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England qualify for Euro 2020 with thumping victory over tame Montenegro at Wembley

Harry Kane became the first England player ever to score consecutive hat-tricks at Wembley - Action Images via Reuters
Harry Kane became the first England player ever to score consecutive hat-tricks at Wembley - Action Images via Reuters

The 1,000th England game in history and still there are some things that remain beyond reasonable explanation when it comes to the team’s support, the latest of which on this night was what sounded like the booing of Joe Gomez by parts of the Wembley crowd.

It certainly seemed that way when the Liverpool defender came on in the 70th minute for Mason Mount and, unless you have spent the past week in complete news isolation, it was hard not to make some connection with the events that led to Raheem Sterling being excluded from this game. That, of course, was the confrontation instigated by the Manchester City man at St George’s Park this week in which Gomez was blameless, and the man who compromised in the aftermath.

Why did they do it? It is hard to tell why certain England crowds with their divided loyalties turn on players the way they do, and the boos seemed only to accompany Gomez’s arrival and nothing else. By then the 77,277 at Wembley might have grown tired of this goal-avalanche, and they were certainly distracted by paper aeroplanes and the old Mexican wave but even so, it was impossible to ignore. Sterling watched the game from the stands, appearing at the start for a presentation, and was on camera applauding Gomez’s introduction to the game.

This was the game in which England qualified emphatically for Euro 2020, a demolition of a defensively feeble opponent, including a Harry Kane hat-trick which took him to 31 goals in 44 caps and sixth place in the all-time goalscorers’ list. There was a first England goal for Tammy Abraham. This was a promising performance from a young team and yet the crowd’s response to Gomez – unjustified, inexplicable – will ensure that the saga of the week will rumble on for Gareth Southgate.

To mark the 1,000th game, the Football Association brought out a few legends at half-time and many former managers were there too, on a day when old recriminations were intended to be laid aside. It had been a very difficult week for the current England manager. It will concern him that there is to be a backlash against Gomez who, having been attacked by Sterling, did nothing more than agree that the City man should not be sent home from this camp, as was the original decision.

As it stands, Sterling will be back in contention for the game against Kosovo in Pristina on Sunday. The defeat for the Kosovans to the Czech Republic means that England’s opponents cannot finish second in Group A even if they win. That game is the biggest of irrelevances and Southgate may well decide that a few of his players can have the weekend off.

Perhaps Southgate was wondering as the minutes ticked down to half-time, and the goals did not stop coming, whether he should give a version of the Brendan Rodgers’ half-time team-talk at St Mary’s last month. That being the one that say a team within sight of a record scoreline should never stop trying to score goals - or perhaps he was just relieved that the team had moved on.

Ben Chilwell - Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Ben Chilwell had a superb night for England, with three assists Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Raheem Sterling had been pitchside at the start of the night, unavailable for selection but still available to collect his 50-cap silver presentation plate, the kind of clunky commemorative ornament the Football Association have been handing out for more than a century. Sterling looked a little sheepish as he shook hands with FA chairman Greg Clark, and had his picture taken alongside fellow half-centurion Jordan Henderson.

It was the youngest England side in 60 years for the 1,000th game in the team’s history, and by way of returning the compliment Montenegro fielded the most open defence England are ever likely to face in another 1,000 games. The cannon fodder of previous qualification campaigns – Andorra, San Marino – used to pack the defence and settle in for the siege. Montenegro were here to play and they created a couple of good chances that tested Jordan Pickford although their defending created many more for their hosts.

Raheem Sterling at Wembley - Credit: ACTION IMAGES
Raheem Sterling was in the crowd at Wembley Credit: ACTION IMAGES

There was a Kane hat-trick in the space of 37 minutes, and a hat-trick of assists for Ben Chilwell in 24 minutes. More or less everything struck or headed goalward found the Montenegro net save a few heroic moments from goalkeeper Milan Mijatovic. There was a moment when the centre-half Marko Simic slid in for a simple tackle, missed the ball and just continued sliding into touch. It was one of those kind of nights for the opposition, bottom of the qualifying group.

