England can be World Cup winners - Bilic - Sport in brief

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The victory made it eight wins from eight qualifying matches for Fabio Capello's England side, who booked their ticket to South Africa next summer. Two goals from Frank Lampard, two from Steven Gerrard and one from Wayne Rooney made it 31 goals for England's rampant side as they headed Group Six with two matches to spare.

A shellshocked Bilic, who had accused Capello of taking the Englishness out of the England side, said: "We didn't expect this in our worst nightmares. They were fantastic from the start."

He added: "They didn't surprise us. They played their own game and they looked the sharper, more aggressive side even before the first goal.

"We were very happy at half-time that it was only 2-0. It could have been five. Our goalkeeper was fantastic.

"When we conceded a third goal we could not come back. I would like to congratulate them for a fantastic performance."

And on the chances of England captain John Terry holding aloft the World Cup next summer, Bilic said: "Based on tonight definitely. But it is not easy to play every game like that.

"They missed their first pass after half an hour. It was one-two, one-two. It was perfect. If they manage to play like this then of course they can win it."

The defeat means Croatia are locked in a battle with Ukraine for the runner-up spot in Group Six and a place in the play-offs, which could yet be a route to South Africa.