ENGLAND eased past San Marino in line with expectations on their opening day of World Cup qualifying.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted a double with James Ward-Prowse and Raheem Sterling also scoring and Ollie Watkins finding the goal on his debut.
THAT’s ALL FOR TONIGHT
England have kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign off with a thumping 5-0 win!
They have two more games to go in this international break and we’ll be covering it here at SunSport!
We’ll also be paying particular attention to the England U21’s Euro campaign which they kicked off with a loss to Switzerland.
Lets hope they get back on track!
Goodnight.
THREE LIONS ROAR
NOBODY is quite sure what the most farcical aspect of this World Cup campaign will be.
That the finals are being held in Qatar or that England must play four matches against rank amateurs, during a global pandemic when non-essential travel is supposed to be banned.
Still, it will be a World Cup campaign like no other – beginning in an empty Wembley, ending in the desert in winter.
And England began it by defeating the worst team on Earth, a San Marino side who have never won a competitive game of football, in passable fashion.
Read More: England 5 San Marino 0 Match Report
SOUTHGATE’S THOUGHTS
England boss Gareth Southgate gave his thoughts to ITV after the game: “I think we did as well as we could, really.
“I was really pleased with not only the way we moved the ball, our interchanging positions but also the way we pressed when we lost the ball.
“That highlighted the mentality of the team. Of course, it’s an opponent we should beat, but I thought we played really well.
“The midfield players moved the ball really well. It was good to see Jesse [Lingard] enjoying his football again.
“It was nice to give [Ollie] Watkins half an hour and for him to get a goal is a fairytale.
“[Jude] Bellingham is a player we think is going to be an international of the future.
“Hopefully, we can fast-track him into our group.”
WATKINS SPEAKS
Watkins spoke to ITV after his debut England goal: “It’s unbelievable, it’s what I dreamed of.
“All day in the hotel I was thinking about it, I hope I get on and get an opportunity, but I didn’t know if it would happen.
“I’m speechless, to be honest. I feel honoured that I have had the chance to put on the shirt and play with these players.
“To score on my debut, I’m over the moon. I can’t believe it really, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity.”
FULL-TIME STATS
England dominated the game from start to finish.
The average positioning of both teams tells the story of the game! For San Marino, it was about damage limitation.
And for England, they knew they would win but it was about how many goals they could get to stat-pad the goal difference.
FT: ENGLAND 5-0 SAN MARINO
England start their Qatar World Cup qualifying campaign off with a thumping win against minnows San Marino!
The Three Lions added two goals in the second half, the first coming from Calvert Lewin in the 53rd minute.
Jesse Lingard worked hard close to the byline to put the goal on a plate for the Everton forward and he made no mistake with the finish.
And Watkins got England’s fifth, turning well on the edge of the penalty area and firing into the bottom-left corner.
In reality, the scoreline should have been more but a win is a win!
PEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE GOES AT WEMBLEY!
ENGLAND START THEIR WORLD CUP QUALIFYING WITH A WIN!
ENGLAND 5-0 SAN MARINO
90+2. YELLOW CARD!
Mings picks up an unnecessary yellow card right on the full-time whistle.
ENGLAND 5-0 SAN MARINO
90. Two added minutes at the end of the 90.
ENGLAND 5-0 SAN MARINO
87. Foden floats a wonderful ball into Chilwell inside San Marino’s penalty area.
The left-back tries to shield the ball from D’Addario before going to ground appealing for a penalty.
But the referee waves away his claims.
ENGLAND 5-0 SAN MARINO
85. About five minutes left at the end of the second half.
Watkins scores on his England debutCredit: Getty Images ENGLAND 5-0 SAN MARINO
82. Chilwell lays the ball back to Lingard, and the midfielder does well to skip a challenge and find Foden.
The Man City wonderkid then zips the ball into Watkins on the edge of the penalty area.
And Watkins takes a touch before firing into the bottom-left corner!
Debut goal for Watkins and a fifth for England.
GOOOOAAAALLL!!!
WATKINS SCORES ON HIS ENGLAND DEBUT!!!
ENGLAND HAVE A FIFTH!!!
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
80. Ward-Prowse plays a wonderful cross into San Marino’s penalty area and Bellingham is the nearest man to it.
The midfielder manages to connect with the ball but his header goes wide of the post.
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
78. SUBSTITUTION!
San Marino make more changes as Berardi, Lunadei and Golinucci make way for D’Addario, Giardi and Battistini.
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
78. Lingard skips clear of his marker and shifts the ball onto his stronger right foot.
The midfielder gets a shot off but Benedettini saves once again to deny England a fifth.
It’s been a good little battle between the pair – Lingard has registered five shots on target tonight.
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
76. England are still controlling over 80% of the ball and San Marino aren’t really trying to get on the ball.
The visitors are sitting back and hoping to keep the scoreline down.
Credit: Getty Images ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
74. Nine shots for Lingard – the most since Wayne Rooney against San Marino in October 2014 (13).
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
72. Watkins races away down the right-hand side before floating the ball towards Bellingham inside the penalty area.
The teenager gets an acrobatic shot off but his effort clears the crossbar.
Another good chance for England goes to waste.
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
70. OFF THE POST!
Ward-Prowse steps up and sends a curling effort towards goal, but keeper Benedettini tips the ball onto the post!
Good save from the San Marino keeper!
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
69. Bellingham shows some lovely footwork to lose his marker and break into his stride.
He tries to ride the challenge of a San Marino defender but wins a free-kick in the process.
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
67. San Marino have done well to keep the scoreline down!
They’ll be rather happy if the score stays the same. Conceding four against one of the best teams in the world away from home isn’t a bad result.
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
65. Foden clips the ball wide to Chilwell on the left-hand side and the left-back plays a first time pass back to Bellingham.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder gets the ball out of his feet and sends a strike towards goal, but it’s straight at the keeper.
England are searching for more goals!
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
63. Lingard plays a slick one-two with Bellingham to find some space inside the penalty area.
The midfielder gets a shot off but Benedettini is equal to it.
Lingard is desperate for a goal!
ENGLAND 4-0 SAN MARINO
62. SUBSTITUTION!
Calvert-Lewin’s night comes to an end and Watkins is on for his international debut!
The Aston Villa forward has ten goals so far this season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
