Fifa WC qualifiers: Walcott scores hat-trick in Zagreb

Walcott at last showed the talent that had provoked Sven-Goran Eriksson to take him to the 2006 finals but failed to get a game - however his vibrant display may well usher in the end of former captain David Beckham's international career.

For Klose it was a perfect response to those who believed he may be past his prime as three times he levelled for the 2006 semi-finalists against a Finnish side on Wednesday hardly brimming with world class talent.

There was relief too for France coach Raymond Domenech, who may well have faced the axe had his side gone down to defeat at home to Serbia.

The Republic of Ireland, coached by former Italy handler Giovanni Trapattoni, eked out a 0-0 draw away at Montenegro to trail the Italians by two points.

There were mixed results for the Iberian duo as European champions Spain breezed past Armenia 4-0 while 2006 World Cup semi-finalists Portugal lost 2-3 at home to Denmark, conceding two goals in injury-time.

That was not quite such an embarrassment as Switzerland losing 1-2 at home to Luxembourg, one that must rate as probably the worst in the distinguished career of Swiss boss Ottmar Hitzfeld.

For England the victory was a measure of revenge for the two Euro 2008 qualifier defeats inflicted by the Croats which had seen the Balkan side progress to the finals at the expense of the English.

Walcott was modesty itself after firing his hat-trick against a Croatian side - reduced to 10-men early in the second-half when Robert Kovac was red carded - that suffered its first ever competitive home defeat in Zagreb. "There were 11 stars, the whole team were stars out there," said the teenager.

England coach Fabio Capello praised Walcott's performance but also cautioned against expecting a similar level of performance the whole time.

"I said after Andorra that he can play...