Harry Kane scored four goals as England secured a thumping 10-0 win over minnows San Marino on Monday.
England wrapped up their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in an emphatic fashion as they secured a thumping 10-0 win over San Marino. The three points helped the Three Lions finish on top of Group I, thus securing direct entry to next year’s competition.
It was a dominant performance from England right from the very beginning, as they highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides. It took them just six minutes to find the opener through Harry Maguire. There was shoddy refereeing along the way, but the visiting side was dominant nonetheless, creating multiple scoring opportunities and having the lion’s share of possession.
Their constant pressure helped them score a total of six goals in the first half, with Harry Kane scoring four of them. San Marino, in response, had very little to show, as they mostly had to defend the attacking onslaught from their opposition.
From a scoring sense, England were a bit lenient in the second half, as they only netted four times. Tammy Abraham and Tyrone Mings scored two of the goals, while Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe netted one each. There was another goal scored by Jude Bellingham, but Abraham’s foul during the build-up forced the referee to chalk the goal off. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Gareth Southgate’s men.
Aaron Ramsdale: 7/10
In what was his debut for England, Aaron Ramsdale had a quiet day at the office as San Marino struggled to make any impact going forward. However, the in-form Arsenal goalkeeper was called into action around the half-hour mark when he made a brilliant save to deny San Marino a consolation goal. A deserved clean sheet for the Englishman.
10 – @England's 10-0 victory over San Marino this evening is their biggest ever win in a competitive away match in their history. Unrelenting.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 15, 2021
Harry Maguire: 8/10
Harry Maguire opened the scoring with his thumping header in the sixth minute. He looked quite dangerous from set-pieces, as he used his imposing presence to good effect. Defensively, the Manchester United skipper marshalled the backline well to keep the San Marino attackers at bay.
Conor Coady: 7/10
Conor Coady operated at the heart of England’s three-man backline. The Wolves star was not involved on the other side of the pitch, but his aggression and dogged nature in defence was key in helping England shut San Marino out.
Tyrone Mings: 8/10
Tyrone Mings had an excellent game in the England backline. Starting as the left-sided centre-back, the Aston Villa star was given the freedom to make marauding runs forward due to his team’s sheer dominance in possession. His support helped out the attackers massively, as he offered a numerical advantage in build-up play.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 8.5/10
Trent Alexander-Arnold made a relatively slow start to the game as he failed to involve himself in most of England’s attacking moments. However, an improved second-half display saw him register a total of three assists and create multiple scoring opportunities in the final third.
Jude Bellingham: 7.5/10
Jude Bellingham showcased his box to box abilities to make himself a useful attacking presence in the final third and in midfield. His aggression and tenacity made him an asset in England’s second line of press. The youngster was unlucky to have his goal chalked off in the second half.
10 – @BellinghamJude is just the second player in @England’s history to win each of his first 10 caps after @theowalcott, who won each of his first 14 appearances for the Three Lions. Catching. pic.twitter.com/zmtstVt9on
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 15, 2021
Kalvin Phillips: 7/10
Kalvin Phillips established himself as the hub of the England midfield with his crisp passing and brilliant distribution. His forward passes were vital in helping his team breach the opposition defence time and time again, though the Leeds United star was subbed off at half-time.
Bukayo Saka: 8.5/10
Bukayo Saka was a crucial attacking outlet down the left-hand side, especially in the first half. His forays down the flanks made life difficult for the San Marino defenders, while the Arsenal star also created several scoring opportunities for his team. He capped off a brilliant display by scoring England’s tenth goal of the night.
Phil Foden: 7.5/10
Phil Foden created a few excellent scoring opportunities in the first half while also linking up brilliantly with his teammates. He was perhaps a bit unlucky not to find the back of the net before he eventually made way for Tammy Abraham at half-time.
Harry Kane: 10/10
Harry Kane was the undisputed man of the match in this sublime attacking display from England. The Tottenham superstar led the line wonderfully, showcasing his positioning sense and ability to sniff goalscoring opportunities.
Four first-half goals ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
Second international hat-trick in four days ?
Harry Kane is ??????????? right now. pic.twitter.com/ATmpfnutOD
— GOAL (@goal) November 15, 2021
Although two of his four goals did come from the penalty spot, the England captain deserves plaudits for his overall impact on the game, including chance creation as he most notably set up Smith Rowe’s goal in the second half.
Emile Smith Rowe: 8.5/10
Speaking of Smith Rowe, the Arsenal playmaker made a solid impression in his starting debut for England. He was often a menace in the final third with his driving runs, quick feet and an evidently telepathic combination play with Saka out wide. It helped England dominate their opposition while the player netted the first goal for his country in the second half.
SUBSTITUTES
Tammy Abraham: 8/10
Tammy Abraham made a solid impression after coming on for Foden at the start of the second half. His imposing physical presence gave his team the extra edge going forward while the AS Roma forward netted one himself late in the proceedings.
Ben Chilwell: 7/10
Ben Chilwell offered optimum attacking service in the second half, as he largely operated on the left-hand side, thus allowing Saka to shift into his favoured right flank.
Conor Gallagher: 7/10
Conor Gallagher offered a lot of dynamism and aggression to the England midfield after coming on for Phillips at half-time. The Crystal Palace midfielder certainly has a future with the national team.
Reece James: 7/10
Reece James appeared in the 63rd minute when he replaced Harry Kane. It was a smart move by Gareth Southgate, who opted to give Abraham more freedom upfront.
John Stones: N/A
A late replacement for Smith Rowe. Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
