Nuremberg, Germany (My Sportsbook) - Late strikes from Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard allowed England to overcome Trinidad and Tobago, 2-0, Thursday in Nuremberg.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad created several scoring chances throughout the game, but could not find the back of the net until the final minutes of play.

England struggled in the first half with missed opportunities from Crouch and Michael Owen. In the 44th minute, David Beckham found Crouch outside the box, but the Liverpool forward could only volley the ball wide.

Heading into the second half, Eriksson made some changes in the offense, replacing Owen and Jamie Carragher with Wayne Rooney and Aaron Lennon.

England fans rose to their feet as Rooney took the field in the number nine jersey. The Manchester United striker, who fractured his right foot in May, was making his World Cup debut.

Crouch eventually broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute as he managed to head Beckham's cross past Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.

Gerrard then doubled England's lead and ultimately sealed the win a minute into stoppage time with a left-footed shot from outside the area.

With the victory, England sits atop Group B with six points and advances to the Round of 16 with a match to spare. The European team meets Sweden Tuesday in Cologne.

After finishing in a scoreless draw with Sweden in its opening match, Trinidad and Tobago resides in the middle of the table with one point. The Caribbean nation faces Paraguay Tuesday in Kaiserslautern.