Mixed emotions for international Reds

The Liverpool skipper showed all his technical ability to head home either side of the break on a night when Fabio Capello's squad guaranteed a place in South Africa. Gerrard was substituted after 80 minutes.

Glen Johnson also grabbed an assist after beating a man and supplying a pinpoint cross for Frank Lampard to convert one of his two goals. Wayne Rooney was England's other scorer.

Elsewhere in qualifying action, Dirk Kuyt helped end Scotland's faint hopes of a World Cup spot, playing 90 minutes as unbeaten Holland prevailed 1-0 at Hampden Park.

It was also a great night for Martin Skrtel, who lasted the distance as Slovakia went a long way to booking their place in South Africa with a 2-0 win in Northern Ireland.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos played 90 minutes for Greece in a 1-1 draw with Moldova, while in the same group Yossi Benayoun captained Israel to a 7-0 win over Luxembourg. Both still have hopes of featuring next summer.

Fernando Torres was given 57 minutes as high-flying Spain beat Estonia 3-0.

Also subbed in the second half was Andriy Voronin as Ukraine were held to a goalless draw in Belarus.

In South America, the woes continued for Argentina skipper Javier Mascherano, who led his side to a 1-0 defeat in Paraguay. Diego Maradona's men are now fifth in their group, hanging on to a play-off position by the skin of their teeth.

Meanwhile, youngster Nikola Saric came off the bench to score for Denmark U19s in a 3-0 win over Sweden on Tuesday night.