Records tumble as 10-goal England qualify for World Cup in Kane-inspired rout of San Marino

Harry Kane celebrates for England against San Marino

Harry Kane scored four as England booked their place at the Qatar World Cup after an emphatic 10-0 thumping of San Marino on Monday evening.

It was 6-0 at half-time as the Three Lions skipper notched a brace of penalties as well as two more well-taken strikes, while Harry Maguire and a Filippo Fabbri own goal saw them take complete charge.

After a sluggish start to the second period, England notched four more through debutante Emile Smith Rowe, Tyrone Mings, Tammy Abraham and Bukayo Saka.

It was the first time England had ever scored 10 goals in a competitive match, with San Marino finishing with 10 men after Dante Rossi saw red with just over 20 minutes to go.

England needed just six minutes to take the lead. Maguire, who also opened the scoring against Albania on Friday, met a Foden corner with a powerful header that flew into the back of the net.

England doubled their lead in the 15th minute when Saka cut back inside the area from the left and his low shot was deflected in by defender Fabbri.

Kane confidently struck England’s third from the penalty spot in the 27th minute, his 13th goal for this country in 2021, a new national record.

The spot-kick was awarded in bizarre circumstances as Foden’s acrobatic volley was going well wide. However, the ball brushed off the fingertips of Dante Rossi, who needlessly had his arm in the air.

Kane hit 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 scrambled an effort into the far corner.

Another hat-trick for cut-throat Kane

The Spurs star 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.

Kane’s fourth came moments later when he weaved through the area and fired into the bottom corner, making it 6-0.

Southgate made three changes at the break, with Conor Gallagher handed a debut, while Abraham and Ben Chilwell were also introduced. Maguire, Foden and Phillips all made way.

The Three Lions added an excellent seventh in the 58th minute when Saka’s cross from the right was flicked by Abraham towards the onrushing Smith Rowe, who swept home from 10 yards.

Kane was taken off with 28 minutes to go having pulled level with Gary Lineker on 48 England goals, overtaking Jimmy Greaves on the night.

Three Lions pile on goals

Number eight arrived with just over 20 minutes to go when an Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick was flicked home via the head of Mings.

Jude Bellingham was then unlucky to have a ninth England strike ruled out by VAR after a soft foul by Abraham in the build-up.

The ninth did come, however, with 13 minutes to go when Alexander-Arnold’s ball in was controlled well by Abraham before he swept his effort into the far corner.

And it was 10 (TEN) for England moments later when another Alexander-Arnold delivery was headed home by Saka from close range.

Roll on Qatar!