Walcott Grabs the Headlines for an England Finally Deserving of Accolades

After having a day to reflect on the victory and performance of England on Wednesday evening, it would be fair to suggest that the majority of fans initial reaction has been one of happy bemusement.

The team managed to play just like, well, a team and this was possibly the most pleasing sight to behold as the players worked their way into the game. After some initial nerves England gradually established a rhythm and some attacking potency with their passing and movement.

Ironically after what was to follow, Theo Walcott seemed to be the most affected by nerves as he got into good positions only to be let down by his touch or final ball. That can be excused for a player with still modest experience and someone who was still expected to be dropped in favour of Beckham as the game approached.

As it turned out this slightly shaky start by Walcott was promptly awarded by his and England's first goal. There was a large amount of luck due to some haphazard Croatian defending and a rebounded clearance, but these strokes of luck had similarly helped Croatia on their way to both victories during the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Either way Walcott showed how he has grown in confidence, as he has played more regularly at Arsenal, by angling a low drive into the far corner of Croatia's goal. The game then continued with England demanding more of the possession towards the end of the first half and Croatia looking less and less able to impose their own strenghs.

After establishing their superiority and stifling the Croatians in the first half, England set about Croatia with even more purpose as the second half commenced. Within minutes though Croatia were dealt a blow which they never recovered from and one which ruled Joe Cole out of the remainder of the game. The veteran defender Robert Kovac jumped with Joe Cole to challenge for a header, which he won robustly as replays seemed to suggest malicious intent on his part. The referee decided the challenge deserved a red card, particularly after seeing the extent of the gash across Joe Cole's head, and this appeared to spur England on to even greater heights as the Croatians wilted.

After only another six minutes Walcott was suddenly celebrating his second goal for England after some decisive and impressive interplay involving Emile Heskey and the creative Wayne Rooney. The finish was very similar to the first goal only far more assured and even better taken.

As quickly as England were 2-0 ahead they soon established a 3-0 lead which all but ended the contest, Jermaine Jenas (on for the poleaxed Joe Cole) rounded off some good perseverance on the left hand side of the penalty area to slot a low ball to Rooney off of the outside of his boot. The centre forward duly gobbled up the opportunity with a cool finish low to the keeper's left and claimed the goal his overall performance warranted on the night.

At this point England were on cruise control and many England fans were having to pinch themselves to believe the panache and ease with which England were playing against a team ranked as fifth best in the World. More goals did look possible and Frank Lampard, so often derided in the England shirt, was very unlucky not to earn a fine goal of his own after Heskey had been harshly adjudged to of fouled in the penalty area.

Despite this the Croatian fans were proud and loyal to their team and were awarded in a small sense by a breakaway goal from Mandzukic after England were caught pushing forward. Even so this probably should have been disallowed after a high challenge on John Terry, although in the grand scheme of things this was the most minor of setbacks. Indeed England found time to push on again and once more Wayne Rooney demonstrated what his overall value to the team can be when he truly performs for England. Collecting the ball just inside the Croatian half, he spotted a marauding Walcott and duly arrowed a diagonal ball to him. After the similarity of his first two goals Walcott now demonstrated how much confidence can do to players as he coolly placed the ball past Pletikosa with his left foot. The young Arsenal forward had amazingly completed a full international hat-trick in a game that may be seen in the future as the real beginning for Capello's England, and poignantly enough he was replaced by Beckham as if to demonstrate the changing of the guard.

This performance has ultimately shown how England can perform when they show endeavour and real purpose, even more importantly they revealed the qualities of a team that can work for each other. Players that have been treated to boos and harsh words responded in the best way possible by upping their game and this should be a template for the future. If Capello and his team can recreate nights like these they will have no reason to fear Wembley's atmosphere but rather something to look forward to.