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England fans soak up a famous victory, leaving Germany to lick its wounds

Mark Burton
Monday 03 September 2001 00:00 BST
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While German football fans were left crying into their beer, England supporters celebrated the remarkable 5-1 victory in Saturday night's World Cup qualifying match in Munich, still feeling a sense of disbelief.

Founded on Michael Owen's first hat-trick in international football, the victory boosts England's chances of qualifying for next year's finals in South Korea and Japan, while Germany have to worry about going through a play-off.

And worry they will – German confidence is in tatters. Their goalkeeper and captain, Oliver Kahn, said: "It is the worst thing that has happened to me as a player. I'm not ashamed to lose to England but to lose like that on home soil will leave scars for life."

There were fewer confrontations than expected between the rival groups of fans. Since Friday, 47 fans were arrested, including 35 Britons.

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