That is a startling collection for any 18-year-old, but just as striking is the fact that Owen's have been all been won in the white heat of the one of the most tumultuous, emotional and turbulent years in the history of the national team

And now, just 14 weeks since he scored one of his country's best goals against Argentina in the World Cup, he is learning the final, most important lesson of his instant education in life at the top

As soon as you get there, someone, somewhere, will want to knock you down again

Liverpool striker Owen, the boy with the handsome, cherubic grin and a hunger for goals, seems assured of his place in the hearts of the nation's soccer fans

But even he is not escaping completely from the blaze of criticism and analysis that is raging around coach Glenn Hoddle and his team in the wake of the dismal start to the European Championship

Owen has not scored for two whole matches now and questions are being raised about his ability to form as effective a partnership with Alan Shearer, as did Teddy Sheringham not so long ago

Owen, smart, shrewd and blessed with a no-nonsense view of big-time football's realities, sees it all as a part of learning the ropes

He said: "I don't think I've had a nightmare in international football, as a lot of people are suggesting

"People have got to be sensible and know that I'm not going to be scoring goals like the one against Argentina every week. You could say I've been through quite a bit already

"I've got 11 caps now, but it seems a bit weird to say that I've been through everything

"Yet I've played in a World Cup, I got a lot of experience there, and then I experienced England being knocked out as well. I think my attitude is still the same, though. The type of person you are is not going to change

"I'm sure there is a lot for me still to pick up

"It's a totally different game at international level and I'm in the learning process, as a lot of people are. But it is a game I feel I can adapt to

"Yet it takes time to work on partnerships like the one between myself and Alan

"And I think Saturday's match was an improvement on Sweden. We got a bit more of the ball

"We could still do with a bit more of it, and a bit more movement

"And if people get the time and space to play a ball to you, they will. It's just that its been particularly tight in midfield in the last two matches

"At Wembley on Saturday it was tough because they man-to-man marked me

"But I managed to lose my man and get a couple of shooting opportunities in the first half

"I've been man-marked before, right from when I played for the England youth team. But the Bulgarians were really good at it, so it's an important stepping stone for me." Owen will surely benefit against the no-hopers of Luxembourg from the return in midfield of David Beckham, the man whose pass set up that goal against Argentina

Owen said: "Jamie Redknapp is suspended, so it could be that David Beckham coming back will be a bonus. Anyone coming back is a boost

"He's been scoring goals very well for Manchester United, as well as creating them, so he could be back in a big way." The fearsome chorus of boos which greeted the final whistle at Wembley will surely have formed an important part of young Owen's education in the game, too

The players insist they are ready to pick themselves up

Owen does it with the combined strength of his natural steeliness, plus the optimism of youth. He said: " It was obvious to see that the crowd weren't happy on Saturday

"I don't know who it was directed at. But the players were partly to blame for the poor performance

"I can't see why virtually every bit of the blame is heaped on the manager, when it's the players who step out on to the pitch

"Now we have a very big game on Wednesday and we have to be positive." Of course, no player is ever immune from the chop, especially from a struggling team

Owen said: "If the manager ever drops you, you'd be disappointed

"It would then be up to you as an individual to try to win back your place

"At the World Cup, Alan and Teddy started. Then people were saying that should be broken up

"Then it was all fine again. Now myself and Alan are together, and people are saying other players should come back in

"That is what its all about. If you're winning, everything is fine

"If you lose, people look at it and want to change it."