Beckham gives England boost with two goals
TALLINN, Estonia – David Beckham revived England’s chances of advancing to next year’s European Championship, then said he’s ready to commute from California for next June’s tournament.
In his first competitive match for England since last summer’s World Cup, Beckham set up two goals with crosses in a 3-0 victory over Estonia in a qualifier on Wednesday night.
“I will definitely be at the Euros,” he said. “I believe I can carry on playing for a long time. The L.A. Galaxy will do everything possible to help me keep playing for my country.”
Beckham fed Peter Crouch in the 54th minute and Michael Owen in the 62nd. Joe Cole had put England ahead in the 37th minute when he beat goalkeeper Mart Poom with a spin and volley from the edge of the penalty area.
Chants of “There’s only one David Beckham” reverberated around Tallinn’s 10,000-capacity A Le Coq Arena.
“Beckham is a very good player and deserves to be in the team,” said England coach Steve McClaren, who dropped Beckham from the roster when he replaced Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup.
The 32-year-old midfielder leaves Spain’s Real Madrid at the end of the month to join Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy. England is off until an Aug. 22 exhibition against Germany, then plays five Euro qualifiers starting Sept. 8. Under FIFA rules, the Galaxy are required to release Beckham for those games if England selects him.
“I would love to be in the next squad,” Beckham said. “Steve has made it clear that if I am performing and playing as I have been then I will be in the squad.”
Beckham, England’s captain under Eriksson, has made 96 appearances for his country.
Beckham, who returned to England’s national team for last week’s 1-1 exhibition tie against Brazil, had a free kick in the fifth minute that just missed, then struggled after turning his left ankle early in the match.
“Becks was brilliant the other night, and he was brilliant today,” Cole said. “You know what you’re going to get from David Beckham.”