Walcott claims matchball as England end Croatian unbeaten run
Theo Walcott scored a stunning hat-trick for England as they produced a remarkable performance to beat Croatia 4-1 and go top of their World Cup qualifying group. Wayne Rooney also scored as England became the first team ever to beat the hosts in a competitive match in Zagreb.
The result leaves England comfortably top of Group 6 with six points from two games, having already beaten Andorra in their opening fixture – and leaves them as strong favourites to reach the World Cup Finals in South Africa in 2010.
Croatia did have defender Robert Kovac sent off for a 51st minute challenge on Joe Cole that left the Chelsea man with a terrible head wound.
Scotland skipper Steve McManus got an unwanted card on his birthday when he was shown one of the red variety against Iceland tonight. The Scots still managed to hold out to win 2-1 to register their first win of the campaign. Goals for Kirk Broadfoot on his debut and James McFadyen, who scored the rebound after seeing his penalty saved.
Wales went down 2-1 in Russia. New Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko scored for Russia. Gareth Bale missing a penalty when it was 0-0. After Croatia’s defeat Russia now hold the record for consecutive victories at home in competitive matches, 27. The all-time record belongs to Russia and the former Soviet Union who remained unbeaten in 68 home qualification matches between 1957 and 1998.
Steve Evans created a piece of post-war history when he replaced Edwards in the 77th minute, with the Wrexham defender becoming the first Non League player to represent Wales for 78 years.
The Republic of Ireland could only get a goalless draw in Montenegro while rivals Italy won 2-0 against Georgia with Daniele De Rossis scoring both.
Northern Ireland held the Czech Republic to a goalless draw at Windsor Park.
A Miroslav Klose hat-trick saved Germany from a shock defeat at the hands of Finland. Klose equalised in the 83rd minute to give Germany the draw in a six-goal thriller.
David Villa scored a brace as Spain beat Armenia 4-0, while in the same group Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Estonia 7-0. Turkey and Belgium drew 1-1
Denmark scored two in the last two minutes to beat Portugal 3-2 in Portugal in Group one. Sweden beat Hungary 2-1 and Albania beat Malta 3-0.
In Group two Alphonse Leweck will be a national hero after scoring with four minutes to go to give Luxembourg a 2-1 win over Switzerland in Switzerland,
Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka scored for France as they beat Serbia 2-1. Austria who beat France on Saturday lost to Lithuania, who lead the group 2-0, while Romania had Sorin Ghionea sent-off but still beat the Faroe Islands 1-0.