England 2-0 Poland

England booked their place in Brazil next summer last night, with a comfortable win over a relentless Poland side. Both Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard scored for the home side in a 2-0 win.

The Three Lions started well, and Townsend had his first shot saved by Szczesny. Poland’s defence in the first half was very good, and indeed needed to be. Sobota, the young Polish attacker, then hit netting from close in.

Steven Gerrard’s freekick was missed awkwardly by the possibly offside Chris Smalling. From an England corner, Poland then countered through Adrian Mierjezewski, but Robert Lewandowski missed the target. Daniel Sturridge was then passed to by the explosive Townsend. The Liverpool striker then almost missed the ball completely.

Townsend then ran free again, smashing the crossbar with an extraordinary curling effort. Sturridge then smashed the rebound at the goalkeeper and play went down field. A fabulous chance. A few minutes later, England got a corner and Welbeck smashed the ball wide with his left foot. Then came the breakthrough.

The ball was cleared from outside Szczesny’s area only as far as Carrick. He passed the ball to Baines, whose cross was excellent. Wayne Rooney headed the ball into the net for the breakthrough. A few minutes later, Sobota scored an offside goal that was not counted. The referee blew the whistle, and the half ended. England 1-0 Poland.

The half-time substitute Klich then had two decent chances to equalise in his first minute and a half. Welbeck then earned England a corner. The header from Gary Cahill was then expertly parried by the Arsenal keeper. The defender Wojtkowiak then turned the ball away for a corner. He nearly scored an own goal.

Robert Lewandowski and Wayne Rooney were then both denied by their opposing goalkeepers. Both teams had a few more chances before the second goal arrived. James Milner, Andros Townsend’s replacement, then passed the ball to Steven Gerrard. The captain then passed one player before lifting the ball over Szczesny for a fantastic 88th minute goal.