Just as the start made by England against
Kazakhstan in the previous match was poor, the start against Andorra was
just what Fabio Capello would have wanted. Right from the first kick
England stroked the ball around Wembley's lush surface, keeping
possession, and continually probing for openings. In the first three
minutes they could have had three goals as the pace and sharpness of the
home side carved Andorra apart.
Wayne Rooney was brilliant on the night and
his turn and chip after just 30 seconds was worthy of a goal, but credit
Koldo, Andorra's veteran goalkeeper, for making an excellent tip over
save. Almost immediately Theo Walcott broke through after good work by
Glen Johnson and Koldo again made a good save, although the goalkeeper
was fortunate that the rebound was headed on to a post by a stretching
Rooney. The goalkeeper, making his last international appearance,
looked as though he was going to end on a high. But England were not to
be denied as in the fourth minute Johnson, who showed his best Pompey
form all evening, crossed perfectly to the far post where Rooney, who
else, guided his header down and under Koldo.
This was the start that all England fans
wanted but it would take quite a while for goal number two to arrive.
In between England totally dominated the possession and Robert Green was
in danger of rigor mortis setting in! Only one shot from Andorra all
through, which went over, and England kept pounding away at the
visitor's goal. David Beckham was revelling in the space and freedom he
was allowed, and he sprayed a great variety of passes, switching wings
with ease and bringing both full backs into play. The former England
captain, making his 100th start for the team looked as though
he was enjoying himself and if this was to be his swansong then he
couldn't have had a better stage. Unfortunately Ashley Cole's crossing
was not too good on the night and there were a few sloppy moments, which
was understandable against such poor opposition. However, the
confidence growing in this England side was there for all to see. John
Terry and Joleon Lescott spent much of the game winning the ball on the
half-way line, powering the ball forward relentlessly for the midfield
and forwards to chase. Further goals were inevitable.
Steven Gerrard was in a forceful mood and
Koldo did well to keep out one rasping shot. Another shot was deflected
over and several corners were won after desperate defending. Then in
the 29th minute England finally added a deserved second
goal. Again Johnson was the instigator with a brilliant pass to send
Walcott to the bye-line. This time the winger pulled the ball back and
in came Frank Lampard to ram home an unstoppable shot. It was no less
than England deserved and ten minutes later it was Johnson again who
provided another probing cross. Rooney anticipated superbly, darting in
front of a defender and volleying home spectacularly with his right
foot. Half-time, and 3-0 up, the manager must have been delighted.
At the break there was a parade of the
'other' lads from the 1966 World Cup squad, who earlier in the day had
picked up their own belated winners medals from the Prime Minister. The
crowd gave them warm applause. When interviewed, Jimmy Greaves
expressed his disdain at the performance of Andorra and claimed that the
veterans could have beaten them, even though they are now in their 60's
and 70's!
But nothing should distract from what was a
good performance by England on the night. There was some disappointment
that both Rooney and Gerrard were replaced at the interval but Ashley
Young and Jermaine Defoe were both lively replacements. In fact Defoe
looked hungry for goals, and in the end could have had a hat-trick
himself.
England should have had more goals in the
third quarter of the match but hurried finishing and some poor play kept
the scoreline at 3-0. Until, that is, the 73rd minute, when
Beckham took a corner to Johnson, who crossed for Defoe to score with an
excellent header. Three minutes later and it was 5-0, as Beckham's
trademark free kick was not held by the keeper, and Defoe was on to the
rebound like a flash to score. Andorra's defence was now under siege
and Capello would have been pleased with the clinical and ruthless
approach from the home players. Lampard saw a shot saved, Defoe again
went close and Crouch inadvertently blocked a goalbound shot from
Walcott.
Crouch had probably been England's least
effective player on the night and he missed two golden chances. But you
cannot fault the big man's record at this level and once again he scored
a goal for England when he toe-poked a close range shot in after
defenders and goalkeeper had dithered. That rounded off the thrashing
and sent the crowd home happy.
This was job done yet again and completed
England's excellent season. They are now in a wonderful position to
qualify for the World Cup in South Africa, needing just one more win
from their last three games. One last thing, the Wembley pitch played
superbly for this game and at last the groundstaff seem to have found
the answers.
England
Football Online
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England
Team
Andorra
Team
Source Notes