(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) Theo Walcott scored a hat trick and Wayne Rooney ended his international scoring drought as England beat Croatia 4-1 in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, avenging two recent defeats against the Balkan nation.

"We played well, like a team and without problems," England coach Fabio Capello said. "But, this is only one victory, a good performance and nothing else."

Walcott gave England the lead in the 26th minute, taking advantage of a botched clearance from Danijel Pranjic that hit teammate Josip Simunic before falling to the Arsenal forward, who scored with a low shot from a tight angle.

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