At half-time it was tempting to wonder whether the assembled greats of the past paraded on the pitch fancied a substitute’s appearance to nudge the cap count upwards, and it would have been marvellous to see a second half forward line of, say, Wayne Rooney and Trevor Francis. Both would have been capable of burying some of the chances presented, starting with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first England goal since June 2017 in the 11th minute.

Marcus Rashford - Credit: ACTION IMAGES
Montenegro struggled to deal with Marcus Rashford's pace Credit: ACTION IMAGES

That was drilled in from Chilwell’s left to right ball to the back post. The second was a Kane header when he held off the Montenegro challenge with considerable ease to head in Chilwell’s cross. Another simple Kane header from a Chilwell cross six minutes later made it three. Marcus Rashford lashed in the fourth after Harry Maguire’s header had been well saved by Mijatovic. Kane completed his hat-trick, his 31st goal for England, well before half-time when he held off some second-rate Montenegro challenges in the box to score.

England circulated the ball well and the delivery from full-back had been excellent. So too the finishing. Still, Pickford made two fine saves, the first from Simic’s header direct from a corner on 27 minutes and then again when Montenegro captain Fatos Beciraj ran clear on goal later and could not beat the England goalkeeper.  

There was a stunning second half own goal from centre-half Aleksandar Sofranac for England’s sixth of the night. It meant that the total of own goals scored by England’s opponents over the 1,000 games now stands at 54 – and makes the collective blundering opposition goalscorers the highest single total in the goals scored in the history of the England team.

On as second-half substitute, Abraham slid in to get his first England goal, and continue his fine Chelsea form for his country. A night when everyone should have been satisfied and yet Gomez’s treatment meant that was not the case.

9:57PM

England's Euro 2020 qualification

9:50PM

Captain fantastic

"On a night when England played their 1,000th international someone had to seize the occasion for some personal landmarks. That someone, inevitably, was Harry Kane."

Jason Burt from Wembley on England's hat-trick hero.

9:37PM

An historic night

9:33PM

Full-time: England 7 Montenegro 0

And that is that.

England record a very impressive, resounding win over Montenegro to secure their spot at Euro 2020.

Roll on next summer!

9:33PM

90+2 min: England 7 Montenegro 0

Alexander-Arnold puts a cross over towards Sancho, but the Dortmund winger is a touch offside, the ball rolling out for a corner anyway.

9:32PM

90 min: England 7 Montenegro 0                   

Sancho and Maddison combine well down the left, but Sancho got himself into a bit of traffic and the ball rolls out for a goal-kick.

Two minutes of added time to play.

9:29PM

87 min: England 7 Montenegro 0                   

Chilwell has played beautifully tonight, ladies and gentlemen. It seems a bit deranged to not give the player of the match to someone who scored a hat-trick, but if they don't, Chilwell or Alexander-Arnold - maybe Rashford too - should be first in line.

9:27PM

England's captain

9:25PM

Gooooooooaaaaallll!!   

Abraham'sfirst senior England goal comes after Chilwell puts in a gorgeous ball down the left into the path of Sancho. It was delicate, precise and incisive.

Sancho whips a cross across the face of goal and Chelsea's star striker is able to stab home.

Magnificent seven.

9:23PM

82 min: England 6 Montenegro 0                 

Chilwell wins a corner for England, as Alexander-Arnold attempts a first-time shot - with plenty of time and space - on the edge of the penalty area.

But it's well blocked by Montenegro, eventually travelling out for a goal-kick.

9:20PM

79 min: England 6 Montenegro 0                 

Sancho is dispossessed just outside the Montenegro penalty area as England were looking dangerous once again.

Boljevic breaks down the right but his attempted cross is calamitous. He catches it with his left foot before throttling with his right, and the ball flies directly into the crowd for a goal-kick.

9:17PM

76 min: England 6 Montenegro 0               

Vesovic thrusts forward past Alexander-Arnold, but he has no support and England clear.

