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England substitute Michael Owen scored his first ever senior international goal here on Wednesday as they beat hosts Morocco 1-0 in the Hassan II football tournament.

Liverpool’s 18-year-old Owen found the net in the 59th minute of this opening match of the four-nation event. France face Belgium later on Wednesday. More than 90,000 fans roared the home side on but could not prevent England earning this win in a dour fixture. Steven McManaman was the creator after Sol Campbell had started the move by robbing Chiba on the edge of his own penalty area. He found McManaman, who broke down the left and at the second attempt managed to release Owen. Owen needed no second invitation as he moved past Hadrioui and then clinically fired the ball into the left-hand corner of the net.

Morocco tried to retaliate, with Chippo going close from the edge of the area, but England were then in control.

England coach Glenn Hoddle made nine changes from the side which started against Saudi Arabia at Wembley on Saturday, with Darren Anderton and Gareth Southgate the only survivors. As expected, Paul Gascoigne celebrated his 31st birthday by making his first start since England clinched their World Cup place against Italy in Rome seven months ago. In the first half, Owen gave Hoddle an injury scare when he was caught on the side of the head by Moroccan keeper Benzekri who cleanly cleared a long pass from Graeme Le Saux but then caught the Liverpool player in his follow through. It was a relief to the England coach when Owen was able to resume after a couple of minutes treatment.

Meanwhile England striker Ian Wright came off at half-time with a knee injury. Wright, one of the players on the fringe of Hoddle’s eventual 22, chased back to close down a defender but then pulled up suddenly in the 26th minute with the result that he was substituted by Owen. England started the second half in more convincing fashion with Le Saux twice involved in promising moves. The Chelsea full-back made a fine touchline run before being fouled and when he took the free-kick himself, Dion Dublin was only a foot too high with a header in what was England’s best chance to date. Le Saux then again darted forward and his pass released Owen. The Liverpool player went down in the area when challenged by Rossi but appeals for a penalty were waved away.

McManaman was starting to pose more of a consistent threat but England had a scare when Sol Campbell gave the ball away and the resulting 25-yard shot from Rachid Rokki was deflected inches over the bar. Soon after came Owen’s goal to settle the match.