David James - 6

The Portsmouth goalkeeper would not be himself without providing the odd jittery moment, such as the occasion when he spilt Srna's corner, allowing Corluka to shoot wide, and another when he attempted a punched clearance and missed, but still a safe pair of hands compared with Paul Robinson's career low two years ago. Made a smart save from Pranjic in the second minute.

Wes Brown - 7

The Manchester United defender is fast turning into one of Fabio Capello's favourite sons, with the Trinidad & Tobago and Andorra matches the only ones he has missed during the Italian's seven-match reign, and that faith was more than vindicated last night. Set the tone for an aggressive performance by pressing high up the pitch and kept Rakitic largely subdued.

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I will retain the hope that Walcott will become a wonderful player, who will ignite England at the World Cup in South Africa

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BACKGROUND

• Walcott does the trick for England

• Walcott ready for life in spotlight

• Capello rewarded for throwing caution to wind

• How the England players rated in Zagreb

Multimedia

• How England's incredible win unfolded

Rio Ferdinand - 7

The Manchester United defender's sore back came through unscathed, while the rest of his body was rarely examined on a relatively straightforward evening for the centre backs. It was impossible not to ponder what would have happened if Ferdinand and Terry had been fit to face Croatia at Wembley last year, a question Steve McClaren may find himself asking for the rest of his days.

John Terry - 7

The captain did his bit to downplay expectations by declaring before kick-off that a draw would be a good result, but the manner of this victory would have surprised even him. Although not the backs-to-the-wall performance that had been expected, Terry played his part, making a crucial clearance from Petric in the first half after James had spilt a corner.

Ashley Cole - 6

Endured a difficult opening in an otherwise positive start, bringing back memories of Wayne Bridge's nightmare at Wembley last November. The Chelsea left back was caught in possession in the first minute, gave away the ball in the second and was bamboozled by Olic in the twelfth as Croatia counter-attacked, but recovered to make some important challenges.

Theo Walcott - 10

Proved as good as his word by playing without fear to produce an incredible performance on only his second start. The 19-year-old terrified Pranjic with his pace from the first minute and, after one tame shot soon found his range, keeping his head when it mattered to produce three clinical finishes, with the Arsenal winger's third goal the pick of the bunch.

Gareth Barry - 7

The Aston Villa midfield player was huffing and puffing early on as Modric effortlessly glided past him through the middle of the pitch, but improved dramatically. Another who put the team's requirements ahead of his own, a rare sight in recent years, but one that must become commonplace if this magnificent result is not to be a remembered as a one-off.

Frank Lampard - 8

A selfless performance from a man used to having teams constructed around his talents, with the Chelsea midfield player content to sit deep alongside Barry and help to protect the back four. Still able to creating openings with his fluent passing and effervescent running, as well as bringing a good save from Pletikosa with a second-half free kick. Steven Gerrard could learn from watching.

Joe Cole - 6

Not as threatening as Walcott on the opposite flank but, as the Chelsea midfield player learnt to his cost when berated against Andorra last Saturday, Capello values industry as much as inspiration and will have been pleased with his efforts. Felled by a brutal elbow from Kovac in the second half, for which the Croat was sent off, and replaced by Jenas.

Emile Heskey - 7

The Wigan Athletic striker's record of five goals in 48 England appearances is still something of an embarrassment, but on occasions such as this it scarcely matters. Heskey did all that was asked of him, holding up the ball and providing a physical presence up front, and could have had a penalty when he appeared to be pushed by Simunic midway through the first half.

Wayne Rooney - 8

A game of two halves from the Manchester United striker, producing an energetic and disciplined performance in support of Heskey in the first 45 minutes before blossoming into the player who scored twice against Croatia four years ago. Rooney ran the show after creating the second for Walcott, scoring his first international goal for 11 months before making another one for the teenager.

Substitutions

Jermaine Jenas (for J Cole, 56min): Shored up midfield and created the third goal for Rooney 6
David Beckham (for Walcott, 84)
Matthew Upson (for Terry, 88)

Not used
Paul Robinson, Glen Johnson, Stewart Downing, Jermain Defoe

Booked
Heskey

How Croatia rated

Stipe Pletikosa 5
Vedran Corluka 6
Robert Kovac 4
Josip Simunic 5
Danijel Pranjic 4
Niko Kovac 6
Darijo Srna 6
Luka Modric 5
Ivan Rakitic 5
Mladen Petric 5
Ivica Olic 6

Substitutes Dario Knezevic 5 (for Petric, 56min); Nikola Pokrivac 5 (for N Kovac, 62); Mario Mandzukic (for Olic, 73)

Not used Vedran Runje, Ivica Krizanac, Jerko Leko, Ivan Klasnic

Booked Simunic, Srna

Sent off R Kovac

Referee Lubos Michel (Slovakia)