They're able to launch a counter of their own, too, but Vukcevic gets back well to thwart Rashford.

The three new substitutes haven't really put a foot wrong, but they haven't managed to reinstall England's first-half vim either.

9:15PM

73 min: England 6 Montenegro 0               

A teasing ball from Alexander-Arnold nearly gives Abraham a chance of a header, but Mijatovic sweeps up well.

England begin another patient attack, knocking it around on halfway. Montenegro never look like they have even the slightest hope of winning the ball back of their own accord. It would have to be an England error.

9:11PM

70 min: England 6 Montenegro 0             

Rashford with a cutting ball into Abraham, but the Chelsea striker can't control. It's well tidied up, however, and Mount finds some space in the box, but his attempted shot is well blocked by Simic. Maddison fouls the Montenegrin in the follow-up, and the visitors can clear.

Mount is leaving the field now, for Gomez. Play nicely please, Joe.

Sterling appears on-camera and visibly applauds his England teammate. Nice to see.

9:08PM

Gooooooaaaaaaaalllllll!!

Out of nothing, Rashford alights the field.

He storms into the area, taking him past the Montenegro defence. His ball into the box is too high for Sancho, who has the goal at his mercy, and he can only club it backwards off his shoulder.

Mount's follow-up ricochets heavily off Sofranac's knee, and it will go down as an own-goal.

That's six.

9:06PM

64 min: England 5 Montenegro 0             

All a bit flat here still, with both teams actually content to be patient and just keep hold of the ball when they have it.

Entertainment comes in the form of the ball hitting the referee. Under new protocols, that means we're going to have a drop-ball.

9:02PM

61 min: England 5 Montenegro 0           

Winks reads a Montenegro pass intelligently, cutting it out on halfway as England move forward. But it's still a little flat as England are coasting.

Maddison flicks a chip over the defence for Rashford as England win a corner. Chilwell slashes the corner in, and Maguire moves well in the box but he can't get over the top of the header.

That's 15 minutes without a goal for England.

8:59PM

59 min: England 5 Montenegro 0           

Alexander-Arnold plays a lovely ball into Mount, but the England midfielder can't control the bobbling ball as it rolls for a goal-kick.

Meanwhile...

8:57PM

56 min: England 5 Montenegro 0         

Maddison is on for Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abraham is on for Kane. Kane's night is done, finishing on a hat-trick.

8:56PM

55 min: England 5 Montenegro 0         

Montenegro look to build an attack around halfway but the ball is given away cheaply.

In a flash, Alexander-Arnold swipes a ball down the lane to Sancho and Montenegro are back under the cosh again. They get back in numbers, however, to snuff out England's momentum. England keep the ball patiently, however, and there's a chance!

Sancho, Kane and Alexander-Arnold combine, the latter whipping a ball into the box. Kane gets his foot to it, and it's well saved again, and Mount knocks the rebound in, but he was offside.

Montenegro have switched to a back five now, since half-time. Bit late now lads!

8:53PM

52 min: England 5 Montenegro 0       

It's a bit flat at the start of this half, as Oxlade-Chamberlain gives away a foul inside England's half.

But it's wasted as Alexander-Arnold shepherds the ball for a goal-kick.

Replays show the last touch was by Alexander-Arnold, however.

When it's going for you, it's really going for you.

8:50PM

49 min: England 5 Montenegro 0       

But England come straight back.

Winks, Mount and Sancho combine well inside the Montenegrin half.

There's been an injury to Beqiraj as he is caught accidentally on the throat by Stones, so England's momentum is momentarily halted.

8:48PM

47 min: England 5 Montenegro 0     

England build patiently again, with Maguire and Stones having plenty of time on the ball. Rashford is impeded, before he puts in a delicate chip to Chilwell. He crosses into the area, but keeper Mijatovic - ironically Montenegro's best player - claims the cross and Montenegro clear.

