England's captain David Beckham(L) is in possession of the ball during their international friendly soccer match against Hungary at Old Trafford, Manchester, May 30, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters)

      MANCHESTER, England, May 30 (Xinhua) - Thanks to three second-half goals, England on Tuesday ground out a 3-1 victory over Hungary in a World Cup warm-up, which witnessed teenage striker Theo Walcott making history for the hosts.

    After squandering some chances in the first half, including a penalty-kick and a post-hitter, England broke the deadlock one minute after the interval when Steve Gerrard nodded in a good cross from David Beckham. Four mintues later, defender John Terry did the same from another free kick by the England captain.

    Dardai pulled Hungary back into the game in the 55th minute when a superb curling shot beat keeper Paul Robinson, and nine minutes later, England manager Sven Eriksson sent on Walcott and Crouch before later replacing Terry with Sol Campbell.

    Crouch, another candidate for Rooney's place, fired home on theturn after a mazy run and pass by Joe Cole in the 84th minute.

    It was a special night for Walcott, who came on as a second-half substitute to become England's youngest player at 17 years and 75 days.

    Striker Wayne Rooney, whose foot injury sent shockwaves throughEngland's World Cup preparations, set the previous record at 17 years and 111 days.

    Eriksson used the match to try out midfielder Gerrard in an advanced role behind striker Michael Owen, as a possible replacement for Rooney.

    Gerrard's usual position went to central defender Jamie Carragher, pushed forward into a holding midfield role in the evening's other experiment.

    Rooney's hopes of going to the World Cup hinge on a scan he will undergo on his broken right foot on June 7. Under FIFA rules,Eriksson can replace him in the squad up to 24 hours before the opening game against Paraguay on June 10. Enditem