Raheem Sterling notched his first hat-trick for his country to lead England to a comfortable 5-0 win over the Czech Republic at Wembley in their opening Group A European qualifer.
Sterling started in attack alongside captain Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho, who came in for the injured Marcus Rashford.
The trio combined beautifully for the game’s opening goal as Kane’s reverse pass found Sancho and he squared for Sterling to tap in to complete a move consisting of 25 passes.
Raheem Sterling of England (2L) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the 2020 UEFA European Championships Group A qualifying match between England and Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2019 in London, United K
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Kane then fired home from the penalty spot just before half-time after Sterling was taken out in the box, though it was a harsh call on the visitors.
The Manchester City winger got his second just after the hour mark when he picked up a loose ball, turned the defender and slotted home with his left foot.
Sterling completed the hat-trick minutes later when his effort from distance deflected past Czech keeper Jiri Pavlenka, leading to a standing ovation when he was replaced by debutant Callum Hudson-Odoi.
England's midfielder Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring their third goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group A qualification football match between England and Czech Replublic at Wembley Stadium in London on March 22, 2019.
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The Chelsea teenager created the fifth goal when his shot was saved by Pavlenka but then put into his own net by on-loan Blues defender Tomas Kalas.
The emphatic victory fires England to the top of the group and they will be targeting another win on Sunday away to Montenegro.
TALKING POINT - England's front three a joy to behold, as Gareth's boys get off to a flier
They may have never played together before, but Sancho, Kane and Sterling certainly have the look of a formidable front three going forward, judging by this performance. The match ball has to go to Sterling, but Sancho's contribution won't have gone unnoticed.
Jadon Sancho of England applauds the fans at the final whistle during the 2020 UEFA European Championships group A qualifying match between England and Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom
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There is a reason why the likes of Manchester United have been linked with a £100m move for the teenager. The 18-year-old's energy and confidence gets bums off seats and terrifies defenders. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may not get his hands on him, but Southgate must be loving every minute as his international manager. Playing on the right, England focused many of their attacks down his side. And, with the excellent Sterling on the opposite flank and Kane in the middle, Sancho completed a formidable trio. He may just be the final piece of the jigsaw in this England squad brimming with excitement, raw ability and potential.
And while there is a long, long way to go, England have every right to feel confident this victory will mark the start of an 18-month period that culminates in the Three Lions lifting the European cup on home soil in June 2020.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Raheem Sterling
Everything he touches turns to gold at the moment. The Manchester City forward scored his 22nd, 23rd and 24th goals of the season in another eye-catching performance. A target for the boo-boys a few years ago, Sterling has developed into one of the key players for the Three Lions. This is a player who is clearly blossoming under Pep Guardiola and it's now showing on the international stage.
England's midfielder Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring his third goal, their fourth during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group A qualification football match between England and Czech Replublic at Wembley Stadium in London on March 22, 2019
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PLAYER RATINGS
England: Pickford 6, Walker 7, Keane 6, Maguire 6, Chilwell 7, Henderson 6, Dier N/A, Sancho 8, Alli 5, Sterling 10, Kane 8. Subs: Barkley 7, Rice 6, Hudson-Odoi 7.
Czech Republic: Pavlenka 5, Kaderabek 4, Celustka 4, Kalas 4, Novak 5, Soucek 4, Pavelka 5, Gebre Selassie 4, Darida 5, Janko 4, Schick 5. Subs: Masopust 4, Vydra 5, Skoda N/A
KEY MOMENTS
24' - GOAL! England 1-0 Czech Republic: Sterling breaks the deadlock! A beautifully weighted first-time pass from Kane carves through the Czech defence and finds Sancho on the right. Is he offside? Play continues, and the Dortmund forward squares it for Sterling who, on the slide, pokes it into an empty net. Well worked.
45'+1 - PENALTY TO ENGLAND! Sterling is sandwiched by two defenders, goes to ground and the referee points to the spot! This looks harsh...
45'+ 2 - GOAL! England 2-0 Czech Republic: Opting for power, the goalkeeper gets a hand to Kane's vicious spot-kick but can't keep it out. It's not his best penalty but England are two goals to the good.
Harry Kane of England celebrate after scoring goal during the 2020 UEFA European Championships group X qualifying match between XX and XX at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
63' - GOAL! England 3-0 Czech Republic: Sterling scores his second of the game, and England's third! Walker drives forward with pace and intent. His through-pass searching for Sterling takes a fortunate ricochet off Kalas and ends up in the Manchester City forward's path. With a drop of the shoulder, he turns into space and finishes clinically to put the hosts out of sight.
68' - GOAL! England 4-0 Czech Republic: Sterling with his hat-trick! Everything he touches turns to gold! He lets fly from 25 yards, the ball takes a wicked deflection off a defender, wrong-footing Pavlenka and leaving the Czech goalkeeper with no chance.
84' - GOAL! England 5-0 Czech Republic: Oh dear, Kalas won't want to see this again. Hudson-Odoi drives from the left and powers up a shot at goal. Pavlenka pushes it into the path of Kalas who has time to adjust his feet but inexplicably turns the ball into his own net.
KEY STATS
- England featured two players aged 18 or younger (Hudson-Odoi and Sancho) in an international match for the first time in 138 years, since doing so on February 26th 1881 vs Wales (Thurston Rostron and Jimmy Brown).
- Callum Hudson-Odoi is the youngest player in the history of the England national team to win his first cap in a competitive match (18y 135d), breaking the record held by Duncan Edwards since April 1955 (18y 183d).
- Raheem Sterling is the first England player to score a hat-trick at Wembley since Jermain Defoe in September 2010 (v Bulgaria), netting with each of his three shots in the game.
- Harry Kane has scored each of the last six penalties he has taken for England.
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