England Vs. Slovakia: The History

England return to action on the last weekend in March, as Slovakia prepare to make their first trip to Wembley. Fabio Capello’s team will be looking to bounce back from defeat to European Champions Spain last time out in Madrid, as they seek to build confidence ahead of the World Cup Qualifying game against Ukraine on April 1.

After the division of Czechoslovakia, the Slovak Football Association was founded in 1993, and they will be facing the Three Lions for only the third time. Both previous meetings took place in the Euro 2004 Qualifiers. Sven Goran Eriksson’s men triumphed twice, but were forced to do so the hard way, coming from behind in both fixtures.

The sides first meeting was England’s first match of European Championship qualifying as they travelled to Bratislava in October 2002.

Middlesbrough’s Szilárd Németh gave the home side the lead, beating David Seaman midway through the first half. England were forced to wait until just past the hour for their equaliser, scored by David Beckham. England’s captain swung in the free-kick from the left and it evaded everyone to creep in at the far post.

England’s comeback was complete when Michael Owen nipped in at the near post with a header to score a priceless winner and get England’s qualifying campaign off to a winning, albeit shaky, start.

The return game was in June 2003 and was played at Middlesbrough’s Riverside stadium due to the ongoing rebuilding work at Wembley. This remains England’s only match played at the Riverside stadium to date.

Slovakia again took the lead, as the match followed a similar theme to the previous meeting. Vladimir Janocko gave his side the lead in the first half with an angled free-kick from 30 yards which evaded everyone in the box before beating David James.

Eriksson’s diamond formation in midfield was woefully unsuccessful and the Swede eventually saw fit to change things with the introduction of Owen Hargreaves just before half-time.

An ineffectual Wayne Rooney was substituted just prior to the hour mark, and his replacement, Darius Vassell, sparked the home side back into life. Michael Owen, captain in the absence of Beckham, won and converted a penalty on 61 minutes.

Owen then headed home from club teammate Steven Gerrard’s cross, to mark his 50^th cap with a brace, and secure England another valuable three points.

England went on to top the qualifying group ahead of Turkey, after securing a 0-0 draw in Istanbul on the last matchday. Slovakia finished in third place.

Of the players that faced Slovakia over the two ties, David James, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Emile Heskey, and David Beckham are all likely to be involved again.