A DAVID Beckham penalty gave England a 1-0 win over Argentina in the Group F match in Sapporo.

A tight second half saw England defend deep inside their own box but come away with the win they were desperate for.

England's World Cup dream is now alive and well as they sit alongside Sweden on top of Group F.

A draw against Nigeria next Wednesday will be enough to secure their place in the last 16.

A performance beyond many fans' dreams saw a David Beckham penalty on 44 minutes give England a 1-0 advatage over Argentina at half-time.

England kept a good pace and Butt played his best game in an England shirt.

The penalty came about after Owen was tripped up in the box, after a good pass by Scholes.

Despite losing Hargreaves early in the first half, Sinclair came on and patroled down the left, looking lively.

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson hailed England's spirit he said: "We created chances and we played with a big, big heart.

"I am very pleased. It was hard in the last 15 minutes when we were tired but we deserved to win."

Beckham described the chance of putting the agony of four years ago to bed as "unbelievable".

The Manchester United midfielder became public enemy number one after being dismissed as England crashed out to Argentina in the last World Cup but today it was a different story.

Beckham said: "It feels better that it did four years ago and it's just unbelievable.

"It's been four years since the last time and a long four years so that tops it all off."

Beckham also revealed that he ignored gamesmanship from the Argentina players to fire home the penalty and he was quick to praise his team-mates.

He added: "It was (difficult) because of the antics of the keeper telling me to put it one way and Simeone coming to shake my hand.

"But we've done well and worked really hard for this. The team was absolutely brilliant for the whole 92 minutes."

Teams:

Argentina: Cavallero, Sorin, Samuel, Pocchettino, Placente, Zanetti, Simeone, Veron, Gonzalez, Ortega, Batistuta. Subs: Aimar, Almeyda, Ayala, Bonano, Burgos, Caniggia, Chamot, Crespo, Gallardo, Husain, Claudio Lopez, Gustavo Lopez.

England: Seaman, Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, Ashley Cole, Beckham, Butt, Hargreaves, Scholes, Heskey, Owen. Subs: Bridge, Brown, Joe Cole, Dyer, Fowler, James, Keown, Martyn, Sheringham, Sinclair, Southgate, Vassell.

Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy)