Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell capped an impressive international debut by scoring a stunning equaliser for England in their 1-1 friendly draw with the Netherlands tonight.
After a cautious opening period, the Dutch went ahead in the 26th minute when Patrick Kluivert seized on a Ruud van Nistelrooy knock-down and saw his 15 metre snap shot deflected past goalkeeper Nigel Martyn by the outstretched leg of Arsenal defender Sol Campbell.
England, who gave debuts to three players, were on top for most of the second half and got their reward in the 61st minute when David Beckham swung in a tempting cross from the right and 21-year-old Vassell sent a spectacular shoulder high scissor kick flying past Edwin Van Der Sar.
Bologna striker Julio Cruz scored a face-saving equaliser as World Cup favourites Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by a battling Wales in a friendly at the Millennium stadium.
Wales went in front in the 34th minute when Ryan Giggs took a corner from the right and Craig Bellamy rose at the far post to direct a perfect header past the previously untested Sebastian Saja, who was earning his first cap in goal.
It was the Newcastle United forward's fourth goal in 16 internationals.
Just past the hour, Cruz scored his second goal in 13 Argentina outings with a low shot from the right that went inside the far bottom corner of substitute keeper Mark Crossley's net from a ball by Juan Sebastian Veron.
In other games tonight World Champions France beat Romania 2-1, Germany thrashed Israel 7-1, Northern Ireland went down 4-1 to Poland and Italy beat the USA 1-0.
