Substitute Michael Owen became the youngest player ever to score for England when the 18-year-old claimed the only goal against Morocco in Casablanca.

Owen used his electrifying pace to latch on to Steve McManaman's pass before calmly slotting the ball past the advancing keeper.

The lead flattered England, but once ahead, Glenn Hoddle's men began to dominate.

The teams went in goalless at half-time after an uninspired first 45 minutes, with Arsenal striker Ian Wright forced off with a minor hamstring strain after only 23 minutes.

England coach Glenn Hoddle faced another injury scare when Wright's replacement Owen needed lengthy treatment after colliding with goalkeeper Driss Benezerki after 27 minutes. The Liverpool striker was attempting to latch on to Graeme Le Saux's through ball.

The game sprung to life in the second half as both teams raised the tempo.

Owen went down under challenge in the box but appeals for a penalty were ignored by the referee. But the Liverpool striker was not to be denied as minutes later he gave England the lead with a calm finish which belied his tender years.

Les Ferdinand came on for Dion Dublin with 12 minutes remaining but was unable to make any impact.

England finished the game playing confident possession football as they secured a hard fought victory.

A crowd of around 80,000 paid the equivalent of £1 to watch the friendly which was a vital part of both team's World Cup preparations. They witnessed the match get off to a bizarre opening when the music for the English national anthem went missing. England captain Paul Ince, who passed a late fitness test, led the players in a stirring rendition of the anthem without musical accompaniment.

England had began sluggishly with Paul Gascoigne in particular guilty of being caught in possession. Morocco threatened several times in the opening 10 minutes, before England's back three of Campbell, Southgate and Keown asserted themselves.

Hoddle had hoped that Gascoigne would control the game from midfield, but the Middlesbrough midfielder found it hard keep up with the pace of the match. He finished the match more strongly but shot tamely wide when presented with a golden opportunity in the dying minutes.

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