Two cheers for England's World Cup place

England were able to raise a glass to their World Cup place on Sunday, despite having little else to celebrate so far this season.

Saturday's 1-0 win over Austria by a team reduced to 10 men by captain David Beckham's red card has ensured England at least a back-door entrance to the world's stage.

The Netherlands's 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in Group One meant Sven-Goran Eriksson's side are one of Europe's best two runners-up, pending Wednesday's final game against Poland.

However, that achievement cannot hide the fact that England have turned in a string of disappointing performances since August and made their dream of winning the World Cup appear just that.

Truly awful in their first humiliation of the season, a 4-1 friendly rout by Denmark, England snatched a 1-0 qualifying victory over Wales despite appearing completely at sea with an unfamiliar 4-5-1 system.

When it seemed things could not get much worse, their 1-0 defeat by Northern Ireland put a dent in England's qualifying hopes and a gaping hole in their country's sporting pride.

With so much at stake on Saturday, it was always going to be England's nerves as much their footballing ability that would be put to the test by an Austria side with nothing to lose.

Though his team were leading through a 25th-minute penalty from Frank Lampard, Beckham's nerves cracked on the hour mark and he picked up two yellow cards in as many minutes.

REAL CHARACTER

Fortunately, it seemed to bring the best out of his team mates, who showed real character in defence and a determination to see out what proved to be a priceless win.

That team spirit was the best part of Saturday's performance.

Players showed throughout the game that they were willing to make personal sacrifices for the collective good, notably by keeping to their best positions.

Beckham stayed mainly to the right flank, resisting the temptation to pull into the central area he prefers.

Fellow midfielder Steven Gerrard wordlessly volunteered to do more of the defensive duties and allow Lampard to get forward, while Joe Cole kept to England's unloved left side.

Together, they provided the kind of shape and balance England had missed in recent games. Had striker Michael Owen been sharper and luckier they could have been two or three goals to the good by halftime.

If England are able to build on Saturday's display, a victory over Poland on Wednesday would fling open the front doors to Germany as Group Six winners and restore battered pride.

Beckham will be missing through suspension, while England lost their third first-pick defender with Sol Campbell joining Arsenal team mate Ashley Cole and Gary Neville on the sidelines.