England captain Steven Gerrard believed he and his team-mates demonstrated their ability to triumph in adversity after a 1-0 victory over Slovenia booked a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Jermain Defoe, promoted to the starting lineup above Emile Heskey, scored the only goal of a nail-biting game in Port Elizabeth as Fabio Capello's Three Lions got the win they needed to sneak into the knockout stages as the second-placed team in Group C, the Sky news reported.

"When you need to win a game and you don't get that second or third goal, you are going to be really anxious at the end," said the 30-year-old after the final whistle at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

"But I thought the lads were terrific today. Everything we asked; passion, fight, team spirit, togetherness and quality as well. We thoroughly deserved to go through.

"We have done it before today. When our backs are against the wall and there are people doubting us, we roll our sleeves up and produce the goods.

"But we need to do it all the time to go to the latter stages in this tournament. We need to find consistency now, especially in the knockout stages, because if we perform like we did against Algeria I don't think we will get another chance."

"I'm really happy with my form throughout the tournament so far, (although) I was disappointed not to get on the scoresheet again. One bobbled for me in the first half," he said.

"But I don't think it's fair to point any individuals out today. I thought all the players that started the game and the substitutes were terrific."

England will next play old enemies Germany as potential opponents in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon.

Gerrard, though, is not concerned. He said when asked if he cared who will lie in wait: "No I don't.

"All the games are difficult as it has proved from game one. But I think it is all about us now. If we turn up and play close to our potential, we are a match for anyone."

England captain Steven Gerrard believed he and his team-mates demonstrated their ability to triumph in adversity after a 1-0 victory over Slovenia booked a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Jermain Defoe, promoted to the starting lineup above Emile Heskey, scored the only goal of a nail-biting game in Port Elizabeth as Fabio Capello's Three Lions got the win they needed to sneak into the knockout stages as the second-placed team in Group C, the Sky news reported.

"When you need to win a game and you don't get that second or third goal, you are going to be really anxious at the end," said the 30-year-old after the final whistle at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

"But I thought the lads were terrific today. Everything we asked; passion, fight, team spirit, togetherness and quality as well. We thoroughly deserved to go through.

"We have done it before today. When our backs are against the wall and there are people doubting us, we roll our sleeves up and produce the goods.

"But we need to do it all the time to go to the latter stages in this tournament. We need to find consistency now, especially in the knockout stages, because if we perform like we did against Algeria I don't think we will get another chance."

"I'm really happy with my form throughout the tournament so far, (although) I was disappointed not to get on the scoresheet again. One bobbled for me in the first half," he said.

"But I don't think it's fair to point any individuals out today. I thought all the players that started the game and the substitutes were terrific."

England will next play old enemies Germany as potential opponents in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon.

Gerrard, though, is not concerned. He said when asked if he cared who will lie in wait: "No I don't.

"All the games are difficult as it has proved from game one. But I think it is all about us now. If we turn up and play close to our potential, we are a match for anyone."