Walcott inspires England
11/09/2008 8:11 AM
behind a low, skimming free-kick from Frank Lampard.
Then after 53 minutes Croatia were reduced to 10 men when Kovac was sent off for an aerial challenge which left Joe Cole bloodied - and replaced by Jermaine Jenas.
England almost instantly made its numerical advantage count - with Walcott striking for the second time.
Heskey and Rooney were involved in the build-up before the overlapping Walcott had time to pick his spot and send a low shot across Pletikosa, mirroring his effort for the first goal.
England was now rampant and in the 63rd minute Rooney ended his 11 month international scoring drought.
Ashley Cole won the ball off Srna, picked out the run of Jenas and his low cross from the left flank was clinically despatched by the Manchester United star.
Lampard had an effort ruled out for offside before Mandzukic beat James from close range with 12 minutes remaining.
But Walcott ended any hopes of a late Croatian revival as he collected a Rooney pass and clipped the ball wide of Pletikosa for his hat-trick.