Roy Hodgson toasted England’s golden ticket to the World Cup finals as the greatest moment of his career.
Hodgson admitted he went through every emotion but victory felt as if they had won the lottery as it allowed him to dream of glory in Brazil next summer.
Hodgson said: “We’ve got a chance. If you want to win the lottery, buy a lottery ticket. We have our ticket.
“I’m not being emotional, but emotions are churning around inside me. I died a thousand deaths every time Poland crossed the halfway line. I’ll put my concerns for Brazil behind me for a while."
Former Switzerland, Inter Milan and Fulham boss Hodgson also claimed leading the Three Lions to a tournament in Brazil was the proudest night of his career.
“I think it will top the lot” said Hodgson. “The only reason I’m cautious is I don’t want to denigrate other achievements, or people in Switzerland to think I wasn’t very proud of that achievement and that team.
“To go to a World Cup in 94 and a Euros in 96 after so many years, that was a pretty good achievement. But I’m English. As an Englishman, it means a little bit more to you.
“It means an awful lot I’m delighted for the players. These matches were high pressure, but their performances have been good. We had to dig in for a spell in the second half this evening, which we did very well.
“Some of the football in the first half was quite spectacular and 1-0 at half-time was scant reward, but we couldn’t relax at 1-0, especially with the quality players they have.
“For a team with nothing to play for, they showed a lot of heart and fight. But we came through. It’s job done. We’re very happy, and we’re looking forward to going to Brazil, something the whole nation wants and backs us over.”
Hodgson’s men secured victory with a goal in each half from Wayne Rooney and captain Steven Gerrard’s late clincher to ensure England topped Group H.

It could be Gerrard’s last tournament while Rooney extended his record as England’s leading competitive scorer with 28 goals in 55 games and scored in every game he played in in the campaign.
Hodgson praised his goalscoring heroes, adding: “It was fitting that Gerrard got a goal tonight. If someone has played a captain’s innings for the team, it was him.
“Wayne is only 27. I don’t think that’s too old. Steven will only be 32. There’ll be a lot of pressure on us, but this team is growing in accepting pressure.
“The blend between the senior and young players looks good. I’m hoping they all stay fit because it’s made a big difference getting all the young players fit again.”