Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard scored to send England to the World Cup finals with a 2-0 victory over Poland on Tuesday that gave them top spot in qualifying Group H on a thrilling and nervy night at Wembley.
Rooney’s 41st-minute breakthrough was brilliantly created and executed after a patient England build-up gathered pace when Leighton Baines crossed for the Manchester United striker, who nodded the ball down and wide of keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
The match was played on a knife-edge as anything other than a win would have consigned England to a potentially difficult two-legged playoff tie, with group rivals Ukraine cruising to an easy win over San Marino.
But midfielder Gerrard sparked English celebrations in the 88th minute when he burst into the area, cut inside and poked the ball past Szczesny.
England, unbeaten in their qualifying campaign, finish top of the section with 22 points, with Ukraine, who go into the playoffs, second on 21.
‘They had a couple of breaks but we played some great stuff, especially in the first half, and getting that goal gave us the belief and confidence we could go and win it,’ Rooney told ITV.
‘It was the same as the Montenegro game (on Friday) - a big part of our preparation was to be patient, and we fully deserved to win.
‘We’ve always remained positive and had a belief about ourselves and we’ve gone out and shown tonight we are a good team. We have some fantastic young players in the team and some experience with Steve, Frank (Lampard) and myself, so it’s a good blend.’
Gerrard was equally pleased but also sounded a note of caution. ‘We started really well but the big lesson from tonight, in the second half, is that we have to play better against better teams,’ he said.
‘But we showed that when it gets tough we don’t concede goals. We know there’s a great togetherness in the squad, we fight for each other and, under tremendous pressure, we’ve shown we can perform.’
Schuerrle treble helps Germany beat Sweden 5-3
Stockholm: Andre Schuerrle grabbed a second half hat-trick as Germany fought back from 2-0 down to sink Sweden 5-3 in a thrilling World Cup Group C goal fest on Tuesday.
Nothing much was on the game because group leaders Germany had already secured automatic qualification for the 2014 finals in Brazil and second-placed Sweden were certain to progress to next month’s playoffs.
Spain ease into World Cup with Georgia win
Albacete: World champions Spain ensured they will get the chance to defend their crown at the World Cup in Brazil next year with a 2-0 win over Georgia on Tuesday. Needing just a point to advance, Alvaro Negredo settled any nerves with his fourth goal in five internationals this season midway through the first-half.
And substitute Juan Mata sealed the three points with virtually his first touch of the ball 15 minutes after the interval.
Uruguay, France, Portugal in play offs despite win
Montevideo: Two-time champions Uruguay served up a thrilling 3-2 win over Argentina on Tuesday but must beat Jordan in next month’s intercontinental playoff if they are to reach the World Cup finals.
Portugal beat 10-man Luxembourg 3-0 in their final Group F qualifier in Coimbra on Tuesday and will play in play-offs next month.
A stunning strike from Franck Ribery, a Joona Toivio own goal and a late volley from Karim Benzema ensured France finished their World Cup qualifying Group I campaign with a 3-0 win over Finland.
Honduras qualified for the 2014 World Cup finals after a 2-2 draw against Jamaica. They clinched the last of the automatic qualifying spots, while Mexico stayed in contention by claiming the playoff spot despite a loss, after Panama suffered a heartbreaking 2-3 loss to the United States.
Rooney’s 41st-minute breakthrough was brilliantly created and executed after a patient England build-up gathered pace when Leighton Baines crossed for the Manchester United striker, who nodded the ball down and wide of keeper Wojciech Szczesny.
The match was played on a knife-edge as anything other than a win would have consigned England to a potentially difficult two-legged playoff tie, with group rivals Ukraine cruising to an easy win over San Marino.
But midfielder Gerrard sparked English celebrations in the 88th minute when he burst into the area, cut inside and poked the ball past Szczesny.
England, unbeaten in their qualifying campaign, finish top of the section with 22 points, with Ukraine, who go into the playoffs, second on 21.
‘They had a couple of breaks but we played some great stuff, especially in the first half, and getting that goal gave us the belief and confidence we could go and win it,’ Rooney told ITV.
‘It was the same as the Montenegro game (on Friday) - a big part of our preparation was to be patient, and we fully deserved to win.
‘We’ve always remained positive and had a belief about ourselves and we’ve gone out and shown tonight we are a good team. We have some fantastic young players in the team and some experience with Steve, Frank (Lampard) and myself, so it’s a good blend.’
Gerrard was equally pleased but also sounded a note of caution. ‘We started really well but the big lesson from tonight, in the second half, is that we have to play better against better teams,’ he said.
‘But we showed that when it gets tough we don’t concede goals. We know there’s a great togetherness in the squad, we fight for each other and, under tremendous pressure, we’ve shown we can perform.’
Schuerrle treble helps Germany beat Sweden 5-3
Stockholm: Andre Schuerrle grabbed a second half hat-trick as Germany fought back from 2-0 down to sink Sweden 5-3 in a thrilling World Cup Group C goal fest on Tuesday.
Nothing much was on the game because group leaders Germany had already secured automatic qualification for the 2014 finals in Brazil and second-placed Sweden were certain to progress to next month’s playoffs.
Spain ease into World Cup with Georgia win
Albacete: World champions Spain ensured they will get the chance to defend their crown at the World Cup in Brazil next year with a 2-0 win over Georgia on Tuesday. Needing just a point to advance, Alvaro Negredo settled any nerves with his fourth goal in five internationals this season midway through the first-half.
And substitute Juan Mata sealed the three points with virtually his first touch of the ball 15 minutes after the interval.
Uruguay, France, Portugal in play offs despite win
Montevideo: Two-time champions Uruguay served up a thrilling 3-2 win over Argentina on Tuesday but must beat Jordan in next month’s intercontinental playoff if they are to reach the World Cup finals.
Portugal beat 10-man Luxembourg 3-0 in their final Group F qualifier in Coimbra on Tuesday and will play in play-offs next month.
A stunning strike from Franck Ribery, a Joona Toivio own goal and a late volley from Karim Benzema ensured France finished their World Cup qualifying Group I campaign with a 3-0 win over Finland.
Honduras qualified for the 2014 World Cup finals after a 2-2 draw against Jamaica. They clinched the last of the automatic qualifying spots, while Mexico stayed in contention by claiming the playoff spot despite a loss, after Panama suffered a heartbreaking 2-3 loss to the United States.