England took another step towards a place at next year's World Cup with a thumping 6-0 win over Andorra at Wembley.

Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe both scored twice as England eased past Andorra to record their biggest win in a competitive game since 1999.

Anything other than victory over an Andorra side ranked 198 in the world was never seriously considered.

And after hitting their part-time opponents for six at Wembley, just as they did against Luxembourg a decade ago, England know a win against Group Six rivals Croatia on September 9 will seal a place at next year's World Cup with two games to spare.

If they make it, manager Fabio Capello will want Rooney in the same form as he has showed this season, his latest brace enough for him to streak clear in the World Cup qualifying sharp-shooters table with eight goals.

Frank Lampard's effort was sandwiched in between and half-time substitute Defoe scored twice in as many minutes before Peter Crouch netted his 14th goal in 16 international starts to take England's overall tally to 26.

It must have been particularly gratifying for Capello to see Rooney drill home a couple of close-range efforts before the interval as England disposed of their part-time opponents with the minimum of fuss.

The first came after four minutes when Glen Johnson picked out Rooney with a deep cross that, unmarked, the forward had little trouble finding the net with.

Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard might have scored in a little flurry around the 10 minute mark, but England were made to wait almost until the half hour before finding the net again, Frank Lampard powerfully drilling home Theo Walcott's cutback.

Johnson was again the provider for a second momentous goal for Rooney after 39 minutes, which allowed him to draw level with Sir Geoff Hurst as England's 12th highest scorer on 24.

Rooney and Gerrard were then replaced at half-time with Defoe and Ashley Young.

And Defoe took his chance well scoring twice in the 73rd and 76th minutes, Johnson setting up the first to take his number of assists to three, before Crouch tapped home with nine minutes remaining after a woeful mistake from Koldo Alvarez.