England put ten past San Marino to confirm place in 2022 FIFA World Cup
Three Lions secure record win against minnows to end qualifying campaign
England made light work of minnows San Marino, winning 10-0 to book their place in the main draw of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup billed to be held in November next year.
The Three Lions needed just a point to confirm their place in the Mundial, and manager Gareth Southgate started with a very strong team, opting to give Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe his full international debut.
England started the game as they intended to go on as a Phil Foden corner found the head of Harry Maguire in the 6th minute to open the scoring. It was the Manchester United captain’s seventh goal for the Three Lions, making him their highest-scoring defender ever.
The lead was soon doubled as teenage San Marinese defender Filippo Fabri diverted a cross from Bukayo Saka past his own goalkeeper after 15 minutes to make it 2-0 to England.
From here, it became the Harry Kane show for England. The Three Lions captain scored his first from the penalty spot to make it 3-0 in the 27th minute before squeezing a shot past the goalkeeper four minutes later to make it 4-0. Kane added another penalty in the 39th minute to put his country 5-0 up.
The Tottenham Hotspur striker made it 6-0 in the 42nd minute after a brilliant jinking run and finish through the San Marinese defence that had England manager Gareth Southgate beaming. Kane scored seven goals in his last two matches for his country and has entered into the top five for goals scored for England.
Arsenal’s Smith-Rowe scored his first international goal as he finished low following a brilliant flick from substitute striker Tammy Abraham in the 58th minute. Aston Villa captain Tyron Mings added an eighth in the 69th minute.
Tammy Abraham scored a brilliant goal in the 78th minute to put his country 9-0 up before Arsenal star Saka added a 10th for England straight from kickoff to round off the scoring and finish off the Three Lions’ biggest win ever in World Cup qualifying.
England have secured their place in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, with Poland finishing the group in second place and qualifying for the playoffs. England will join hosts Qatar, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Spain, France, Serbia, Croatia, Brazil, and Switzerland in the World Cup next November.
