Late goals from Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard gave England a flattering 2-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago yesterday.
Crouch, who had missed several chances, met David Beckham's right-wing cross to power a header past Shaka Hislop.
Gerrard wrapped it up in stoppage time with a stunning left-foot drive after England made hard work of the contest.
Wayne Rooney came on, but it was fellow subs Aaron Lennon and Stewart Downing who helped turn the game England's way.
It had looked like being a major embarrassment for England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, with his team short on ideas and confidence.
They created plenty of chances without ever being in total control of the match and can count themselves fortunate to have got out of jail.
England boss Sven Goran Eriksson said he was satisfied with the performance, which followed Saturday's 1-0 win over Paraguay.
"I am rather pleased, the players showed a lot of patience and that paid off," said the Swede.
He backed striker Michael Owen, who was replaced by Rooney after 58 minutes, having also failed to last an hour against Paraguay.
"I think he gets better and better. He is another player who hasn't played football for a long time," said Eriksson of Owen.
"We must now immediately begin our preparations for the game against Sweden. We haven't beaten them for a long time, so it would be nice to do it in Cologne."
Owen, meanwhile, admitted his last two outings in an England shirt "have not been my best".
"Obviously I'd like to play fantastically well in every game," he said, "but I feel I'm making good runs."
Goalscorer Crouch, who had missed decent chances earlier in the game, admitted England were "lackadaisical" at times.
But the Liverpool striker added: "Three points are all that matters, to be honest.
"We are through to the next round and we would have taken that before the game."
Trinidad & Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker admitted defeat had hurt.
"We had chances but that's football," said Beenhakker. "We knew we could organise our game to survive.
"But we can live with the result although it always hurts."
The Trinidad coach hailed his players defending but was also quick to praise the opposition.
He added: "England have fantastic players and I wish them all the best."
Beenhakker's captain, Dwight Yorke, insisted it was among his career highlights playing England despite the defeat.
"It was a special moment because I have so many friends, so many memories of playing in England," he said. "It was so much work. England got so much possession of the ball."
Crouch, who had missed several chances, met David Beckham's right-wing cross to power a header past Shaka Hislop.
Gerrard wrapped it up in stoppage time with a stunning left-foot drive after England made hard work of the contest.
Wayne Rooney came on, but it was fellow subs Aaron Lennon and Stewart Downing who helped turn the game England's way.
It had looked like being a major embarrassment for England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, with his team short on ideas and confidence.
They created plenty of chances without ever being in total control of the match and can count themselves fortunate to have got out of jail.
England boss Sven Goran Eriksson said he was satisfied with the performance, which followed Saturday's 1-0 win over Paraguay.
"I am rather pleased, the players showed a lot of patience and that paid off," said the Swede.
He backed striker Michael Owen, who was replaced by Rooney after 58 minutes, having also failed to last an hour against Paraguay.
"I think he gets better and better. He is another player who hasn't played football for a long time," said Eriksson of Owen.
"We must now immediately begin our preparations for the game against Sweden. We haven't beaten them for a long time, so it would be nice to do it in Cologne."
Owen, meanwhile, admitted his last two outings in an England shirt "have not been my best".
"Obviously I'd like to play fantastically well in every game," he said, "but I feel I'm making good runs."
Goalscorer Crouch, who had missed decent chances earlier in the game, admitted England were "lackadaisical" at times.
But the Liverpool striker added: "Three points are all that matters, to be honest.
"We are through to the next round and we would have taken that before the game."
Trinidad & Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker admitted defeat had hurt.
"We had chances but that's football," said Beenhakker. "We knew we could organise our game to survive.
"But we can live with the result although it always hurts."
The Trinidad coach hailed his players defending but was also quick to praise the opposition.
He added: "England have fantastic players and I wish them all the best."
Beenhakker's captain, Dwight Yorke, insisted it was among his career highlights playing England despite the defeat.
"It was a special moment because I have so many friends, so many memories of playing in England," he said. "It was so much work. England got so much possession of the ball."
