 years, 6 months, 10 days
      Centre Back
    • Off '2928:41
    • 7
    • David BeckhamMan Utd, 40th of 115 caps
      25 years, 10 months, 26 days
      Right Midfield       (c)4th captaincy
    • 8
    • Paul ScholesMan Utd, 33rd of 66 caps
      26 years, 4 months, 12 days
      Midfield
    • 9
    • Andrew ColeMan Utd, 13th of 15 caps
      29 years, 5 months, 13 days
      Centre Forward       86:37 Late tackle on Vata. Cole is banned for the next match. Vata is stretched off.
    • 10
    • Michael OwenLiverpool, 27th of 89 caps
      21 years, 3 months, 14 days
      Centre Forward
    • Off '8483:15
    • 11
    • Steve McManamanReal Madrid, 33rd of 37 caps
      29 years, 1 month, 17 days
      Left Midfield
    • Off 'HT46:00
    • 14
    • Wes BrownMan Utd, 3rd of 23 caps
      22 years, 0 months, 12 days
      Centre Back
    • On '2928:41
    • 16
    • Emile HeskeyLiverpool, 14th of 62 caps
      23 years, 2 months, 17 days
      Centre Forward
    • On 'HT46:00
    • 17
    • Teddy SheringhamMan Utd, 40th of 51 caps
      34 years, 11 month, 26 days
      Centre Forward
    • On '8483:15

Notes

  • Payer InjuryCampbell tussles with Tare over a lofted pass by Lala into the box [23:56] but his left ankle comes off worse. He hobbles around for a few minutes and comes back on a couple of minutes later [27:13].
  • Goal disallowedRraklli had a second goal ruled out in stoppage time [93:56] but the linesman put his flag up early. Television replays indicate Nveille was playing him onside.
  • MissileAfter scoring Andy Cole runs to the corner flag where the other Egnalnd players congratulate him. During this Ashley Cole is struck on the head by a lipstick thrown by the crowd. The Albanian FA were fined $2,000.
  • Player MilestoneAshley Cole's 1st Cap
  • Goal MilestoneMichael Owen's 10th Goal
  • Goal MilestoneAndrew Cole's 1st Goal

Sources

  • englandstats.com Digital Archive
  • BBC Football "Cole goal caps England victory", Wednesday 28th March 2001.
  • The Guardian "Scholes puts snap into England", Thursday 29th March 2001.
  • YouTube

Previous Match

Next Match

Managers

Referee

  • Luxembourg Alain Hamer

Attendance

  • 18,000

Half Time Score

ELO Ratings

  • Up 1 place, gaining 10 ranking points to 1883 points England - 11th - 1
  • Albania - 80th

World Cup 2002 Q

(Group 9)

    •  
    • Pts
    • GD
    • L
    • D
    • W
    • P
    • Flag of England
    • England
    • 17
    • +10
    • 1
    • 2
    • 5
    • 8
    • Flag of Germany
    • Germany
    • 17
    • +4
    • 1
    • 2
    • 5
    • 8
    • Flag of Finland
    • Finland
    • 12
    • +5
    • 2
    • 3
    • 3
    • 8
    • Flag of Greece
    • Greece
    • 7
    • -10
    • 5
    • 1
    • 2
    • 8
    • Flag of Albania
    • Albania
    • 3
    • -9
    • 7
    • 0
    • 1
    • 8
    • Final Standings.