Three Lions roars while Spice Girls slip

Lion's share: The lads are on top of the charts

Three Lions, an unofficial anthem for England's World Cup bid, has beaten the Spice Girls' official song and topped the charts a day before the team's opening match.

The song by comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner and the pop group the Lightning Seeds beat England's official France 98 song, On Top of the World, which slipped to number 19 in the weekly hit parade.

It also pipped another unofficial number, Vindaloo (We're Gonna Score One More Than You).

Pipped to the post: Fat Les singer Keith Allen

With its rousing chorus and stirring sentiments, Three Lions served as the backdrop to the Euro 96 tournament for many England fans.

The song was re-worked for the World Cup, with updated lyrics.

It edged one place in front of Vindaloo by Fat Les, which features actor Keith Allen and Blur's Alex James.

The English Football Association had set its stamp of approval on On Top of the World, by the Spice Girls and Ian McCulloch.

On the slide: The Spice Girls

However, it slipped from ninth position to number 19, falling behind Scotland's World Cup song, Don't Come Home Too Soon, by Del Amitri, which settled at 16.

According to publicist James Herring, Three Lions sold 238,000 copies in its first week in the charts, 57,000 more than Vindaloo.

In a dig at his official rival, David Baddiel said: "How does it feel to be number one? On top of the world."