Wonderful Walcott hits historic hat-trick

Arsenal youngster Theo Walcott hit a stunning hat-trick as England romped to a 4-1 victory against Croatia on Wednesday night.The 19-year-old was a surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello's line-up for the World Cup qualifier in Zagreb but he justified the England manager's decision with an inspired display.Walcott's pace and trickery gave Croatia no end of problems and he opened his international account after 26 minutes, finding the bottom corner after Danijel Pranjic's clearance cannoned straight into Robert Kovac and fell at Walcott's feet.The Arsenal winger found himself in an identical position moments later but his cross-shot was pushed aside by Croatian keeper Stipe Pletikosa. By now Walcott was a constant menace to the hosts and Josip Simunic was booked for a cynical foul on the teenager as he surged through the middle.England's task got easier in the second half when Robert Kovac was sent off for an elbow on Joe Cole, and Walcott rounded off a slick passing move with another rasping shot into the bottom corner to double the visitors' advantage on the hour mark.Wayne Rooney made it 3-0 four minutes later and, although Mario Mandzukic grabbed a consolation for Croatia, Walcott had the final word. With eight minutes remaining the 19-year-old sprinted onto Rooney's through-ball and rolled his shot past Pletikosa to complete an historic treble.It was the first competitive hat-trick for an england player since Michael Owen bagged three against Germany in the 5-1 win in Munich in 2001. And it signalled Walcott's arrival as a true international star.