Euro 2000 Group A - England 1 Germany 0

England found a way back into contention in Group A at Euro 2000 with a 1-0 win over Germany at Charleroi.

The English now have three points with Germany and Romania trailing them on one point each as they go into the final matches on Tuesday. Portugal have already qualified with two wins so there is only one place in the quarter finals on offer in the section as the teams go into their deciding fixtures.

England have not beaten a German national team in competitive matches since the 1966 World Cup final but a 52nd minute headed goal from Alan Shearer earned them a victory that owed much to improved defending after their concession of three goals to Portugal as they lost on Monday night.

The real factor helping the England team remains David Beckham's ability to cross a ball for the strikers.

Before the goal Beckham was only involved in the match at free kicks and corners and he noticeably hit every ball to the far post. Several of these crosses were over hit but the time came for the right delivery and Shearer - the top scorer at the 1996 European Championships - was on hand to take the chance.

Beckham sent in a free kick that was low from the right hand side and it bounced over a ruck of players to rear up and allow Shearer at the far post to place his header as he fell forward into the far corner past Oliver Kahn.

Despite two quick scares the England defence held strong as the German attacks were predictable all night.

On 55 minutes Carsten Jancker turned a hit a angled shot over the cross bar and the same player drove wide of goal on the 64th minute when England goalkeeper David Seaman deflected an Ulf Kirsten snap shot from close range away from goal with his legs.

Germany produced no other notable efforts as the 1996 champions attempted to get back into the game and now need results to go their way to make the quarter finals.

England showed none of the weak defending that afflicted their game against the Portuguese but the German attack - the untried partnership of Jancker and Ulf Kirsten - was one paced and ordinary on the night.

German creativity from midfield was also lacking as Mehmet Scholl faded from the game as it wore on past the half hour mark.

The champions had grown to dominate possession in the first half without sending forwards through on goal and Seaman was only kept busy with weak and inaccurate shots from Scholl and Christian Ziege until England produced a good spell around the half hour mark.

First Oliver Kahn had to make a full stretch dive to turn a powerful Michael Owen header from the penalty spot against the post in the 34th minute in the best chance of the first session. Seconds later Paul Scholes volleyed wide and the same player was on the end of a sweeping pass across field from Beckham in the 42nd minute which Scholes chested into his path and volleyed at Kahn.

A game of few chances but a worthy win for England who possessed the one truly potent attacking asset in Beckham's delivery from the right particularly at set pieces.

England face Romania next with both teams still contending a qualifying place while Germany play a Portugal side who have no interest in picking up injuries and suspensions in a hard match after already making it to the last eight this afternoon. Germany know they will be facing weak and disinterested opponents while England must not make a mistake against an unpredictable Romanian team. Beckham is the one true English star of the tournament but he was booked for a hacking challenge on Kirsten after he reacted to a decision going against him in the 41st minute.

England cannot afford any suspensions for the midfielder. He is their best hope for Euro 2000 progress and the facts speak for themselves. Of nine goals scored by England this year Beckham has made all but one of them and all but one of those was from a free kick.