England 2-0 Trinidad & Tobago

2006 World Cup Finals, Group B
5pm (BST), Thursday 15 June 2006
Frankenstadion, Nuremberg

Liverpool duo Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard have put England into the second round of the World Cup as Wayne Rooney made a dramatic return from injury in a 2-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago.

Crouch thumped home a header from a deep David Beckham cross after 83 minutes to give his side their second win in an row in Germany. And then Gerrard hit a stunner in injury time to seal a breathtaking victory.

The goals sent England’s amazing fans, who packed the Frankenstadion, into rapture and will give the nation a massive boost.

Earlier it had looked as though Rooney’s comeback from a broken foot after 58 minutes would be England’s biggest positive in a match of so many missed chances.

Frank Lampard alone must have had five or six decent opportunities on a night when the ball just wouldn’t find its way into the net.

But the abiding memories of this game now will be Crouch’s winner, Gerrard’s wonderful goal and Rooney’s contribution as he thundered into tackles and galvanised England’s attack.

He came on to rapturous applause in place of Michael Owen as Sven-Goran Eriksson went all out for victory at with half an hour to go.

Tottenham flyer Aaron Lennon also made his bow, in place of defender Jamie Carragher, and Stewart Downing later replaced Joe Cole with 16 minutes to go.

Rooney’s arrival certainly gave England a boost, and with David Beckham moving to right-back it also gave Lennon a chance to shine.

Crouch went mighty close to grabbing a lead after 69 minutes when his header from a Beckham free-kick went over the bar. And then Frank Lampard fired a shot straight at keeper Shaka Hislop after 76 minutes following neat work from Rooney and Crouch.

It seemed it was going to end 0-0 - but then Crouch made it six goals in five games with his trademark header before Gerrard drove home a stunning left-foot curler from 20 yards in the very last minute to break Trinidad’s hearts.

Just how England didn’t nit the net before that we will never know, but the main thing is the points are in the bag.

But they also needed Ashley Cole to make two superb covering challenges on Stern John as Trinidad caught them on the break in the second half and the linesman to rule out a Stern John effort right at the death.

In an action-packed first half England also had plenty of chances - as well as a late scare when John Terry acrobatically cleared off the line from Stern John.

Lampard could have given England the perfect start after only six minutes, when his thumping shot was saved by Shaka Hislop - and Michael Owen found the rebound too fast to control.

Crouch had a glorious chance when Joe Cole chased down a pass on the left and whipped over a fine right-foot cross early on.

The Liverpool striker just got one of his long legs to the ball - but Shaka Hislop made an amazing save at his near post to deny England.

Crouch had another great chance shortly before half-time when Gerrard’s wonderful first-time ball found Beckham on the right.

The England Captain throw over a perfect cross that cleared the Trinidad defence, but unmarked Crouch sent his volley wide from 12 yards.

But who will remember that now?

England are in the last 16 of the World Cup, Rooney is back, Crouch is on fire. And Gerrard has just scored one of the goals of the tournament so far.

England: Paul Robinson, Jamie Carragher (Aaron Lennon 58), Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, David Beckham (c), Frank Lampard, Peter Crouch, Michael Owen (Wayne Rooney 58), Joe Cole (Stewart Downing 75)
Substitutes: David James, Scott Carson, Sol Campbell, Wayne Bridge, Gary Neville, Owen Hargreaves, Jermaine Jenas, Michael Carrick, Theo Walcott

Goals: Crouch 83, Gerrard 90+1

Trinidad & Tobago: Hislop, Edwards, Sancho, Lawrence, Gray, Birchall, Whitley, Yorke, Theobald (Wise 85), Stern John, Jones (Glen 70) 
Substitutes: Cox, Latapy, Samuel, Charles, Scotland, Ince, Wolfe, Andrews, Jack

Referee: Toru Kamikawa (JPN)
Assistants: Yoshikazu Hiroshima (JPN), Dae Young Kim (KOR)
Fourth Official: Kevin Stott (USA)

Kit Colours
England: White shirts, Blue shorts, White socks
Trinidad & Tobago: Red shirts, Red shorts, Red socks