Rooney brace sets England on course for 2010 World Cup

Wayne Rooney

Rooney scored twice in the first half of the 6-0 win that put Capello's men on the brink of qualifying for next year's World Cup but he was taken off at half-time despite being in the hunt for a hat-trick.

"I decided, 'Thank you very much, have a good holiday'," England boss Capello said.

Rooney's two goals sandwiched Frank Lampard's strike, then in the second half Jermain Defoe struck twice and Peter Crouch grabbed another against the weak Andorrans.

Capello, agreeing it was a perfect performance, said: "I think so, we were very strong. We had two chances before Rooney scored the first goal. Always when you play against a team that is not strong, you have to start quickly, press and win back the ball. That is what we did.

"We didn't start well against Andorra last time we played them, we didn't score but we moved on, step by step. In the group we created a different style and in every game we improved."

Rooney said: "I have been delighted with the way the scoring has gone for me in the last few games and this has been my best season with England.

England are now 10 points clear of both the Ukraine and Croatia and need a maximum of four points from their final three games to go through to South Africa.

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