On this day, the 18-year-old teenager who etched his name into World Cup folklore and became an England legend

The World Cup is the perfect platform to make a name for yourself, and over the years the tournament has seen many famous names make their mark on the finals and create moments that live long in the memory. 

When it comes to England, arguably no player used the finals as a way of announcing themselves on the global stage more than Michael Owen at France '98.  

Owen had only made his Three Lions debut in the February before the tournament, having broken through into the Liverpool first-team and quickly become a sensation at Anfield. 

The clamour for him to be part of Glenn Hoddle's World Cup was strong, and the England boss obliged, but was cautious with the teenage prodigy, leaving him on the bench for the side's two opening games. 

However, following a goal-scoring cameo against Romania, Owen was unleashed from the start in the last 16 match against Argentina, and he would produce one of the greatest moments in England's World Cup history. 

The fearless teen picked up the ball on the halfway line, ran through the experienced Argentine defence and smashed the ball into the top corner. It left the South American stunned, but it was the moment England's 'boy wonder' etched his name into World Cup folklore, as the young superstar felt what it was like to score at World Cup finals. 
 

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Michael Owen scores a wonder goal at France 98 

England striker stuns South Americans in last 16 epic 

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"It was magical," Owen exclusively told DAZN News about the moment, thanks to Ignition Australia . 

"I mean, you grow up, you grow up wanting to be a professional footballer and then you get a taste of it and you break through into your respective club and then you want to obviously be one of the best players in your club and be important and that happens.

"And then England come calling, and you make your debut, and it's just what an honour and then you start looking to bigger and better and then you think, wow, you know, could I play in a World Cup and then could I star in a World Cup?

"Could  I score in a World Cup? So, yeah, I mean, it's what you dream of, isn't it? Like growing up and taking in Italia 90, watching England play, starry-eyed, open mouth, just like, oh, my God, Gazza. Oh, my God, Gary Lineker.

"They were my heroes. I just wanted to emulate it. So, it's obviously pretty cool when you do do it."

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