What a performance by England yesterday, reminded me very much of our trouncing of Germany and the scoreline could; and probably should; have matched that famous night in Munich.
After a slightly nervy start, England soon settled into a good passing pattern, ensuring Croatia would struggle to retain possession and maintain a threat. One early shot which tested David James was the best it got for Croatia in the early exchanges.
England went ahead comparatively fortuitously as Ferdinand, fit after missing the game last weekend against Andora, strode forwards with the ball glued to his foot, beating at least one Croatian midfielder before releasing the ball to Rooney. Rooney slid a measured ball through the gap to Joe Cole, but the bass was intercepted and ran loose into the Croatian area, a muffed clearance saw the ball smack into a defender and the ball fall at Theo Walcott's feet, he steadied himself before firing home low in to the far corner, an excellent strike from the Arsenal youngster and only a cynical body check that shook the boy wonder had stopped him from motoring into the box as England launched a lightning counter attack, so a satisfying lead at half time for Capello's men.
Fabio, must surely have has less arm waving to do at half time than against Andorra.
The second half started well, Croatia seemed in determined mood to get back on level terms, but the England looked to have the measure of them and kept pouring forward catching Croatia on the break, Rooney was having one of his best games for many a year and Heskey was leading the line very well indeed.
It was Rooney's quick feet that saw him skip by Simunic; who having already been booked in the first half, was extremely fortunate to get away with staying on the pitch for his very blatant block on the Man Utd striker. Lampard's free kick was palmed away by an unsteady looking Croat Keeper.
Minutes later as we were still discussing why Simunic was still on the pitch when Kovac caught Joe Cole on the side of the head with more than accidental elbow, the England man staggered and fell to the ground clutching his head, before getting back to his feet before finally going to ground again, blood pouring from a nasty looking wound. The referee, perhaps finding it easier to make this decision in the middle of the pitch rather than the edge of the box moments earlier, produced a Red Card, 53 minutes gone and Croatia down to ten men. Joe Cole stretchered off to be replaced by Jermaine Jenas.
England immediately stamped home their authority on the game as Rooney fed the ball across to Walcott and he produced a carbon copy finish into the far corner. 2-0 England and looking comfortable.
Jenas took over the Joe Cole left wing spot and did excellently to get to the byline to cut back for Rooney to make it 3-0, it was wonderland, the Croats were a spent force.
Mandzukic was released with ten minutes to go after a suspiciously high foot appeared to catch Terry in the face, the referee played on and the Croatian substitute did well to slot the ball under James, 3-1.
The consolation goal did not dampen the England players' spirits and after a Lampard strike was chalked off by a slightly over zealous referee it was Walcott again to raised the roof.
Rooney's exquisite control, turn and slide rule ball released Walcott who steadied himself before side footing (left footed) past the downcast keeper, 4-1 to England and a hat trick for Walcott!!
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