Upbeat Eriksson hears the samba drums

England 3 Denmark 0Owen finds his predatory touch at last as Sven's young lions give no quarter to gain their quarter-final place

As one of England's most recently-created knights and enthusiastic sports supporters, Mick Jagger might be crooning this morning: "Hey, you get off a my cloud." That is where Sven Goran Eriksson's team recline today after securing England's first quarter-final place since that other new "Sir", Bobby Robson, took them there and beyond in 1990.

When Robson ­ knighted in the Birthday Honours List ­ took England to within penalty kicks of the final, Germany were the victors. If Eriksson's team overcome their likely quarter-final opponents, Brazil, on Friday, at Shizuoka, a rematch against the old adversaries in the final becomes ever more likely. It is not what England could have dared imagine when they arrived three weeks ago, with injury worries, doubts over the abilities of some and the inexperience of others.

But here they are, two matches from the World Cup final, and with three possible hindrances to that ambition already dispatched. Quite how it was accomplished in such seemingly facile fashion here will remain something of a mystery.

As far as we could determine, there was no obvious divine intervention. Yet, someone up there had blessed Eriksson and his team on an evening when Michael Owen and Emile Heskey both took advantage to make timely additions to their England records, neither having scored in four games. Owen came off with "a slight groin strain" at half-time and captain David Beckham finished the game with his left foot "aching" but that looks unlikely to keep them out of Friday's quarter-final against Brazil or Belgium.

It is cruel to refuse Rio Ferdinand the credit for scoring the opening goal, which England accepted so gratefully in the fifth minute, but the officials at Fifa were correct to do so, considering that Thomas Sorensen, on a wretched night, virtually threw a header from the Leeds defender into the net.

Three-nil to the good at half-time, with England benefiting from incisive breaks, the lead was never seriously in jeopardy, although with better finishing Morten Olsen's team might have decreased their opponents' advantage. But the first half will be remembered as one in which a scoreline has seldom so inaccurately reflected the balance of play. As Eriksson agreed: "I don't think we deserved 3-0, but anyhow we scored three times and had some other opportunities as well. So, I think we deserved to win, but maybe not with that scoreline."

England were frequently denied the initiative, particularly in midfield, in that first period. But they profited from Owen's return to his predatory best and from the kind of desperate goalkeeping which has been a feature of this tournament. It was no surprise to learn that Denmark had enjoyed nearly two-thirds of possession in that first, crucial, 45 minutes. Overall, their shot ratio was better than England's, too, at 10 to 8, but the decisive factor was England superiority on efforts at goal, seven to three. Ultimately, of course, the relative ability to find the net was the only statistic that counted.

Despite constant rainfall during the day, the atmosphere was still close as kick-off approached,. Once the contest got underway, it was one of mutual regard, as one might expect from a Premiership reunion of 11 English and five Danish Premiership performers.

Eriksson deployed the team who started against Nigeria but a formidable obstacle to their progress was "the Mitchell Brothers" as Jan Molby had affectionately referred to the redoubtable Stig Tofting, of Bolton, and Thomas Gravesen, of Everton, shaven-headed midfielders who bear a resemblance to the EastEnders characters. Both proved significant figures in the first half, as they prompted and prodded, chased and tackled, frequently negating the effectiveness of Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. Molby also believed that Denmark, who had accounted for France 2-0, had approached their peak against Roger Lemerre's men. Now they were at a fine pitch, he claimed. Ousting Les Bleus will have to remain their great claim.

Sorensen simplified matters for England by contributing to their first goal after just four minutes. Martin Laursen unnecessarily conceded a corner, which Beckham swung in from the left, and though Ferdinand got his head to the ball at the far post, Sorensen should have saved comfortably. He somehow contrived to fumble the ball backwards over the line. The goal unnerved Denmark and Owen mishit a half-chance on the volley before Heskey beat Laursen for power and pace but was thwarted by Sorensen leaping smartly off his line.

Midway through the half, Trevor Sinclair delivered a neat ball into Butt, who clipped it instantaneously through to Owen. The Liverpool man turned and drove it into the far corner of the net. He clearly thought he might have been offside and cast a quick eye towards the assistant, but there had been no flag.

Tofting was cautioned for dissent as Denmark showed their frustration, but Olsen's team were repeatedly exposing England's defensive uncertainty through Dennis Rommedahl down the right. Fortunately for England his crosses were too frequently wayward. However, after one excellent ball from Gravesen, Ebbe Sand cut in to the area, fashioned ample space and should have reduced the deficit, but drove unforgivably wide.

In a torrential downpour, both teams found it difficult to establish cohesive patterns. Ashley Cole had done a reasonable job of containing Rommedahl, but from one good run and ball in from the PSV winger, Sand just failed to convert.

Yet, just when Denmark appeared likely to reclaim an interest, England placed the outcome beyond them. Danny Mills' quick throw fell fortuitously for Beckham. He whipped in a cross in trademark fashion for Heskey to catch perfectly and lance straight through the stricken Sorensen.

Robbie Fowler emerged for Owen at the break and Kieron Dyer replaced Scholes shortly afterwards, while Teddy Sheringham came on for Heskey midway through the second half. Mills was booked after colliding with Rene Henriksen and catching him with a fist, which led to the Denmark players surrounding Mills angrily. However, it did not appear a malicious act from the Leeds man.

Denmark refused to capitulate. David Seaman fumbled one shot, but the ball was cleared before Jon Dahl Tomasson could pounce. Then a Gravesen effort was deflected wide. They were most unfortunate when Kasper Bogelund's fierce cross caught the lurking Tomasson's head but cleared the bar.

Either side of that action, Beckham's shot was tipped over by Sorensen and Sinclair headed over from a half-chance. But still the Danes persevered. Substitute Claus Jensen tried to chip Seaman and forced a splendid save. They knew it just wasn't going to be their night.

It was certainly England's. And with this kind of fortune the unthinkable may just be plausible. Brazil and their Three Rs, though ­ if it is them who progress ­ may just have something to say about that first.