[England's Jermaine Defoe (C) scores his second goal against Andorra during their World Cup 2010 qualifying soccer match at Wembley Stadium in London — Reuters] LONDON, June 11 — England moved to within three points of next year’s World Cup finals by crushing Andorra 6-0 yesterday to win their seventh successive Group Six qualifier.
Two goals each from Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe and one from Frank Lampard and Peter Crouch preserved England’s perfect qualifying record under coach Fabio Capello and lifted them 10 points clear at the top of the group.
Capello gave David Beckham his 100th international start in midfield and he was allowed space to dictate the game which England won at a canter after Rooney opened the scoring with a fourth-minute header.
Lampard and Rooney struck before halftime when Rooney made way for Defoe, who scored twice in two minutes in the final quarter with Crouch adding a sixth as Andorra wilted.
The visitors did not have a serious attempt on goal in the match.
Europe’s nine group winners qualify automatically for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with the eight best runners-up going through to the playoffs. — Reuters