SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON is set to pit his wits against his World Cup adversary, 'Big Phil' Scolari, in Thursday's Euro 2004 quarter-final clash - with Wayne Rooney as the trump card now up his sleeve.

Since their last-eight meeting at the 2002 World Cup, when Scolari's Brazil side prevailed in Shizuoka, he has moved on to take charge of Portugal.

And quite apart from the talents of Luis Figo, Deco and Costinha, Scolari has exciting Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo at his disposal.

However, Eriksson has perhaps the brightest young talent in European football.

And if anyone doubted just how good Rooney really is, that scepticism was surely dispelled once and for all last night.

Eriksson is hardly prone to exaggeration but after seeing how his young striker had just fired his team into the Euro 2004 quarter-finals, even he was in raptures.

In a 4-2 victory against Croatia, Rooney had just scored twice for the second game in succession, leaving him as Euro 2004's leading goalscorer at the age of just 18.

When asked if there was any other young player who had similarly captivated a tournament, Eriksson admitted: "There was Pele in 1958 in Sweden but I don't remember anybody at 18 years since then.

"He is not just a goalscorer, he is a complete footballer and I'm happy to have him in the England team.

"He deserves all the attention and all the front page headlines. I sometimes feel I shouldn't say too much, but he has been absolutely incredible."

Then again, it was understandable how even Eriksson had been swept along on the tide of excitement now surrounding his bustling forward, who plays without nerves or fear.

For it is his all-round game which is at the root of the optimism which will surround Eriksson's rematch with Scolari.

But the coach needs not only Rooney to be at his inspirational best on Thursday, but also for his two normally key players, Michael Owen and David Beckham, to start firing on all cylinders.

Beckham's workrate certainly could not be faulted against Croatia, but he was still England's least impressive midfielder and offered little attacking or creative threat.

Owen, however, had a much brighter game than against France or Switzerland and while his goal threat is still weakened, the signs are at least encouraging.