Steven Gerrard inspired England’s 5-1 victory over Croatia

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:40:34 +0000

England qualified for FIFA world cup 2010 by thrashing Croatia by 5-1. And it was none other than Steven Gerrard who set the tone for the evening in the 4th minute, running infield to get behind the Croatia defence.

Racing on to Lampard’s pass, the Liverpool captain took the ball towards the penalty area and tried to evade the challenge of Ivica Krizanac. The ball struck Krizanac’s arm, leading Gerrard to appeal for a penalty. Spanish referee, waved away the appeal the incident seemed to take place just outside the penalty area but 3 minutes later England had their penalty and the lead.

In 18th minute, Gerrard sent the ball wide to Lennon and drifted undetected into the penalty area where his team-mate’s perfect cross allowed him to score his first goal at the far post by a cool header.

The third goal was a classic, Glen Johnson charging forward and producing a couple of step-overs before crossing on to the head of Lampard, who steered a perfect header past Runje. Seven minutes later it was 4-0, an up-and-under from Rooney allowing Gerrard to claim his second goal with another looping header.

Rooney scored the fifth goal, stroking the ball into an unguarded net after Runje made a dreadful hash of a back-pass.

29-year-old Liverpool captain Stevie Gerrard was inspired, a marauding presence just as he is as for Liverpool, even if he was ostensibly operating from the left of midfield. And when Gerrard is smiling, you know things are going well.

ENGLAND vs CROATIA All Goals – Highlights

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Steven Gerrard inspired England’s 5-1 victory over Croatia

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