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England recorded an impressive 3-1 victory over Switzerland in their 2nd Group G qualifying match for Euro 2012. Wayne Rooney put his troubles behind him as he put England in the lead in the 10th minute. Switzerland played the last half hour with 10-men after Stephan Lichtsteiner was sent off for a second yellow card. Adam Johnson scored England's second in the 69th minute but Switzerland pegged them back immediately through a wonder goal by Xherdan Shaqiri. England absorbed some late Swiss pressure and sealed the victory when Darren Bent sealed the win with England's third 2 minutes from time.

Ottmar Hitzfeld sprung a surprise by starting with Diego Benaglio, who had reportedly withdrawn from the game due to personal reasons, in goal. They started with a settled back four of Stephan Lichtsteiner, Stéphane Grichting, Steve von Bergen and Reto Ziegler. David Degen came in for Tranquillo Barnetta, who was out with a flu while Xavier Margairaz started on the left of midfield. Gökhan Inler and Pirmin Schwegler started in central midfield while Alexander Frei and Eren Derdiyok started up front in a good old fashioned 4-4-2.

Fabio Capello made just one change to the team that started against Bulgaria, bringing in Jolean Lescott for the injured Michael Dawson. Lescott partnered former Everton teammate Phil Jagielka in central defence while Joe Hart started in goal. They lined up in their familiar flat midfield with Theo Walcott and James Milner down the wings and Steven Gerrard and Gareth Barry in central midfield. Wayne Rooney shrugged off any pre-match concerns over his mental state and partnered Jermain Defoe up front.

England started the game brightly and went ahead in the 10th minute through Wayne Rooney. Glen Johnson made a surging run into the box and put in a perfect cross for Rooney, who finished with ease to score his first international goal since September 2009. Theo Walcott got injured in the build up to the goal and was stretchered off with what appears to be a broken ankle. England were in the ascendancy as they held the ball for long periods as the Swiss were reduced to occasional ventures into England's half.

Adam Johnson, who came on for the injured Walcott, looked threatening down the right wing and he combined with Glen Johnson before crossing to Defoe, who skied his shot from a few yards out. Gerrard and Barry were in complete control of the midfield while Rooney and Defoe were a constant threat up front. Adam Johnson almost doubled England's lead towards the end of the first half, but his powerful long range shot went inches over the bar.

The Swiss got a foothold towards the end of the half as they put together a few passes and created half a chance from a free kick on the edge of the box but David Degen shot wide. England came tantalisingly close to scoring on the stroke of half time through Defoe, but Stephane Grichting made a last ditch clearance at the far post to deny England. Rooney was again the architect as he rounded the keeper and squared the ball to the far post from the by-line but Grichting made a timely interception to keep Switzerland in the game.

The hosts made a change at the restart by bringing on Xherdan Shaqiri for Margairaz. The Swiss began to compete in midfield but neither team created clear cut chances at the start of the 2nd half. Around the hour mark, the Swiss started having their first real spell of pressure courtesy some sloppy defending by the English. But their hopes of a come back was dealt a blow when Stephan Lichtsteiner was sent off for a 2nd yellow card for a late tackle on Milner. The home side's day got worse as Adam Johnson scored a few minutes later to put England 2-0 up. Johnson collected Gerrard's through ball and ghosted past the keeper to tap into an empty net. Defoe was injured in the build up and was substituted by Darren Bent.

Shaqiri gave the home fans a glimmer of hope with a stunning 25 yard strike in the 72nd minute. The 18-year old ran past two defenders before unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner. Shaun Wright-Phillips came on for Rooney as England went in search of a 3rd goal to calm the nerves. They finally got it in the 88th minute when Bent latched onto Ashley Cole's cross. The goal sealed the result for England and Capello would have been very pleased by the composed performance by his players.

England have made it two wins out of two and look set to qualify with ease. The sour note of an otherwise impressive day, were the injuries to Walcott and Defoe, but both the substitutes, Adam Johnson and Bent scored thus showcasing the talent Capello has at his disposal. Switzerland were disappointing for most parts of the game. They need to change things around quick, especially at home, if they harbour any hopes of qualifying.

Teams:

Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Grichting, Von Bergen, Ziegler, Margairaz (Shaqiri 46), Inler, Schwegler (Costanzo 83), Degen (Streller 64), Derdiyok, Frei

England: Hart, Glen Johnson, Jagielka, Lescott, Ashley Cole, Walcott (Adam Johnson 13), Gerrard, Barry, Milner, Defoe (Bent 70), Rooney (Wright-Phillips 79)

Scoreline: Switzerland 1-3 England

Goals:

Switzerland: Shaqiri 71'
England: Rooney 10', Adam Johnson 69', Bent 88'

File Photograph Copyright: Shaun Brooks

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