ENGLAND will be expecting three more points on their way to Qatar as they host Andorra at Wembley TODAY.
The Three Lions will be among the favourites for the World Cup, should they get there, following their near miss against Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
- Kick-off: 5pm BST
- TV/ live stream: ITV/ ITV Hub
- England XI: Johnstone; James, Mings, Coady, Trippier; Bellingham, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold; Lingard, Bamford, Saka
- Andorra XI: Gomes; T Rubio, Llovera, Vales, Garcia, San Nicolas; J Rubio, Rebes, Clemente; M Vieira, Sanchez
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GOODNIGHT
That’s all from us at Wembley after England moved one step closer to next year’s World Cup in Qatar with a straightforward 4-0 victory over Andorra.
Jesse Lingard and Bukayo Saka were the stars of the show as one made the most of a rare international appearance, and the other went some way to banishing the heartbreak of the summer’s penalty shootout defeat.
There’s still time to relive the action with Dave Kidd’s match report, hot off the press from the national stadium, but otherwise we’re already beginning to prepare for the final round of matches in this international break.
So we’ll be back on Wednesday evening for the next round of qualifying games, and it’s the toughest test for Gareth Southgate’s squad so far: a trip to Warsaw to face Poland and Robert Lewandowski. Join us from 6pm for all the build-up.
SOCIAL SHOWING
Several England players have wasted no time in taking to social media to express their delight at a second 4-0 victory in the past four days, and another job well done.
BUKAYO BACK WITH A BANG
Bukayo Saka returned to the scene of his lowest ebb, and – together with the support of the Wembley crowd – faced his demons. On his 20th birthday, the Arsenal youngster scored one and made one. At full time, he spoke about how the reception of the England fans spurred him on to succeed.
“It’s the perfect birthday present for me. I’m really glad we got the win and I can celebrate it in this way.
I’m really happy with the reception everyone gave me. It shows that they’re proud of me and it means a lot. It made me want to give my all.
Bukayo Saka
“[The fans] made a real difference for me. It makes me believe that they will support me through thick and thin.”
JESSE’S GIANT SHOWING
Jesse Lingard has played just four minutes of club football this season, but showed he still has plenty to offer on the international stage with an eye-catching performance.
The Manchester United midfielder scored a goal in each half, and laid on another for Bukayo Saka late on.
MAXIMUM SUCCESS
At the halfway stage in World Cup Qualifying, England are out in front having taken a maximum 15 points from their five games.
Meanwhile, Albania are temporarily second after an impressive late win against Hungary this evening; Poland play away to San Marino this evening.
Credit: UEFA.COM FULL TIME STATS
Eighty-eight percent possession, 771 passes and 33 touches in the opposition penalty area, it’s been a dominant performance from Gareth Southgate’s side – and yet still we’re asking for more.
FT: ENGLAND 4-0 ANDORRA
England ease to victory in Group I following three late goals at Wembley. Jesse Lingard scored once in each half on his return to the international fold to put the Three Lions in charge, and then set up Bukayo Saka to head in a fourth five minutes from time. Earlier, substitutes Jack Grealish and Mason Mount had combined to win a penalty that another substitute, Harry Kane, converted with aplomb.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL TIME WHISTLE GOES!ENGLAND 4-0 ANDORRA
90+2. Chus Rubio becomes the sixth Andorra player to be booked, but it feels like a lot, lot more.
It certainly seems as if Lingard has been chopped down on at least 15 occasions.
These Andorran players must really hate Manchester United.
ENGLAND 4-0 ANDORRA
90. The board goes up to display a further three minutes at the end of the game.
Is there any more joy for England?
ENGLAND 4-0 ANDORRA
88. England are still pushing.
Lingard is denied his hat-trick by a last-ditch block, and then, a long range Kane effort is tipped away by Gomes’ theatrics.
From the corner, Mings flashes a header over the bar.
ENGLAND 4-0 ANDORRA
87. That earlier booking has been confirmed as being shown to Tyrone Mings, which means the Aston Villa will be suspended for Wednesday’s trip to Poland.
ENGLAND 4-0 ANDORRA
85. Redemption for the birthday boy!
Bukayo Saka has a goal on his 20th birthday, and it is all down to the quick thinking of Trent Alexander-Arnold at a corner – heard that one before?
The Liverpool man catches the Andorran’s unaware with a quick pass to Jesse Lingard, who is free to move in and cross into the six-yard box for Saka to head into the empty net.
His smile lights up Wembley, and his emotions are a far cry from those seen in July.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLL!!
BUKAYO SAKA HEADS IN A FOURTH!!ENGLAND 3-0 ANDORRA
83. England could add to the scoreline in these final stages as the contest has really opened up now.
ENGLAND 3-0 ANDORRA
82. The yellow card is out, but nobody is sure to who.
It may be for Grealish, and the midfielder’s failure to retreat at a free-kick.
ENGLAND 3-0 ANDORRA
80. Kane! What a miss!
Lovely play from Grealish on the left, who teases his marker along the touchline before lifting a perfect cross into the unmarked Kane at the far post.
You’d back the England captain to score this on every single occasion, but he takes his eye off the ball at the vital moment, and the result is a shinner against the post from close range.
Once again, the offside flag is up to spare blushes, but it was very, very tight.
ENGLAND 3-0 ANDORRA
77. And sure enough, there’s the third goal!
Bukayo Saka darts in off the right flank, uses Jack Grealish by not using him, and sends a pass into the feet of Jesse Lingard.
The Manchester United man looks up to assess his options, and then moves two paces forward before toe-poking a low shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Two for Jesse Lingard, three for England, and another win for Gareth Southgate’s men is assured.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!!
JESSE LINGARD AT THE DOUBLE!!ENGLAND 2-0 ANDORRA
74. Into the final quarter of an hour, and you have to wonder whether England will now expose a tired Andorran side that have actually defended very well this evening.
ENGLAND 2-0 ANDORRA
72. England have a second, and it means Harry Kane has now scored in 14 consecutive qualifying games.
It was never in doubt once the England skipper stepped up despite the slow run-up and Andorra goalkeeper Josep Gomes clearly telegraphing which way Kane was intending to shoot.
Gomes dives the right way – low to his right – but there’s too much power on Kane’s strike and it whistles past the keeper’s outstretched hand to find the bottom corner.
There was a short delay while VAR checked the initial infringement, but the video officials confirmed they were happy that Christian Garcia’s nudge in the back of Mason Mount following good work from Jack Grealish constituted a penalty.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLL!!
HARRY KANE SCORES FROM THE SPOT!!MOUNT GOES DOWN UNDER GARCIA’S CHALLENGE!
PENALTY TO ENGLAND!ENGLAND 1-0 ANDORRA
67. Andorra make a change that sees Ricard Fernandez on in place of Aaron Sanchez.
It’s the most anonymous performance from A Sanchez since Alexis’ Manchester United days.
ENGLAND 1-0 ANDORRA
66. Jordi Rubio picks up a yellow card for fouling Saka.
He’s not the first and he won’t be the last.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
