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England national football team
World Cup | Qualifiers
Oct 15, 2013 at 8pm UK
 
Poland national football team

2-0

Rooney (41'), Gerrard (88')
FT(HT: 1-0)

England qualify for World Cup

England beat Poland 2-0 to qualify for next year's World Cup finals in Brazil.

England have booked their place in next year's World Cup finals after beating Poland 2-0 in a crucial victory at Wembley tonight.

Steven Gerrard wheels away in celebration after scoring the second goal at Wembley against Poland to secure England's place in the 2014 World Cup on October 15, 2013© Getty Images

England started strongly and Andros Townsend saw his powerful low effort saved by Wojciech Szczesny, before Waldemar Sobota wasted a great chance for the hosts when he fired wide when well placed.

Robert Lewandowski was next to threaten for the visitors but pulled his effort wide with just Joe Hart to beat.

Andros Townsend nearly gave England the lead midway through the half when he saw his fierce effort from long range come back off the bar, and from the rebound Daniel Sturridge saw his strike saved by the keeper.

Danny Welbeck should have scored soon after but fired his shot wide from close range following a corner.

England finally took the lead in the 41st minute through Wayne Rooney, who headed home Leighton Baines's cross from the left.

Wayne Rooney of England scores his team's opening goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifying Group H match between England and Poland at Wembley Stadium on October 15, 2013© Getty Images

The home side started the second half strongly and Gary Cahill was denied by Szczesny who saved his header following a corner.

Lewandowski had another great opportunity to score for the away side after getting in behind the England defence, but Hart rushed out quickly to stop him getting a clear effort on goal.

Rooney had a chance to score his second of the night from a curling strike but Szczesny was equal to his attempt, before the keeper did well to beat away a fierce shot from Sturridge.

England made the game safe two minutes from the end through Steven Gerrard, who burst through the Polish defence and finished well past Szczesny to seal England's spot at the World Cup finals in Brazil next summer.

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England's Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring against Poland on October 15, 2013
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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