England are on their way to the World Cup

England crushed Croatia in a 5-1 goal-fest last night to reach next summer's World Cup finals.
And the style turned on by the Three Lions raised hopes they will roar in South Africa.

Delirious England fans celebrated at Wembley and in pubs across the land as John Terry's lads qualified for the finals with two games to spare - the first time they have ever achieved that feat. Supporters sang: "5-1, even Croatia scored" - a new version of the mickey-taking chant, "5-1, even Heskey scored". God Save The Queen also echoed around the North London stadium as the seconds ticked to the final whistle.

And bookies Ladbrokes immediately installed England as 6-1 third favourites to WIN the World Cup, behind only Brazil and Spain. Spokesman Nick Weinberg said the team had "come a long way" under manager Fabio Capello. He added: "If the side can emulate the heroes of 1966 it will go down as one of the darkest days in bookmaking history. We are already having sleepless nights over the class of 2010."

The qualification will also trigger a £1BILLION injection into our struggling economy.

The feelgood factor involved in England's participation is expected to make us forget our money worries - and throw caution to the wind as we treat ourselves to parties, booze, replica shirts and new TVs. Marauding midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard scored two goals each and Wayne Rooney added a fifth after a horrendous error by Croat keeper Vedran Runje. But Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon was voted Man of the Match.

Arsenal striker Eduardo scored a late consolation goal for Croatia.

Delighted Capello rated last night's performance as England's best under his management.

He said: "I'm happy because the performance was great. We played quick, fast, the movement on the ball, the movement off the ball. The first 20 minutes were fantastic."

England's Group 6 victory finally erased the humiliating memory of the home defeat by Croatia in 2007, which cost the Three Lions a place in Euro 2008.

Supporters waved flags as they filed out of Wembley. Many packed nearby pubs to begin celebrations into the night. Recruitment consultant Paul Blues, 35, of Nottingham, said: "I'm chuffed - we played well and deserved it. I follow England home and away and was heartbroken when we failed to qualify for the European championships.

"But this more than makes up for it. I can't wait to go to South Africa and cheer on the lads."

Chauffeur Michael Martin, 44, of Guildford, Surrey, said: "England were great, especially Lampard and Gerrard. I'm confident we can make our mark on the finals next year as we look a real force." Hapless data analyst Mark Woolley, 44, of Birmingham, had to watch the game in a North London boozer after forgetting his ticket.

But he still beamed: "England were fantastic and have been the whole campaign. We look to have a really strong side. I'm already looking forward to next summer." While the English toasted success, Scots wept into their whisky.

Scotland failed to qualify for the finals after losing 1-0 at home to Holland. Wales will not be there, either. They lost 3-1 to Russia in Cardiff.

(The Sun)



Scotland out

Football =

England's 30-man provisional squad for the World
Cup finals:

Keepers: Joe Hart
(Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert
Green (West Ham).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton),
Jamie Carragher (Liverpool),
Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Rio Ferdinand
(Manchester
United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry
(Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester
City), Michael Carrick
(Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (England), Tom
Huddlestone (Tottenham), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard
(Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Scott
Parker (West Ham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips
(Manchester
City).

Strikers: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter
Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain
Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester
United).

I took the piss out of this team yesterday, my guess is that they will move on to the final 16, but then it is the end for them...

Englands group also has the powerful footballing nations of USA, Algeria, and Slovenia....

Let us say that England wins group C, then they have to face the runner up of group D...

Group D is holding the big names like Germany, Serbia, Ghana, and hrmt... Australia...

Picture that..England VS Germany...

Remember, if England does not win, but is the runner up in the group, they will meet the winner of group D...

England VS Ghana
Engalnd VS Germany

So, who thinks England will get onwards after that???