Harry Kane broke a near-century old record by netting his 16th England goal in 2021 - more than any other Three Lions player in a calendar year.
The England captain was in incredible form for Gareth Southgate's men on Monday night, scoring four first-half goals in Serravalle - including two penalties - to put England 6-0 up at the interval.
Before the match, Kane was on 12 goals for this calendar year which was tied with George Hilsdon's total in 1908 and Dixie Dean in 1927.
What makes Kane's achievement astonishing is that he was on nine Three Lions goals for the calendar year just last week - but now has seven in a matter of days to break the record which stood for 93 years.
Kane is also the fourth player to score a hat-trick for England in back-to-back games, after Dean in 1927, Vivian Woodward in 1909 and Tommy Taylor in 1957.
It was a lightning quick start for England in San Marino, with Harry Maguire and Bukayo Saka both getting on the scoresheet before Kane was afforded the chance to score his first from the penalty spot, after a handball from Dante Rossi.
The spot-kick was awarded in bizarre circumstances as Phil Foden's acrobatic volley was going well wide but brushed off the fingertips of Rossi, who needlessly had his arm in the air.
Kane confidently struck England's third from the penalty spot in the 27th minute before he got his second a little over three minutes later. Smith Rowe's ball into the box from the left was missed by a number of players but Kane was on hand to turn and shoot first time into the bottom corner.
Kane completed his hat-trick - his fifth for England and second in two games - with a second penalty in the 39th minute. Kane himself had won the penalty when his header was handled by Alessandro D'Addario.
He then got his fourth with some neatwork and a smart finish to round off another impressive 45 minutes in an England shirt.
Ian Wright and Roy Keane heaped praise on the Three Lions skipper, labelling the 28-year-old as an 'elite' scorer during the half-time break.
'We are talking about an elite goalscorer, you can only beat what's put in front of you,' Wright said during the interval.
Keane also praised England for staying clinical – even against the likes to San Marino.
'England are being clinical and professional,' Keane added. 'The biggest challenge is the surface. They are keeping it simple and getting it into the box.'
After Kane joined him on 48 England goals, former striker Gary Lineker wrote on
Twitter: 'Hello @HKane, welcome to the 48 goal club. I suspect your membership will expire within minutes, but it's been a pleasure to have you alongside.'
England went on to score four more goals in the second half to complete a ruthless 10-0 rout of San Marino.