Football: Becks sees red against Argies; WORLD CUP 2006 WORLD CUP CLASSIC: Argentina v England, 2nd Rd, France '98.

Byline: By Bill Howell

GLENN Hoddle's ten men crashed out of France '98 on penalty kicks after an absolutely thrilling second round clash against their old enemy.

They fell victim to some cruel refereeing and had scored one of the truly great goals in the history of the tournament.

England had high hopes of doing well after reaching the semi final of Euro '96 and coming top of their qualification group which included Italy.

But despite wins over Tunisia and Colombia, England's 90th minute defeat to Romania in the group stages saw them finish runners-up.

And that meant they faced one of the favourites in the competition, Argentina, in the last 16.

Argentina had won all three of their group games without conceding a goal and things looked bleak for England when they got off to the worst possible start when goalkeeper David Seaman brought down Simeone in the box.

It was a debateable decision because although Simeone had broken free he had perhaps hit the ball too far in front of him towards the byline.

He fell over Seaman's outstretched arm and Gabriel Batistuta converted from the spot.

After ten minutes, however, England were level when Michael Owen went down in Argentina's box under challenge from Ayala and Alan Shearer calmly slotted home.

Six minutes later England were ahead with one of the great World Cup goals. Owen received a pass from David Beckham and took on the Argentinian defence single-handed. He beat Chamot and Ayala with ease before running diagonally to his right and firing high into the opposite top corner.

The lead lasted until moments before half time, when Lopez was fouled by Sol Campbell and, from the free-kick, Veron passed to Zanetti who scored.

Minutes after the break came an incident replayed on TV screens over and over again, and a moment which was perhaps the making of David Beckham.

Simeone and Beckham clashed after the Argentinian had fouled the young England midfielder. Then as Simeone stood over him and condescendingly ruffled his hair, Beckham flicked out with his foot. Simeone theatrically fell over and the referee, Kim Nielson, gave him a straight red card.

England defended admirably and after 81 minutes, Campbell put the ball in the back of the Argentinan net from a Darren Anderton corner - unfortunately it was disallowed for a debateable Shearer foul.

At the end of extra time it was still 2-2. In the penalty shoot-out Berti scored, Shearer equalised (1-1), Crespo missed, Ince missed, Veron scored (1-2), Merson scored (2-2), Gallardo scored (2-3), Owen scored (3-3), and Ayala scored (3-4).

David Batty had to score but missed and Argentina were through.

CAPTION(S):

ANGUISH... David Batty misses from the spot in the shoot-out against Argentina and England are out of the 1998 finals.' RED MIST... David Beckham is sent off.