Michael Owen wants to be known as one of the great strikers in world football and he believes that his magnificent goal against Brazil will help him in his quest.

Owen came through a physical battering from the No.1 team in the world and the demands of a tiring Wembley pitch to show Kevin Keegan that he and Alan Shearer are in the mood to spearhead England's challenge at Euro 2000.

Owen said: 'I just feel that the good old days are back again. I'll have a smile on my face now, getting a goal like that and coming through such an examination means so much.'

Owen has lived for almost two years off the wonderful goal he scored against Argentina in the World Cup Finals in France in 1998. He has never been able to produce another quite like it in nine subsequent internationals.

But at Wembley he showed again the devastating finishing that makes him so special. He said: 'I didn't really want my career to be remembered for just one significant strike. My ambition is to become one of the great scorers, a really top marksman.

'So to do that I know I have to continue to score, learn about the game, improve all parts of it. At 20, I still have time on my side to do those things.'

Owen's goal - which saw him wrong-foot three defenders inside the box before shooting low past Dida - was a little gem of its own and his celebration showed just what it meant to him.

'I can tell you just how I scored it, but I cannot explain what I did afterwards,' he said. 'It was such an unbelievable feeling to get a goal like that, against that kind of opposition.

'But it was not only that. I felt Alan and I worked well. I could have scored again and Alan might have had a couple. He played very well, this time it worked for us.

'I never doubted I would come through successfully, or that I was fully fit. I didn't have to convince myself but perhaps I had to prove it to the manager. The biggest encouragement of all is that it could have peaked at just the right time, and that also makes me feel good.'

Brazilian defender Silvinho said: 'He is a great player. He showed that by scoring that goal. It was the kind of strike you might say belonged to a star player.'

Owen was a constant threat to Brazil even though he had fewer opportunities in the second half. But he looked sharp, fit and hungry.

If he continues to play as well in Euro 2000, England will have more than a chance of seeking the glory which Keegan believes is his and the team's destiny.