Joe Cole's brace saved England embarrassment as Fabio Capello's men registered a 2-0 win over Andorra in the first round of the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers in Barcelona on Saturday. Second half substitute Cole scored twice in the 49th and 55th minute to earn England an unconvincing win in Capello's first competitive game with the Three Lions. The Italian tactician left both Cole and David Beckham on the bench opting to give Theo Walcott his first England start, and the Arsenal winger didn't disappoint as he caused manic in the Andorran defense with two attacks in the first three minutes. However, despite the bright start England controlled most of the first half but with no real chances of whatsoever as Andorra's defense easily dealt with Jermaine's Defoe's ineffective presence as well as Stuart Downing's inaccurate crosses. The second half saw Cole replacing Downing and Emile Heskey came on for Defoe. To the delight of the English traveling fans Cole's introduction proved instantly decisive and Chelsea winger broke the deadlock with a well taken volley from Frank Lampard's free kick. John Terry came close of adding a second hitting the did netting from the edge of the box, but it was Cole who scored again on the 55th minute connecting with Wayne Rooney's pass with a cool shot. Full back Glen Johnson thought he scored his first goal for England but his powerful effort was ruled out as Cole stood in an offside position. The unimpressive should ring the alarm for England before they travel to Zagreb to face Croatia in the same group six qualifiers on Wednesday. Italy score lucky win
Di Natale's double saved Italy's day In Nicosia, World Champions Italy got on with a very slow start to their campaign, achieving a hard fought 2-1 over Cyprus thanks to an Antonio Di Natale strike in the dying minutes. The Italians were unlucky to see Alessandro Gamberini damage his shoulder just 60 minutes after the kick off and the Cypriots' quick start added to Marcello Lippi's misery. Just moments later Gianluigi Buffon came to the Italian's rescue, clearing a Efstathios Aloneftis header at the back post before the Cypriots appealed for a penalty after Andrea Barzagli's recklessly challenged Makridis in the box. Luckily for Italy Antonio Di Natale opened the scoreline against the run of play in the seventh minute after the Udinese striker created a chance for himself before shooting low bwteen the keeper's legs. Cyprus pilled the pressure after the goal and were unlucky not to equalize as Fabio Cannavaro had to clear Kostantinou's shot off the line. In the 30th minute Cyprus equalized when Matteo Casetti was caught napping to leaveAloneftis hit a rebound after Buffon heroically blocked Charlambides' close range shot. In the second half Lippi brought on Gennaro Gattuso in place of Luca Toni to stabilize the defense and after five minutes Di Natale scored again afterrounding the keeper but his effort was ruled out for offside. Italy had a great chance to score a second when a deflection set Alberto Gilardino through but the Fiorentina striker shot straight at keeper Gheorgollidis. Lippi had to wait till stoppage time to see his team strike lucky when Gilardino's flick found Mauro Camoranesi on the flank, the Juventus winger perfectly chipped the ball to Natale who fired in a tight-angled volley in the 92nd minute.
