Gamarra own goal hands England 1-0 win

An own goal from Paraguay captain Carlos Gamarra handed England a 1-0 win in their FIFA World Cup Group B match on Saturday.

The win means England leads Group B tentatively on 3 points as they await the outcome of Sweden's game against Trinidad and Tobago.

Gamarra deflected David's Beckham 3rd minute free-kick past his own goalkeeper Justo Villar.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson opted for a 4-4-2 line up with Peter Crouch filling in for the recovering Wayne Rooney up front beside Michael Owen.

Two minutes later, Villar had to be leave the pitch after hurting his leg while trying to clear the ball and was replaced by Aldo Bobadilla.

After the goal, England dominated in terms of possession and made several attempts to kill off Paraguay's hopes.

Bobadilla was put to test with a long-range Frank Lampard effort in the 23rd minute.

Paraguay's only first-half chance came in stoppage time through Nelson Valdez who controlled a loose ball on his chest inside the area but fired inches wide.

Carlos Paredes wasted an opportunity to equalize for Paraguay on the hour mark when he sent a volley wide over out-of-position England Keeper Paul Robinson who made a poor clearance in his path.

Paraguay had Bobadilla to thank for maintaining the score line after he parried away another Lampard bullet in the 88th minute.