Harry Kane hits a hat-trick as Three Lions secure qualification for Euro 2020 with an impressive win in 1,000th international clash
2020 EURO qualification
7-0
Match Rport
After a week dominated by discussion of Raheem Sterling, the Manchester City winger watched England book their place at Euro 2020.
Harry Kane hit a first-half hat-trick as England secured their qualification for Euro 2020 with a 7-0 win over Montenegro, moving on from the Raheem Sterling-Joe Gomez saga in emphatic fashion in their 1000th match.
The build-up to the Three Lions' milestone fixture had been marred by a confrontation between team-mates Sterling and Gomez, resulting in the Manchester City winger being dropped for Thursday's game.
But against poor opponents at Wembley, England's tough week behind the scenes looked to have been forgotten momentarily.
Needing only a point to qualify, victory secured top spot in Group A as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kane, Marcus Rashford and Tammy Abraham were on target, along with an own goal in front of watching England heroes past and, in Sterling's case, present.
Group Standings
Match Events
11' GOAL! England 1-0 Montenegro (Oxlade-Chamberlain)
OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN FIRES HOME!!! 1-0!!!! England take the lead through a brilliant strike from Oxlade-Chamberlain on his first start in over a year. Chilwell creates the goal by lifting a cross over the head of Radunovic in the right inside channel. Oxlade-Chamberlain takes a touch before rifling his right-footed strike beyond the reach of Mijatovic into the bottom-left corner.
18' GOAL! England 2-0 Montenegro (Kane)
KANE DOUBLES ENGLAND'S LEAD!!! 2-0!!! The Three Lions take control of the contest as their skipper guides home the free-kick from Chilwell. The delivery from the England left-back is on the money from the left flank, putting the ball into a dangerous spot in the six-yard box. Kane fends off a challenge in the air and glances his effort past Mijatovic from close range.
24' GOAL! England 3-0 Montenegro (Kane)
KANE AT THE DOUBLE!!!! ENGLAND 3-0!!! The home side have a third and it's all too easy for Kane. Chilwell is the provider once again as he floats a cross towards the near post from the corner. Kane beats his man at the near post and glances his effort past the helpless Mijatovic into the right corner of the net.
30' GOAL! England 4-0 Montenegro (Rashford)
RASHFORD MAKES IT FOUR!!!! 4-0!!! Montenegro's defence is all over the place, allowing Rashford space and time to drill an effort into the right corner. England catch the visitors cold from the corner and Alexander-Arnold lifts a deep cross to the back post. Maguire has a free header, but guides his effort straight at Mijatovic, who makes the save. However, Rashford pounces on the rebound and picks his spot with his right foot to find the net.
37' GOAL! England 5-0 Montenegro (Kane)
HAT-TRICK FOR KANE!!!! 5-0!!!! Kane notches his third hat-trick for England with a super finish from close range. He latches on to a deflected cross from the right flank from Sancho and still has work to do. Kane takes a touch and then places his effort into the bottom-left corner away from the depairing lunge of Sofranac. Expertly done by the Three Lions skipper.
66' OWN GOAL! England 6-0 Montenegro (Sofranac)
England have a goal in the second half as the defender inadvertently diverts a Mount strike into his own net. Rashford starts the move with a surge into the left inside channel and he powers a ball across the face of goal. It hits Sancho before he has time to react and bounces it back towards Mount. He swings a leg at it and it trickles towards the net before connecting with the boot of Sofranac into the top-right corner.
84' GOAL! England 7-0 Montenegro (Abraham)
ABRAHAM FINDS THE NET!!! 7-0!!! Abraham has his first goal for England as he slides a strike home from close range. Sancho atones for his earlier mistake in failing to pick out his team-mate. On the second attempt he puts the ball on a plate for the striker at the near post. Abraham stretches out with his right foot to guide his effort past Mijatovic with power into the bottom-left corner.
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