England fly into World Cup in style

Their disappointing failure to qualify for Euro 2008 behind them, England exacted their revenge on Croatia in style on Wednesday with a 5-1 triumph at Wembley Stadium that saw Fabio Capello’s men book a berth in the World Cup as winners of UEFA Group 6.

England went in front after just seven minutes when Frank Lampard converted from the spot after Aaron Lennon was hauled down by Josip Simunic, and Steven Gerrard made it 2-0 to the home side 10 minutes later when Lennon provided the service for the Liverpool skipper’s header.

Lampard notched a second goal on the hour mark when he headed a wonder cross by Glen Johnson into the Croatia net to make it 3-0, and Gerrard completed his brace in the 67th minute with another header after Wayne Rooney’s floated cross.

Eduardo managed to pull back a consolation in the 72nd minute for Croatia, but England’s triumph would be complete six minutes later as Rooney capitalized on a gross defensive error by goalkeeper Vedran Runje.