The goalless stalemate between Belarus and Ukraine left England needing only a draw to confirm their place in South Africa - but they emphasised their progress under coach Fabio Capello with an outstanding display to record an eighth successive win of a flawless qualifying campaign.Croatia ended England's hopes of reaching Euro 2008 under Capello's predecessor Steve McClaren by winning at Wembley, but there was never any chance of a repeat in an encounter that was totally one-sided from the opening exchanges.
England have taken huge strides forward under Capello since that rain-soaked night in November 2007 and the end of the McClaren reign, while Croatia are a pale shadow of the side Slaven Bilic brought to Wembley for their previous visit. And the gulf in class between the two teams was immediately obvious - even taking into account the absence of Croatia's gifted playmaker Luka Modric.
And if England needed any further boost to the optimism that will travel with them to South Africa, the manner and scale of this victory will provide it.
England have scored 31 goals and conceded only five in a qualifying campaign that has done much to erase the bitter memories of the failure to reach Euro 2008. A group that was initially regarded as potentially dangerous has been expertly and convincingly negotiated, with barely any hazards to block England's smooth progress.
Capello has rebuilt the confidence and morale of a squad shattered after that experience, and while qualification for South Africa is only the first phase of the Italian's mission, England will go to the World Cup with serious aspirations of making a major impact. (BBC Sport)
