England's World Cup drama – pictures from a thrilling match against Poland

Wembley Way is a blur as fans stream to the match. They're expecting 18,000 Poland fans to be among the crowd tonight. The big team news for England is that Chris Smalling will play at right back in place of the suspended Kyle Walker Photograph: LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

Jeepers. Here are some the Polish fans, making themselves known with blazing red flares Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Robert Lewandowski of Poland is challenged by Leighton Baines of England as the game begins at a thundrous tempo Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

England's Gary Cahill skips a tackle from Poland's Adrian Mierzejewski Photograph: David Davies/PA

Danny Welbeck of England reacts after a missed chance as England probe with a number of half-chances Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

But Poland are causing England huge problems on the counter attack. A slick breakaway move sets Robert Lewandowski free but he fires norrowly wide of the post Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Chris Smalling fails to get a touch on Steven Gerrard's long free-kick - any touch there would surely have seen England score Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP

Poland's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is beaten by a moment of brilliance from Townsend whose curling strike from range smacks the bar Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP

Then Daniel Welbeck stabs a shot wide from close range during a goal-mouth scramble. Frantic, thrilling stuff Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

At last, a goal! Wayne Rooney sends a header fizzing into the bottom corner from Leighton Baines' cross ... Photograph: Jan Kruger - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

That's put England top of Group H as it stands and, if it stays like that, they'll be going to Brazil. Every reason to celebrate Photograph: Matt Lewis - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Rooney gets mobbed Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

Rooney urges the crowd to raise the volume another notch. It's hard to imagine it could get any louder Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

In the second half, which is proving every bit as open as the first, England's captain Steven Gerrard fires a shot goalwards Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Joe Hart clears the danger as Poland attack Photograph: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Hart then denies Lewandowski when one-on-one with the Dortmund striker Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP

In the 88th minute, Steven Gerrard surges into the Polish penalty box Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

... and he ensures England's qualification with a deft finish just as he's pushed to the ground by his marker Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

2-0 to England and that's the perfect result. England have made it to the World Cup in 2014 courtesy of six wins, four draws and no defeats. It wasn't easy but boy did they end it in dramatic style. Photograph: Jan Kruger - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Roy loves it. Gary loves it. And the fans are certainly loving it too. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images