England develop collective spirit to put final in sight

England 3 Denmark

"Everybody is chipping in," said Sol Campbell when discussing the progress of this England squad last week. It was a comment which came to mind an hour into Saturday's unexpectedly comfortable dynamiting of Denmark.

Niclas Jensen, from just outside the area, had lashed in a shot which David Seaman spilled. As Jon Dahl Tomasson closed in, and the England goalkeeper lunged forward to atone, Campbell arrived to thump the ball into the stands. England were 3-0 up but Campbell was not letting his focus slip for a moment, nor a team-mate down. His interception summed up the collective spirit which is behind England's improbable progress. The defence, in particular, has a unity of purpose which has resulted in a goal blockade that now extends beyond five hours' play, their best run since 1999 and the closing months of Glenn Hoddle's reign.

The ultimate test, Belgium permitting, await but England, if they continue to prolong the combination of fortune and opportunism which did for Denmark, need not fear Brazil. They will start underdogs, but should be competitive ones.

No one watching England in Japan could ever argue it is a squad of equals. The adoration of David Beckham and Michael Owen gives the lie to that. But those two do not regard themselves as a cut above. Though there are signs of bumptiousness within the squad, they come from less celebrated members. Beckham, in particular, has managed to stay popular among his peers despite global fame and ostentatious wealth. His secret is in combining a navvy's workload with an artist's ability.

Owen, a more reserved character, is respected rather than loved but well-regarded nevertheless, not least for remaining modest despite a keen sense of his sense of self-worth.

Neither player has yet set the tournament aflame but each has been influential. Beckham, though still far from full fitness, has had a foot in four of England's five goals. Owen is off the mark and will worry England's opponents on Friday, whoever they are.

The more telling contributions to date have, though, come from Rio Ferdinand, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes. As if to underline Campbell's point it was three more who caught the eye on Friday. Trevor Sinclair, who would have been on holiday now but for the injuries to Steven Gerrard and Danny Murphy, now plays international football with the confidence of someone who believes he belongs there. And so he should for he has provided balance, intelligence and industry and may have finally solved the left-flank puzzle. "He has," said the England coach, Sven Goran Eriksson, "been one of many good surprises."

Behind him was another, Ashley Cole. Facing a testing opponent in Dennis Rommedahl and maybe unsure of his own fitness he acquitted himself with increasing distinction. Eriksson noted of one challenge eight minutes from time: "It was good to see his block tackle late in the game. To have that mentality when you are up 3-0 is very good for a team, for the spirit."

Then there was Emile Heskey, a regular butt of criticism, his introverted personality often limiting his expression, and others' appreciation, of his natural talents. Not on this occasion. Heskey was an impressive foil to Owen, holding the ball up and bringing the midfield into play. He also, at last, scored.

Heskey's strike, his first since Munich, settled the tie. While it owed much to Belgian errors it was well taken and neatly made. Attempting to clear Danny Mills' throw-in Niclas Jensen headed the ball at Beckham, who swiftly rolled it into Heskey's stride. His first-time shot squirmed under Thomas Sorensen's body and England were through to the last eight for the first time in a dozen years.

If Sorensen could point to the wet turf in his defence then he had no excuse for England's first. Martin Laursen, such a key figure in Denmark's dispatching of the French, conceded a fifth-minute corner with a mis-directed header. Beckham swung it to the far post, Ferdinand headed it back, and Sorensen grappled with it all the way over his own line. Fifa, the sport's world governing body, yesterday awarded the goal to Ferdinand. Though this was very generous, no player deserved it more.

Sorensen was at least blameless for England's second. After neat passing from Beckham, Scholes and Ferdinand, Heskey laid the ball off for Butt. His pass was over-hit but Sinclair rescued it on the left. Butt attacked the box and, after Sinclair squared the ball to him, flicked it through Thomas Gravesen's legs to Owen. His control and finish was clinical. "It's good to score," he said. 'It taken four games, longer than I expected."

Eriksson added: "All big strikers live for goals. It is important for Heskey and Owen that they scored."

Denmark ought to have reduced the arrears soon after when Gravesen, who gave their only princely performance, robbed Owen to release Ebbe Sand. He pulled his shot wide and, despite a lot of possession and some neat wing-play, the Danes were out. "Goalkeepers make mistakes at times and it was a sad day for me," said Sorensen. He added: "England will have to play a lot better to stay in the tournament. If they play Brazil they will have to play at their very best."

Sour grapes, maybe, but with a note of realism. Owen was quick to reassure England fans that there was more to come. "We are still improving. We are not at our peak." He added: "You need a good defence to win anything and they have been rock solid."

Like the supporters' congas which jigged around the Big Swan Stadium, sweeping bewildered stewards aside, England's footballers have indeed developed a sense of momentum.

"We have got a taste for this," said Beckham. "None of us would be satisfied if we went out now, even to Brazil. We may be a young team but, if you look at us after the Nigeria and Denmark matches, there were not many celebrations. We were happy but not over the top. We haven't done anything yet. It is another four years and a lot of work to get to this position again so we intend to make the most of it."