Aghahowa struggled for chances all day long

By Damian Spellman, PA Sport

England never expected anything less than a battle for the point they needed against Nigeria, and they certainly got it.

For 20 minutes, Adegboye Onigbinde's side threatened to make their task even more difficult, but Sven-Goran Eriksson's side rallied to ensure that they will be taking part in the knock-out phase of the competition.

Denmark await England in the last 16 after Sweden clinched top spot on goals scored following their 1-1 draw with homeward-bound Argentina, and they will prepare for Saturday's game reflecting on a job well, if not spectacularly, done.

STARS

Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the England defence was again outstanding in the oppressive heat and humidity of Osaka, reading the game superbly to keep dangerman Julius Aghahowa in particular quiet.

Behind him, David Seaman swept his box superbly to deny the Nigerian strikers the chance to exploit the space in front of him and produced good saves from Jay Jay Okocha and Benedict Akwuegbu to preserve his clean sheet.

For Nigeria, playmaker Okocha was at the hub of his side's accomplished display, picking the ball up in deep positions and spraying it about with accuracy to keep his side in the running throughout.

DEFENCE

Ferdinand was well supported by Sol Campbell as the back gelled worked well as a unit, with both Ashley Cole and Danny Mills working hard to combat the pace of Ifeanyi Udeze, Femi Opabunmi and Akweuegbu in wide positions.

It was not until the second half that the full-backs managed to make an impact going forward, but Mills in particular again showed that he is making huge strides along his international learning curve.

The Nigerian back four, well marshalled by Joseph Yobo and Isaac Okoronkwo, gave England little space, but they were indebted to teenage goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama who despite exhibiting the odd eccentricity, made a stunning first half save from Paul Scholes.

MIDFIELD

Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes again worked desperately hard on a blistering afternoon when energy conservation was a major concern.

Both men managed to get forward and Scholes was unlucky to see his 44th-minute piledriver tipped on to the woodwork by Enyeama.

Trevor Sinclair too worked well down the left, where he established an encouraging partnership with Cole, but skipper David Beckham showed only flashes of his ability and was disappointing from his trademark set pieces.

All four England men had a chance to lock horns with the impressive Okocha as he floated around the pitch and conducted a string-pulling master-class.

ATTACK

Neither frontline was ever afforded the time or space to make a major impression as Michael Owen and Emile Heskey, who almost combined to good effect on 59 minutes, and Aghahowa and Akwuegbu, found chances few and far between.

Substitute Teddy Sheringham could have won it 14 minutes from time but skied his shot after Cole's cross flicked off Owen, but equally Akwuegbu could have claimed all three points for the Nigerians but for Seaman.