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England swept away Andorra's challenge to stretch their lead at the top of their qualification table to ten points.
The victory left England, who so far have enjoyed a 100 per cent record in their qualification campaign, needing just four points from their remaining three games to be sure of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The English fans, who had to walk to Wembley Stadium following a strike by London Underground workers, had to put in more effort to get to the game than England's footballers who swept away the feeble challenge from Andorra with this 6-0 victory. The Andorrans seemed happy enough to defend in depth and avoid a thumping defeat than contribute anything to the game. England Grab Early LeadThe 57.000 fans who managed to make the the game the game despite the travel disruption did not have to wait long for something to cheer about as Manchester United star Wayne Rooney put England into the lead after only three minutes. Rooney met Glen Johnson's cross on the back post to head home. This game was expected to feature England attack after England attack as the Premier League millionaires, aided by a rare start from David Beckham who has been plying his trade in Italy's Serie A, faced a side featuring only full time player. England were enjoying 80 per cent of possession, but were finding it difficult to break down a side more interested in self preservation than providing enthralling football. The home side eventually grabbed their second goal of the night before the half hour as Frank Lampard followed up some sterling work by Johnson and Theo Walcott before burying his shot into the bottom corner. Ten minutes later it was 3-0 as Rooney volleyed home his second of the night. Frustration then Late GoalsDespite England's continued domination at the start of the second half, they must have wondered where there next goal was going to come from. The Andorrans frustrated he English attack for a full half hour after the break before they were hit by two goals in a minute. England's fourth goal of the night came once again courtesy of a Johnson cross which was planted into the net by Jermain Defoe's head. A minute later Defoe was on target again seizing on a spilled ball by Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Alvarez after Beckham had lashed in a freekick from 30 yards out. Defoe saw a chance to notch up his hat trick go begging as his shot was deflected, but the ball flew to Peter Crouch who poached England's sixth from close range.
The copyright of the article England FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in International Soccer is owned by Richard Button. Permission to republish England FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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