For 82 minutes, Trinidad and Tobago gave England a tension headache, keeping a clean scoresheet. Then, finally, the English capitalized on one of their countless penetrations.
Give TNT credit. They held tough just like in their opener with Sweden, dodging an onslaught of attacks. Ironically, it looked like the Trinidadians and Tobagoans were going to shockingly end the first half with the lead.
In first half stoppage time, TNT's Stern John clipped a ball in front of the English goal. As the shot floated in air to goal, the high, fully outstretched incoming leg of England's John Terry desperately managed to clear the sure goal ball from the line at the very last moment.
With England lacking offensive finishing, Wayne Rooney made his World Cup debut, coming in for Michael Owen in the second half.
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TNT were fortunate to avoid a penalty in the 74th minute when England penetrated the area deeply and a TNT man used his hand to help stop a chip.
Nine minutes on, the relentless English attack on TNT's goal finally paid dividends. England scored the winner on a Peter Crouch header courtesy of a wonderful Beckham cross. True to his word, Crouch did not perform the robotic dance.
The second England goal came in stoppage time from Steven Gerrard whose blast outside the area left no chance for keeper Shaka Hislop.
Moments later, TNT put the ball in the back of the net but the goal is erased thanks to a very close offsides call.
The English may have secured a spot into the second round, but they have yet to show the form of a team that can go far.
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