FABIO CAPELLO saluted hat-trick hero Theo Walcott but played down the long-term significance of England's stunning 4-1 victory over Croatia.

Capello's faith in the Arsenal teenager, who was preferred in the starting line-up to David Beckham, was more than justified as England overwhelmed Slaven Bilic's side.

Wayne Rooney also showed a welcome return to form, scoring England's other goal and laying on two others for Walcott as they buried the memory of the woeful defeat at the Maksimir Stadium two years ago.

But Capello has his feet firmly on the ground in terms of what England have achieved and knows there is a long haul ahead before they can contemplate competing in the 2010 finals in South Africa.

The Italian said: "I decided to put Theo into the first 11 because I saw the game against Andorra and also how he was in training - and at this moment he is fantastic psychologically and physically.

"It is very dangerous for defenders against Walcott. At this moment, he is difficult to contain.

"Of course, he is a young player and I said after the Andorra game that he will play fantastic games - but also that he will not play the same level in all of the games.

"When he plays like against Croatia, it is fantastic, but when he plays not so good, we have to support him. This is very important."

England returned home with a maximum haul of six points from their opening two games but Capello is too wise and experienced to start claiming the hard work has been done via victory over the Croatians.

He said: "The result was better than I expected, but I said in the build-up that I had a lot of confidence in the players because we have all worked very well in the 10 days or so we stayed together.

"That was the case during the training and every moment. It is very important. We played well, we played like a team, very compact and with no problems.

"We studied the style of Croatia and we tried to make it difficult for them to play their usual style.

"But let's not get carried away. We have just started. It is the second game of the qualifying round. It is a good performance, a good result, but it is nothing."

He concluded: "It is only one game. There is much still to do and games like Belarus and Ukraine will also be tough."

England went ahead after 26 minutes through Walcott's first senior goal for his country.

Danijel Pranjic's clearance rebounded off Josip Simunic into the path of Walcott who made the most of his fortune as he drilled a fierce low shot across Stipe Pletikosa into the corner of the net.

Croatia were reduced to 10 men after 53 minutes with the dismissal of Robert Kovac for an aerial challenge on Joe Cole who needed 10 stitches in his head.

England almost instantly made their numerical advantage count with Walcott striking for the second time.

Emile Heskey and Rooney were involved in the build-up before the overlapping Walcott had time to send a low shot across Pletikosa.

England were now rampant and in the 63rd minute Rooney ended his 11-month international scoring drought.

Ashley Cole won the ball off Darijo Srna, picked out the run of substitute Jermaine Jenas and his low cross from the left flank was clinically despatched by the Manchester United star.

Frank Lampard had an effort ruled out for offside before Mario Mandzukic beat James from close range with 12 minutes remaining.

But Walcott ended any hopes of a late Croatian revival as he raced onto a Rooney pass and completed his hat-trick.