Charlton Athletic Online

England qualified for the World Cup finals in Germany next year thanks to an unconvincing 1-0 win against Austria coupled with Holland beating the Czech Republic. At worst, they will be one of the best two group runners-up.

Man of the Match in England's game at Old Trafford was Charlton's Luke Young, who covered magnificently at the back, and also got forward at every opportunity. It was Young's best game for England by a long way, although not that different to his normal showings for Charlton in recent season's. Other England players actually passed to him in this match, and his confiedence could be seen to be high. He had one chance to score, but in a similar situation to the first he had against Tottenham last weekend his control let him down at the last moment when confronted by the advancing goalkeper. He did have a hand in the only goal though - his pass forward being flicked on by Crouch to Owen who was fouled in the penalty area; Lampard scoring the resultant penalty kick.

David Beckham, playing right side of midfield, was sent off midway through the second half for two bookable offences (the first ever England player to be dismissed in an International match twice). This probably scuppered any chance Darren Bent (left) may have had of entering the fray, as one substitution had already been made (Ferdinand for the limping Campbell) and Sven decided that Ledley King and Keiron Richardson were needed to shore up the midfield at the expense of attack-minded Cole and Owen. Peter Crouch had a very strange game up front - winning just a few headers and being tackled frequently when he did control the ball on the ground - and it is doubtful if he will be asked to start for England in an important game again. Hopefully, now that England have qualified, Darren Bent will be given an opportunity to prove his goalscoring credentials against Poland on Wednesday night; I cannot see any purpose in playing Rooney and Owen together up front in this match.

Elsewhere Matt Holland played 45 minutes as substitute for Ireland against Cyprus; Ireland can still make it to Germany via the play-off route if they win against Switzerland on Wednesday night.

Denmark beat Greece in Copenhagen, with Dennis Rommedahl playing, and they will go through to the play-offs if they win on Wednesday in Kazakstan and Turkey do not beat Albania.

Norway scuppered Scotlands outside chance of qualifying and kept alive their own faint hopes with a home win versus Moldova; a clean sheet for Thomas Myrhe in goal.

Gonzalo Sorondo's Uruguay qualified for Germany after a goalless draw with Ecuador.

Most heartbreaking of all though, was the failure of Morocco to qualify, after a draw with Tunisia. Morocco led, but an own goal from Charlton's Talal El Karkouri brought the scores level at 2-2 in the second half and that was enough for the Tunisians to go through.

Other Addicks players countries in World Cup action:

Bulgaria (left) won 2-0 versus Hungary and Finland lost 1-0 at home against Romania. Russia beat Luxembourg without suspended Alexei Smertin and Iceland won without the injured big Hermann. South Africa drew 2-2 with DR Congo, in what was to be Shaun Bartlett's last internation but for injury; Jonathan Spector was an unused sub in USA's 3-0 loss to Costa Rica.