Rejuvenated England advance

Slovenia 0
England 1
Defoe 23

England's World Cup campaign finally took off yesterday at the third attempt as Fabio Capello's side qualified for the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Slovenia.

But the United States took top spot in Group C with an injury-time winner over Algeria, meaning England finished runners-up and Slovenia - who had begun the day on top of the table - were eliminated.

Jermain Defoe started for England in place of Emile Heskey in one of the biggest gambles of manager Capello's career and the move paid dividends with the Tottenham striker's 23rd minute volleyed goal.

An opening 1-1 draw with the United States followed by the goalless stalemate with Algeria had left England staring at the possibility of failing to make it out of the group stage for the first time since 1958.

England started brightly and Wayne Rooney raised the temperature when he raced onto a superb through ball and Slovenia's defence had their work cut out to stop Gerrard heading in his cross at the far post.

Capello had called for John Terry to put on a "big performance" after his failed mutiny and the Chelsea defender responded, making a fine robust intervention to rob Robert Ljubijankic of the ball beside David James's near post.

England then took the lead with a superb high ball from James Milner, who started in place of Aaron Lennon, on the right wing into the box for Defoe to volley past Slovenia keeper Samir Handanovic.

In almost a carbon copy move minutes later, Milner crossed again, this time Defoe's shot was parried by Handanovic with Frank Lampard pouncing on the clearance only to fire over the bar.

It took a succession of fine saves from Handanovic to prevent England from doubling their lead as the Slovenia keeper kept out shots from Defoe and Gerrard.

The boos that had followed England off the pitch after Friday's woeful performance against Algeria were replaced by cheers as they walked off at the break.

Seconds after the restart, Defoe could and should have got his second, but his goalmouth effort after great work by Rooney on the left, went wide. He then had a goal disallowed for offside as England maintained their high tempo pace.

Rooney then grimaced as his close-range effort hit Handanovic's right-hand post.

Slovenia though gave England a scare in the 67th minute when Terry, Johnson and James combined to block a trio of quickfire shots from Milivoje Novakovic, substitute Ziatko Dedic and Valter Birsa.

Winger Joe Cole made his 2010 World Cup debut, coming on for Rooney, with Defoe later making way for Heskey.

With England having regained the form that saw them sail through their World Cup qualifying group it looked a matter of when, not if, they put the game to bed but hard as they tried a second goal proved beyond them.

But they held on, with Capello raising his hands in the air in delight when the final whistle blew.

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"This was the team which I loved to see in qualifying," said Fabio Capello. "We played with freedom, our minds were free."

England skipper Steven Gerrard cautioned against over-optimism after a stuttering campaign. "You are always anxious when you need to win, but we showed passion, quality and desire," he said.

"We rolled up our sleeves and produced the goods. But we know that if we produce another performance like we did against Algeria, it'll be our last."

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek was devastated at missing out on the last 16.

"It's indescribable," he said. "Of course we're disappointed but I hope in time my players can focus on what they've achieved.

"I congratulate my team and England, I hope England will win the World Cup. England played well but at the end we could have got a draw, but sport is like that, very unpredictable."

Slovenia: Handanovic, Brecko, Suler, Cesar, Jokic, Birsa, Koren, Radosavljevic, Kirm (Matavz 79), Ljubijankic (Dedic 62), Novakovic.

England: James, Johnson, Upson, Terry, A. Cole, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Milner, Defoe (Heskey 85), Rooney (J. Cole 72).

Referee: Stark (Germany).

Yellow cards: Johnson; Jokic, Birsa, Dedic.

Attendance: 36,893.