England Falls To Romania 3-2 at EURO 2000

June 20, 2000 - Phil Neville's moment of madness cost England a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2000 as Romania booted Kevin Keegan's men out thanks to a late, late penalty.

Neville hacked Viorel Moldovan to the deck with less than two minutes of the game remaining and Ioan Ganea made no mistake from the spot to win the final Group A game 3-2.

It was cruel on England after they cam from a goal down and at 2-2 had the point they needed to book their place in the last eight.

But now they can look forward to joining their arch-rivals Germany on the first plane home from the Low Countries.

Keegan sprung a major surprise ahead of the game by handing a start in goal to Cornishman Nigel Martyn and the Leeds keeper was called into action after just three minutes.

Martyn, reckoned by many to be the best keeper in England, spectacularly flung himself to his left to claw Adrian Ilie's rapier-like free-kick to safety as Romania came out flying.

It was a save of the highest quality as Romania started the game brightest, although England appeared confident in defence needing just a point to book their ticket into the last eight.

Martin Keown in particular looked assured in the early stages as he marshalled the back line with aplomb.

England's first attack after 15 minutes resulted in a chance for Michael Owen but he could not keep his shot down under pressure from Iulian Filipescu. Then Sol Campbell was an ace away from connecting with David Beckham's free-kick as Keegan's men at last showed some initiative.

But they were hit by the ultimate sucker punch after 22 minutes when Chivu's cross-cum-shot drifted over a static defence and went into the net via the hapless Martyn's post.

England tried to fight back but their play was often wasteful and 12 minutes before the break, Ilie should have scored with a free header from Dan Petrescu's cross.

But with time, space and the freedom of the England penalty area, Ilie sent his header straight at a relieved ñ and exposed ñ Martyn.

Chivu was afforded space to blast a shot over the top a few seconds later.

And just when it seemed England's dream was turning into a nightmare, Shearer was the coolest man in the searing heat of Charleroi as he crashed home from the spot after Paul Ince had been fouled.

And then, deep in stoppage time, Owen sprung the offside trap to collect Paul Scholes' ball and round keeper Bogdan Stelea before rolling home.

If Shearer's cool-as-you-like spot kick handed England a fillip, Owen's goal lifted the spirits of the nation.

Scholes' clever through ball was just perfect for the quicksilver Liverpool striker to chase and even though there was the merest hint of offside, Owen didn't care a jot as he easily avoided the lame challenge of Stelea to score.

Quite how England were ahead at the break was a mystery in itself - but in any major tournament you need luck and England had certainly enjoyed their fair share.

That luck ran out three minutes after the interval when Martyn had a rush of blood, charged too far from his goal and tamely punched a cross only as far as Dorinel Munteanu ñ and he made no mistake from the edge of the box to make it 2-2.

England were under the cosh and Ilie had a half chance on the hour but was wasteful, while Petrescu tested Martyn from 30-yards..

Romania were the better side and England found themselves torn between chasing shadows and grim defending with Martyn making up for his earlier error as he got down quickly to keep Adrian Mutu's shot out.

Just when England appeared to have done enough, Neville gave away the penalty and Ganea blasted home to leave tears among the fans and heartbreak for the players.

In the third minute of stoppage time, a Beckham free-kick almost found Shearer ñ but the ball ran dead, mirroring England's hopes

Courtesia CBS Sportsline