Beckham leads England in World Cup qualifier

Brian McBride and Eddie Johnson scored to lead the United States over El Salvador 2-0 Saturday night and put the Americans in commanding position to advance to the final round of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.

McBride took a pass from Kerry Zavagnin on the left side in the 29th minute, cut past defender Victor Velasquez and beat goalkeeper Misael Alfaro to the far post for his 26th goal in 81 international appearances.

Johnson, playing his first game with the national team, replaced McBride in the 71st minute and scored four minutes later. DaMarcus Beasley slotted the ball to Landon Donovan, who got by defender Marvin Gonzalez and sent the ball across to Johnson, who kicked it into the open net with his left foot from 2 yards out.

The United States (2-0-2) leads Group A of the North and Central American and Caribbean region with eight points, three ahead of Jamaica and Panama (both 1-1-2), who played a 1-1 tie Saturday night in Panama City.

The Americans, who extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games, can clinch a berth in next year's six-nation regional finals with a victory Wednesday over Panama in Washington, D.C.

In other Cup action, David Beckham scored a spectacular goal on a curling 25-yard shot to lead England past Wales 2-0, but he wound up with a suspension and broken rib.

The England captain, who has not been playing well for Real Madrid in the Spanish league, picked up a yellow card — his second of the qualifying tournament, ruling him out of England's next game against Azerbaijan on Wednesday.

But he wouldn't have played anyway. Beckham was injured minutes after his 76th-minute goal when he was tackled by Wales defender Ben Thatcher. The English team initially said there was no break but a second X-ray revealed a hairline fracture. There was no immediate word on how long he will be out.

On a day when 38 qualifiers were played across the globe leading to the 2006 World Cup, the biggest upset came in Italy's 1-0 loss at Slovenia.

In South America, Luciano Figueroa scored two goals and Luis Gonzalez and Javier Zanetti added one each as Argentina beat Uruguay 4-2.

In the North and Central American and Caribbean region, Canada's struggles continued with a 1-1 tie in Honduras.

In Europe, the Czech Republic beat Romania 1-0 in Prague, stopping the Romanians' runaway start to the qualifying campaign. There also were victories for Sweden, Russia, Finland, Denmark, Slovenia and Slovakia.