Wayne Rooney scored two first-half goals as England cruised to a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria yesterday.

Defender Gary Cahill grabbed his first goal for England in the 13th minute, beating goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov as he toppled to the ground.

Rooney twice punished Bulgaria’s casual defending. He beat his marker to head in a corner from Stewart Downing in the 21st minute, and then tapped in a ball on the break just before half time.

England lead Group G with 14 points from six games. Bulgaria, coached by former German great Lothar Matthaeus, have five points.

England’s victory was as comfortable as their home 4-0 win over Bulgaria in their opening Group G match.

Coach Fabio Capello picked Tottenham’s Scott Parker and Manchester City’s Gareth Barry in central midfield, meaning Frank Lampard was left out of a competitive match for England for the first time since 2007.

Matthaeus fielded five defenders, but his side still struggled at the back. Spells of pressure, and boisterous fans at Vasil Levski stadium, failed to help Bulagria score a qualifying goal at home at the third attempt.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart blocked a close-range header from Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov 10 minutes into the second half — Bulgaria’s only clear chance.

Downing answered for England a minute later, heading down a skillful cross from Theo Walcott, but the ball struck the far post with Mihaylov again beaten.

Italy struggled to a 1-0 win over the Faeroe Islands y but still moved within one victory of qualifying for the European Championship.

After AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano put Italy ahead with relative ease in the 11th minute, the Faeroes hit the woodwork twice at the Torsvolli stadium — first with a long shot from Suni Olsen that bounced off the post in the 24th and then with a close-range effort from Lamhauge Holst that hit the crossbar in the 71st.

A players strike postponed the start of Serie A last weekend, leaving Italy’s players short of match practice.

Still, with six wins and a draw, Italy lead Group C with 19 points and can qualify for next year’s tournament in Poland and Ukraine by beating Slovenia in Florence on Tuesday.