Tottenham's new boy gives Fabio Capello a few headaches

After less than three minutes here at the Ernst Happel Stadium, Croatia took a sledgehammer to any sense of optimism being harboured by their opponents.

It was brutal. The fastest penalty in the history of the competition and a penalty that crushed the hopes of a host nation while also reminding England just how difficult qualifying for the next World Cup could be.

Croatia's Luka Modric celebrates scoring from the spot against Austria

Steve McClaren, here as a slightly controversial member of the BBC's commentary team, knew as much after losing twice to the Croats during his disastrous tenure as England coach.

But for Fabio Capello, who was among the spectators, this was a chance to take a proper look at the side standing between England and automatic qualification for South Africa in 2010 - and it must have been an uncomfortable experience.

Even without the injured Eduardo - and contrary to what Slaven Bilic has said, it seems unlikely the Arsenal striker will play in the Zagreb qualifier in September - Croatia are alarmingly dangerous.

Technically excellent and worth their victory against a spirited, if limited Austria team, they also possess a player in Luka Modric who will pose a real threat to England. 'Only Kaka is better than Modric,' Bilic once said and at time you could see his point.

Not only did Tottenham's new £16.5million star convert the penalty that was awarded after 160 seconds, but he dominated central midfield in a manner that will influence Capello's team selection. A holding midfielder like Owen Hargreaves or Gareth Barry seems essential.

Yet Capello will take encouragement from the problems Austria eventually caused their visitors. They might be ranked 92nd in the world but they delivered a very English performance that troubled Croatia.

They relied on urgency, pride and determination to expose deficiencies in a Croatia defence that Capello may try to exploit. Bilic's team suffered from occasional bouts of indiscipline and complacency which, had the Austrians possessed more quality, would have been punished.

Even then, the sponsors felt Stipe Pletikosa was kept busy enough in the Croatia goal to be their man of the match.

Austria will reflect on their first game as an opportunity wasted. They had chances to cause the first tournament upset. Sixteen efforts on goal to Croatia's 10, with Roman Kienast going closest with a stoppage-time header.

They never recovered from a horror start, the sight of Rene Aufhauser clattering into Ivica Olic leaving Pieter Vink with little option but to point to the penalty spot. A clinical Modric made no mistake and Austria had an Alp to climb.

To their credit they battled on admirably to the delight of fans who generated a terrific atmosphere. Croatia's failure to score a second goal clearly lifted their spirits. Olic threatened with a header and Mladen Petric also went close with a half-volley.

Croatia coach Bilic revealed how difficult it was to get his players to celebrate. 'I had to put the CD player on and order them to sing,' he said. 'It was a Croatian rock star. Someone you wouldn't know. And I had to say "come on, we've won".

'Some players were slightly overwhelmed by the occasion. Austria didn't pass well enough to really trouble us but they did have a few chances.' England must be more clinical should such opportunities fall to them.