After an uninspiring first half, Slovenia’s opener early in the second looked set to make it a miserable evening for Roy Hodgson at Wembley. But a Wayne Rooney penalty followed by Danny Welbeck’s brace helped secure a 3-1 win.
Much like the World Cup group stages were hailed as a triumph, the European Qualifiers have proven surprisingly entertaining with the new format seeming to invigorate mid-ranking sides enlivened by the prospect of qualification. But while England appeared immune to the fun on offer in Brazil, they’ve also avoided any of the subsequent drama this season.
Germany, Spain, Netherlands and Portugal have all suffered defeats in Euro 2016 qualifying. Meanwhile, England’s 3-1 win over Slovenia makes it four wins from four in Group E. It may not have been exhilarating but it only requires a cursory glance at the results around Europe to appreciate that the Three Lions are faring better than most so far this season.
Until they registered their unexpected three goals in just 13 thrilling minutes — with Danny Welbeck claiming two to take his tally to five in this qualifying campaign — this was certainly not the event that Rooney would have imagined and dreamt of and craved for as he was presented with that cap by Charlton prior to kick-off.
Jack Wilshere later said England were becoming horrible to beat. For a while they were simply horrible.
It appeared it would be all about England running out of ideas, looking flat and listless and showing precious few signs of progressing from their World Cup disappointment. Plus a deserved shoeing for the Football Association for chasing the dollar — quite literally — in allowing those American Football teams, the Dallas Cowboys and the Jacksonville Jaguars, with their huge, hulking players to run riot over the Wembley turf. So much for a sacred surface.
There were dark patches and scars all over the turf which, evidently, also cut up although not as roughly as England manager Roy Hodgson had feared.
Isco scored a sublime goal as Spain stayed three points behind leaders Slovakia in Group C of Euro 2016 qualifying with victory over Belarus.
The Real Madrid midfielder opened the scoring when he curled the ball home from 18 yards in the 18th minute.
Barcelona's Sergio Busquets drove in the second from outside the area almost straight from the restart.
And club-mate Pedro completed the scoring when he smashed a shot high into the net from inside the box.
