Retiring hero Alan Shearer scored the goal that means the very most to any England fan as the skipper stooped to conquer Germany in the nerve-crunching Group A clash in Charleroi.

Shearer, who is to hang up his international boots at the end of Euro 2000, planted a vital header home after 53 minutes to revitalise England's hopes of a place in the last eight.

The win was so sweet for England as it was their first over their arch-rivals since the World Cup triumph of 1966.

Shearer's agile finish from a David Beckham free-kick was just reward for Kevin Keegan's men as they overcame a nervous start to start a huge party.

Only a save of the very highest quality from keeper Oliver Kahn had denied England the half-time lead as he sensationally clawed Michael Owen's 35th minute header onto a post and away as the Three Lions roared into life after an oh-so-slow start to their cliffhanger of a Charleroi clash.

Staring the prospect of elimination and the first flight home in the face, England appeared nervous in the opening exchanges and Germany had much more of the ball.

Neither side was prepared to give an inch and England chased and harried their rivals for all their worth, while Germany tried to play silky smooth football.

And they nearly paid the price for their over-ambition when they lost possession and Beckham hooked a dangerous cross into the area.

But veteran Lothar Matthaus was on hand to hoof the ball to safety.

Beckham – and the searing pace of Owen – appeared to be England's best way through but they couldn't create a clear-cut chance.

In fact, it took 18 minutes for the first serious goalmouth action to arrive and then David Seaman was equal to Dietmar Hamann's 30-yard shot.

And England were fortunate five minutes later when Mehmet Scholl mysteriously opted to shoot rather than pass to any of three better positioned colleagues as England's defence went AWOL.

As the half progressed both sides seemed scared to make a mistake and the standard of play – and crossing in particular – took a turn towards Sunday morning standard.

Germany still held control but were almost rocked after 35 minutes when Owen, with a rare header, was brilliantly denied by Kahn, the keeper being helped out by the post before the ball was hooked away.

That moment spurred England on and for a few moment they had Germany on the rocks and Paul Scholes was denied by Kahn.

Beckham and Jens Jeremies exchanged yellow cards before the break as the game started to heat up.

And eight minutes after the break, England's fans turned up the volume when Shearer edged Keegan's men towards ending their 34 years of German hurt.

Beckham's free-kick was flicked on by Owen and the skipper arched his neck at the back post to plant a firm header past Kahn for 1-0.

Within moments, Carsten Jancker wasted a great chance to equalise but he sent a shot over the top of David Seaman's goal.

And then Scholl screwed a shot wide when he should have done better.

Amazingly, Germany had another golden chance to level matters after 65 minutes when Seaman pulled off a fine point-blank save to deny Kirsten.

The ball fell to Jancker – but from eight yards he shot well wide.

England were under the cosh towards the end but Michael Ballack and Kirsten blasted shots wide to relieve the pressure as England, led superbly by Shearer, played for time.

And the whistle was greeted by a crescendo of noise from the massed ranks of England fans and delight from the men in red shirts.