All the talk was of the 1973 match against Poland, a game with a similar scenario, one which England lost 1-0 to a last-gasp winner. The 70,000 England fans sitting tensely in their expensive seats were praying that this wouldn't be a repeat.
Roy Hodgson, a manager who had come under heavy criticism in the past few months, picked an attacking line-up, with the young and exciting Andros Townsend on the wing, and the selection of a versatile front 3 of Rooney, Welbeck and Sturridge. The team lined up as follows: Hart, Walker, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines, Gerrard, Carrick, Townsend, Welbeck, Rooney, Sturridge. England were setting up to attack.
The first half began with an electric atmosphere: 20,000 Poland fans booing whenever and England player got on the ball, and a very fast tempo. There were chances at both ends, but the majority of them fell to England. Townsend hit a right footed shot, saved comfortably by Arsenal's Szczesny, before unleashing a beautiful, powerful strike with hit left which rattled the crossbar. Poland frequently counter-attacked well and one quick move from an England corner saw the revered Robert Lewandowski fire just wide of the mark.
Chances continued to fall for the home side: Jagielka nodded just wide, Sturridge had a shot well saved, Welbeck poked a sitter past the post and Szczesny again thwarted Rooney. Tension began to build; would this be another frustrating night where we fail to put away our chances?
The breakthrough came on 41 minutes, with the impressive Leighton Baines picking out Wayne Rooney with an exceptional cross, before the United striker rising to head home. Wembley erupted. England were ahead.
A nervy second half lay ahead, with the coming 45 minutes meaning the difference between a pass to the World Cup and the lottery of the play-offs. Hart made himself big well to deny Lewandowski a one-on-one goal, and England were dropping deeper and deeper. Though ball retention was declining, England still threatened the Polish goal, with efforts from Gerrard and Cahill off target, and Rooney and Welbeck well saved.
The midfield was reinforced with Lampard on for Carrick, Milner on for Townsend and Wilshere on for Sturridge, but England were still nervy. The game was in the balance. And then Gerrard struck.
Showing his true passion and desire, the England captain burst into the box and poked it past the keeper under a strong challenge. His celebrations were immense, and relief flooded through Wembley. England were through. We're going to Rio!
It was a good, solid performance by England, with the back four being relatively solid, the midfield two controlling possession well and the front four creating plenty of chances. Welbeck and Sturridge were wasteful, with Rooney, Gerrard and Baines being the stand out performers.
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| Rooney and Gerrard, the two goal-scorers, showing how much the win meant to them. |
ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS:
Hart: 7
Smalling: 6
Jagielka: 7
Cahill: 7
Baines: 7
Carrick: 7
Gerrard: 7
Townsend: 7
Welbeck: 6
Rooney: 8
Sturridge: 5
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