The big story of the night however was that of their captain, Wayne Rooney, who would make history by becoming his country's all time leading goal scorer, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's 49 goal record.
Before the game all eyes were on the 28-year-old as he looks to make history.
16 minutes in and the former Everton man has his first opportunity but can't find the target when it remains 0-0.
After a goalless first half the deadlock is finally broken. There's 66 minutes on the clock when Ross Barkley finds substitute Harry Kane and he finds the bottom corner to put the Three Lions in the lead.
That's 3 international goals in 4 matches for the 21 year-old who is yet to find the net for his club this term.
With 8 minutes remaining Rooney's moment in the spotlight arrives. After Raheem Sterling is tripped up for a penalty, Rooney buries the spot kick to get his 50th goal and become England's all time leading scorer.
Elsewhere defending Champions Spain travelled to Macedonia also having already booked their ticket to next summer's competition.
And they wouldn't have to wait long for their opening goal. 7 minutes Juan Matta's free kick is cleared, however the Manchester United man get's another chance to whip one in and some comedy goalkeeping gives Spain the lead.
Was it bad luck or just plain bad. Either way, that error from Macedonia keeper Tome Pacovski means his side are 1 down.
3 minutes later Deigo Costa has the chance to double his sides advantage but his shot is wide.
In a rather lacklustre second half the best effort comes from Real Madrid midfielder Isco but he can only shoot wide as the game finishes 1 nil.
Elsewhere Belarus got past Luxembourg 2 nil, Slovakia and Ukraine played out a nil nil draw. Lithuania beat San Marino 2-1, Slovenia did their chances of qualifying no harm with a 1-0 win over Estonia. Russia crushed Lichtenstein 7 nil, Montenegro defeat Moldova 2-0 and Sweden suffered a surprise loss to Austria, English Taobao going down 4-1.
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