ENGLAND ADVANCES TO 2014 WORLD CUP

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: ENGLAND 2 - POLAND 0

Wayne Rooney scored his scored his ninth goal in 10 games to place England on the right direction to World Cup 2014, and Steven Gerrard added a second to send a warning to other qualified nation how dangerous the Three Lions can be in Brazil. 

It was a breathless and at times nerve-jangling confrontation with Poland at Wembley. Though, England finally got a relief when Rooney scored from Leighton Baines' cross four minutes before the break. There were more than 20,000 strong Polish supporter in the stadium to make the home team feel a little nervous.

England were then spurning a succession of chances. It took a captain's intervention from Gerrard two minutes from time to ensure England will take their place on the greatest stage next summer. Manager Roy Hodgson leapt to the air in jubilation, becoming only the sixth Englishman to take his country into a World Cup finals.

Source: Man Utd

ROONEY, TOWNSEND, SHINE IN ENGLAND'S WIN

Andros Townsend rewarded the faith of boss Roy Hodgson by scoring to help the Three Lions to a deserving 4-1 victory over Montenegro that leaves them just one more win away from booking their place in Brazil.

England opened the scoring in the 48th minute as Wayne Rooney finishes from close range after Poleksic's excellent stop from Danny Welbeck. Rooney stuck out a leg, brought the ball under control and from a central position calmly slotted it in.

The Three Lions got another goal in the 62nd minutes from comical own-goal from Boskovic as he puts Welbeck's cross past his own keeper. Sturridge's back-heel released Welbeck, whose cross was dangerous only for Boskovic, who, from 12 yards, somehow found the bottom corner when he was attempting to clear.

Montenegro pulled back with a goal 10 minutes later. Damjanovic sticks out a boot to meet Fatos Beciraj's shot, sending it past Joe Hart. Hodgson looked a little worried as he sat on the bench, chewing at his nails.

Handed his debut on the most tense of occasions, Townsend played with a freedom no one else could match. In the 78th minute, Townsend runs from just inside the Montenegro half, beating several men before hammering a low shot past Poleksic. A stunning goal in a brilliant debut.

As the game looked certain for another England victory, Ivan Kecojevic hacks down Sturridge in the box to give England another opportunity in the injury time. Sturridge insists on taking it himself and makes no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way and rolling the ball home.

After the match, England will now need to beat Poland to get through to World Cup 2014. If they fail, they have to face the play-offs.

Source: Man Utd

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