• Wales 0-2 England, Euro 2012 qualifying

Dominant England cruise to Cardiff win

ESPN staff
March 26, 2011
Darren Bent's goal put the seal on England's rapid start in Cardiff © Getty Images
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England climbed to the top of Group G in qualifying for Euro 2012 after overwhelming Wales with a devastating first-half performance at the Millennium Stadium.

Frank Lampard's penalty and a strike from Darren Bent handed England an early advantage that they never looked in serious danger of surrendering - despite a spell of pressure from Wales in the late stages.

Gary Speed's side remain rooted to the foot of the table, four points from second-bottom Bulgaria and with their qualification hopes in tatters, following a fifth-successive loss.

After springing a significant surprise by reinstating John Terry as captain in the week leading up to the match, Capello caused another stir when he named Wayne Rooney on the left side of a three-man attack that also featured Bent and Ashley Young. Elsewhere, Scott Parker slotted into midfield for his first start since October 2006, putting him in direct competition with Aaron Ramsey, who became Wales' youngest captain.

Terry and Young handed Capello a much-needed early boost when they combined to force a penalty after six minutes. Young collected his captain's pass and drove into the area, where he was bundled over from behind by Aston Villa team-mate James Collins. Lampard made no mistake from the spot, drilling the ball low to Wayne Hennessey's right for his 21st goal in an England shirt.

The early setback dealt a significant blow to Wales' fragile confidence - Speed's men had lost each of their first three in Group G - and their plight was worsened eight minutes later when England doubled their lead through Bent. Glen Johnson's straight, searching ball from the right-back position drifted over Danny Collins' head, allowing Young to pounce and square the ball for Bent to hammer into the roof of the net from eight yards.

England's rapid start allowed them to play with the confidence that is so often lacking, and they went on to dominate the remainder of the opening period, with Wales unable to escape their own half in the face of constant pressure. That said, a 25-yard half-volley from Young, which flashed over the bar, was as close as they came to building a three-goal advantage. There was one sour note for Capello, however, as Rooney picked up a booking that forces him out of the next qualifier, at home to Switzerland.

Wales flickered into life at the start of the second period as England's intensity began to dip, and the Cardiff crowd was nearly sent into raptures when Andy King fizzed a drive just over after latching onto Craig Bellamy's through ball. Hopes of an unlikely comeback increased on the hour mark, as Ramsey went close after capitalising on an error from Terry.

But for all their endeavour, Wales did not have the creativity required to punish England, who were happy to concede possession before looking to strike on the counter. The Dragons did force a rash of late corners, but the dead-ball situations did not prove a leveller as Capello's charges repelled the threat comfortably. The Italian could afford the luxury of withdrawing Rooney in the late stages as he turned one eye to the midweek friendly against Ghana - and substitute Stewart Downing came agonisingly close to putting the seal on the win with a late thunderbolt.

England received a huge boost later in the day as Bulgaria and Switzerland played out a 0-0 draw in Sofia, leaving both six points off the pace at the halfway stage of qualifying.

For a round-up of the rest of Saturday's fixtures, click here.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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