England are through to the last 16 of the World Cup after Jermain Defoe's first-half goal was sufficient to overcome Slovenia 1-0 in Port Elizabeth.

Defoe justified his recall in place of Emile Heskey by turning home a 23rd-minute cross from James Milner in a much improved display by Fabio Capello's side.

England had chances to have won more comfortably, while Wayne Rooney struck a post, but they were indebted to Glen Johnson for blocking a goal-bound shot from substitute Zlatko Dedic.