FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 Rankings: England Beats Poland to Clinch 5th Straight Football Berth
England beat out Poland in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers Tuesday, to clinch its fifth straight World Cup appearance.
Scoring 2-0, the squad was ecstatic as the end of regulation sounded sealing their place in next year's Brazil World Cup tournament. Wayne Rooney scored a goal 41 minutes into the first half to lead England 1-0. Poland tried to score before the half ended, but failed to do so with England's defensive tactics.
A little past the 88th minute mark, Steven Gerrard kicked the ball into the net again, sealing his team's place in the World Cup.
"We have a great togetherness, are there for each other and proved we can perform under pressure," Gerrard told the press, reports The Washington Post.
Team manager Roy Hodgson couldn't be happier with the berth. Sports Illustrated noted that as Gerrard closed it in with a goal, Hodgson "leapt to his feet and scampered a gleeful jig down the touchline."
"I died 1000 deaths every time they crossed the halfway line, which is what you do," the English team manager told SI. "There's a lot of emotions churning inside me. We came through, it's job done and we're all very happy about that."
The win over Poland also breaks the ghosts of 1973, when England lost to the Polish for a chance to enter the 1974 World Cup in West Germany. Over 40 years after, and England finally gets its revenge on Poland.
With the win, England tops Group H of the European category to clinch the World Cup berth. According to the official FIFA World Cup standings, England only beat out number two Ukraine by a single point (22 to 21).
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be held in Brazil from June 12 to July 13, 2014. This will be the second time that the country will host the international football tournament.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!