England goalscorer Theo Walcott (centre) celebrates with teammates Wes Brown, who holds the striker aloft, Frank Lampard (left) and Jermaine Jenas (right). Walcott netted twice in a 4-1 win for England.

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 yesterday, avenging two recent defeats against the Balkan nation.

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

He added his second in the 60th minute from a similar position, after a perfect pass by Wayne Rooney, who then made it 3-0 after taking a neat cross from Ashley Cole to beat Croatian goalkeeper Pletikosa with a crisp shot inside the far post in the 63rd.

It was only the sixth goal in four years for the Manchester United striker.

Croatia pulled one back through substitute Mario Mandzukic on a breakaway in the 76th minute, after taking a pass from Darijo Srna.

Croatia defender Robert Kovac was sent off in the 54th minute, when he appeared to hit Joe Cole after a foul. Cole had to be stretchered off and was replaced by Jermaine Jennas.

For England, the win was a measure of redemption after losing 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley in November last year and 2-0 a year ago in Zagreb, two losses that led to England missing out on this year's European Championship.

Results around Europe

Sweden 2, Hungary 1

Albania 3, Malta 0

Latvia 0, Greece 2

Switzerland 1, Luxembourg 2

San Marino 0, Poland 2

N Ireland 0, Czech Republic 0

Russia 2, Wales 1

Finland 3, Germany 3

Turkey 1, Belgium 1

Bosnia-Herzegovina 7, Estonia 0

Kazakhstan 1, Ukraine 3

Faeroe Islands 0, Romania 1

France 2, Serbia 1

Lithuania 2, Austria 0

Montenegro 0, Ireland 0

Italy 2, Georgia 0

Iceland 1, Scotland 2

Macedonia 1, Netherlands 2