Beckham: Hat-trick hero Walcott has the world at his feet

The Arsenal star, who started instead of Beckham on the right wing, became the first England player to score three times in a competitive match since Michael Owen in the 5-1 win against Germany seven years ago.

At the age of 19, Walcott also tore up the record books to set a new mark for the youngest player to score a hat-trick for England.

It was a performance of pace and precision which had England fans drooling and, according to Beckham, offers just a glimpse of the teenager's astonishing potential.

Beckham said: "If he plays like that every week he can put any defender in the world to shame. Everyone saw how fast he was, the speed of him is incredible.

"If he carries on like this he'll be amazing. Theo has played in some of the biggest games for Arsenal. He might be a young lad but he's got an experienced head on his shoulders.

"I don't have to say anything to keep him calm. He is at the right club and under the right manager. Everyone knows that Arsene Wenger looks after his players. The only thing I would say to him is to enjoy it."

Walcott is certain to have secured his place on the right wing at Beckham's expense for the next qualifier against Kazakhstan in October, but the former Southampton star revealed his performance was inspired by advice from the ex-England captain.

Walcott said: "Becks has been absolutely brilliant to me and he just gave me so much confidence. It's unbelievable to hear such compliments coming from David.

"I watched him when I was younger. To train with him, to be around him, to talk to him just spurs me on and gives me a big lift."

Walcott's performance helped condemn Croatia to their first home defeat since 1994 and put England top of World Cup qualifying Group 6, Beckham was in the last England team to achieve such an amazing away result - when they beat Germany in Munich in 2001 - and it led to many bold predictions about winning the World Cup.

England only managed to go on to reach the last eight of the 2002 tournament and today the 33-year-old has urged his fellow players not to repeat the mistake of over-confidence.

Beckham said: "It is important we don't get carried away like we did before when we beat Germany, but we can be happy. We played some great football. It is a big result because of the confidence we showed."

Fabio Capello was also keen to put the display into context, having passed his first major test as England coach with flying colours.

The Italian said: "This result is great but it's just a start. It was a good performance, a good result - but it's only one victory, not more.

"I said yesterday there was a lot of confidence among the players and we've worked very well for the 10 days that we've stayed together."