It just seems to get better and better. This was a tricky looking Second Round match against high quality opponents who had finished top of a group containing the World and European Champions. The result? An England victory of stunningly convincing proportions.

England now canter into the Quarter Finals and will meet Brazil should the scintillating South Americans overcome Belgium. What a treat that promises to be.

It is exactly that kind of game that Sven will have had in his mind the day he accepted Adam Crozier's offer to become coach of England.

At that stage, with England's World Cup qualification plight in a state of early disarray, we could only dream about such a prospect. Now it is our destiny.

Sven's reign has evoked many questions. What kind of man is he? How has he managed to change England's fortunes so dramatically?

However, after this performance, one of the toughest questions of all must be: Which has been our finest performance under him?

Of course no one can forget Germany and anyone who saw Argentina must still feel that tingle just thinking about the game. But it must be at least sixteen years [Paraguay in '86 perhaps comes closest] since the Three Lions have roared so fiercely on such a big night.

Burned by the experience of facing a thriving Sweden side in their first game, England knew they could not afford to underestimate their Danish neighbours.

Sven stuck with the same team that had earned the crucial draw against Nigeria on Wednesday. The players had only had three days to recover (one less than Denmark) but lethargy was the last thing on their minds or bodies this evening.

The tactical battle was an intruiging with both Danish flank players, Gronkjaer and Rommedahl, pushed high up the pitch in an attempt to stem the offensive intentions of our flying full backs, Cole and Mills. However, the Danes' attacking ploy also offered England the opportunity to do what they do best - play swift, counter-attacking football.

Once again the performance of the England fans matched that of the players and the roar with which they celebrated the award of our first corner on five minutes must have shocked the Danes.

Certainly they seemed to be frozen like statues when Becks' flighted set piece came in. No one picked up Rio's run to far post and his firm header was too much for Sorensen to keep out as the Danish keeper desperately scrambled back towards his line.

Earlier in the week our perceptive coach Steve McClaren had spoken about the value of set-pieces to England and once again Becks' delivery allied to our traditional strength in the air proved to be the killer combination.

Whether it was an own goal or not might be one for FIFA to resolve but certainly no one could question Rio's right to a goal after his performances so far.

Gronkjaer's excellent run and cross on eleven minutes was ample evidence that Denmark had no intention of giving the game up but we looked capable of penetrating the opposition defence every time we broke forward.

On fifteen minutes Ashley Cole bent a ball into the inside left channel for Heskey to chase. Emile destroyed Laursen on the run and looked to have found the perfect chipped finish only for Sorensen to make up for his earlier error with a smart dash off his line to intercept.

England were purring by this point, though, and our finest passage of play inspired a second goal on 22 minutes.

A lightning break released Sinclair down the left and the Hammer's excellent centre picked out Butt on the edge of the area. His deft and intelligent flick around the corner found its way to Owen and, before the Danes could react, the little magician had dispatched the ball home with an exemplary left foot finish into the far corner.

Following a week in which the English press had practically begged Michael to open his account in this tournament, he duly responded with a goal which made a mockery of his doubters.

He missed the second half with a groin strain which Sven thankfully described as only mild. England need a fit Michael Owen and you can't help thinking he might just fancy a Quarter-Final match-up with Brazil.

If Denmark were still in with a shout at 2-0, their hopes were extinguished once and for all by England's final flourish on 44 minutes.

Showing the hunger that is one of his greatest strengths, Becks burst down the right in an attempt to latch onto Danny Mills' quick throw. The mere presence of the England captain seemed to unnerve the Danish full back, Jensen, whose weak headed clearance landed at the skipper's feet.

Becks was immediately aware of Heskey's storming run down the centre and rolled a perfect pass into his stride. Emile simply lashed it home from the edge of the area and the ball sped off the slick turf past Sorensen in a flash.

As Emile turned away to celebrate, there were echoes of Munich again. That same state of shocked delirium once again reverberated around the ground.

Of the five goals England have scored this World Cup, David Beckham has scored one and set up three of the other four. Does the epithet "Captain Marvel" fully explain how much he gives to this England team?

The second half was full of celebration and entertainment. One piece of mesmeric footwork from Claus Jensen might have pulled one back for Denmark but Seaman rose to the occasion, tipping his delicate chip over the bar.

At the other end, Becks twice tested Sorensen from both long and short range as England counter-attacked with glee and gusto.

Kieron Dyer came on for the second half and how nice it was to see him so clearly enjoying himself playing in his favoured central midfield position on the biggest stage of all.

His presence radically strengthens Sven's hand in exactly the way the coach would have hoped when he gambled on the Newcastle man's fitness all those weeks ago in Korea.

Credit must go to Denmark for the way they pushed forward gamely in the second half. In truth though, by that stage the England party was already in full swing.

"Lets all have a disco" was the chant as they danced in the aisles.

Well, if you can't enjoy moments like these?

Click here for our full round-up of another amazing night in Japan.