Mueez Ajao
– England clinched their spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a 10-0 away win over San Marino to top Group I on Monday night as Harry Kane scored a second hat trick in as many matches and ended the match with four goals.
– The game was largely a formality for Gareth Southgate’s side table-topping Three Lions, as first-half goals from Harry Maguire, Kane’s four tallies and a San Marino own goal had England up 6-0 at the break.
– Maguire struck early in the first half with a towering header, before Filippo Fabbri redirected a Bukayo Saka shot into his own net and Kane converted from the spot following a VAR-assisted call for handball against the hosts.
Also Read: Kane hat trick, as England cruise to 5-0 win
– Emile Smith Rowe set up Kane for his second of the opening half and he added another from the penalty spot, then his fourth of the opening 45 minutes with a clinical finish from close range.
– Smith Rowe opened his senior England account with a crisp strike to start the second half and Kane was withdrawn around the hour mark.
– Substitutes Tammy Abraham and Tyrone Mings scored goals as the second half wore on and Saka added another as England continued to make short work of Group I minnows San Marino.
– The result clinched England’s spot atop their qualifying group ahead of Poland, who were forced into the playoff round after a loss to Hungary.
