Beckham's ankle collapsed under him on the greasy surface, before the injury was compounded by Sydney midfielder Brendon Santalab sliding into his legs.

The 80-000-strong crowd, here largely to see the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man in action, waited for around a minute before he limped back into action.

He finished the half strongly, scoring from a trademark free-kick from around 25 yards shortly before the break before playing out the full game.

Beckham later revealed he was worried he had re-injured the ankle which marred the end of his career with Spanish giants Real Madrid.

He said: "I was worried at first because I felt as if I'd twisted my ankle again and done the same thing injury I had on the last game of the season with Real Madrid," he said.

"It wasn't as bad - it just caught under the guy that slid in.

"It's all part of the game. It's fine."

Asked why he refused to leave the field, Beckham said: "I always try to stay on whether I'm injured or get kicked in games.

"It's part of the game and I'm quite a stubborn person and when I want to play and when I want to stay on there's not many people who can convince me to come off.

"I was happy to stay on the whole game. I wanted to play.

"So many fans turn out and they expect you to perform and to be out there for as much time as possible."

Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit admitted he briefly thought about replacing the former England captain but was glad he left him on.

"He didn't have any injury, he had a knock, that can happen," Gullit explained.

"But it was tempting (to take him off).

"I had a lot of difficulties with my own substitutions - I didn't have many players here - so he couldn't be (replaced).

"Also I had a feeling that he liked the game. It's an environment every player wants to play, 80,000 people."

"He knows also his responsibility to come here. He wanted to make that effort."

"He wants to win, he wants to perform."

Speaking of Beckham's performance, the former Newcastle and Chelsea coach said: "I am happy with the effort of David. He played really well."

"He scored a marvellous goal, so the crowd got what it wanted.

"I am very happy with his performance."

Galaxy fell 3-0 behind before Beckham and Edson Buddle pulled goals back to make it 3-2.

Further goals to Robbie Middleby and Iain Fyfe pushed Sydney ahead 5-2 before Landon Donovan scored a consolation goal for LA at the death.