8:46PM

The players are back out

England's record victory is 13-0, so they'll have to do well to beat that this half.

Raspopovic is on at right-back for Montenegro. He is on debut; what a time for it...

8:38PM

Ruthless England

8:31PM

Half-time: England 5 Montenegro 0

Good half.

Harry Kane became England's highest-scoring captain with 24 goals, thanks to his first-half hat-trick.

Laced between that were goals from Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rashford.

England have been brutal, efficient and ruthless in attack. It has been poetic at times, with Sancho, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexander-Arnold terrorising the left-side of the Montenegrin defence.

Pickford has been called into action twice, however, with England's defence seemingly a touch shaky. Pickford had to deny a rocketing header from Simic first up, before Beqiraj - who has not scored for Montenegro in two years, and is their most-capped player - broke clear between England's centre-backs. Pickford saved the day again, although Beqiraj's shot was poor.

8:31PM

44 min: England 5 Montenegro 0     

England are happy to be patient, dabbing the ball about on halfway, waiting for the auspicious moment to strike.

Great build-up between Winks, Mount and Sancho gets the latter in behind wide right, but his cross is blocked.

Kane picks the ball up on the left, before crossing into Sancho, but there's too much on it and the ball trickles out for a goal-kick.

No added time. And Montenegro breathe a sigh of relief.

8:29PM

43 min: England 5 Montenegro 0   

England come back again through Rashford, with the ball pinballing between him and Oxlade-Chamberlain, before Rashford's pace takes him by defenders, but his shot is well blocked and England have a corner.

Headed away well though this time (finally) and Montenegro prevent a sixth goal, for the time being at least...

8:26PM

40 min: England 5 Montenegro 0   

Before tonight, no England player had ever scored three goals in consecutive appearances at Wembley. But Kane has just done that, following his hat-trick against Bulgaria last time out.

But Beqiraj gets in behind! He's one-on-one with Pickford after he bisected England's centre-backs, but his shot is straight at the England keeper and danger is averted.

Scintillating going forward but still a few question marks at the back for England.

8:22PM

Gooooaaaaaalllll!

And it's Kane with the hat-trick!

Alexander-Arnold puts a great ball in to the England captain and his first touch is sumptuous. He swerves around the defender and finished very well into the bottom left corner of the goal

Kane's third hat-trick for England, and his 31st goal.

8:20PM

35 min: England 4 Montenegro 0 

Montenegro can't keep hold of the ball at all - they look totally broken by a scintillating first-quarter blitz from England.

Kane has a pop from about 40 yards out - it was horrendous to be honest. Finished nearer a throw-in than a goal.

8:19PM

32 min: England 4 Montenegro 0 

England are tearing up the right flank, with Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sancho and Alexander-Arnold terrorising Radunovic and co.

Sancho puts a neat ball into the area, that is semi-cleared, before Rashford attempts an audacious backheel which is stopped well by Mijatovic.

There's a bit of argy-bargy off the ball and Vesovic receives a yellow for a nasty tackle on Rashford and subsequent squaring up. Could have been red really.

8:16PM

Goooaaaalllllll!

Rashfordwith a great finish into the bottom right corner.

Oxlade-Chamberlain put a wonderful ball into the box, Maguire had a free header that Mijatovic kept out superbly, but when the ball comes back out to Rashford he makes no mistake.

England 4 Montenegro 0 after 30 minutes. It says quite a lot that Montenegro are 4-0 down and their best player has been goalkeeper Mijatovic.

8:15PM

26 min: England 3 Montenegro 0

England's attacking has been confident and precise and, if they remain confident, there are plenty more goals in this match.

Alexander-Arnold picks out Sancho with a terrific lofted pass down the right, Radunovic can only knock it out for a corner.

8:13PM

26 min: England 3 Montenegro 0

Great save from Pickford!

Simic gets in front of Maguire at a corner and absolutely rockets a header towards goal. It's a great save from the Everton keeper, diving up to his left at the near post.

8:10PM

Gooooooaaaaaaalllll!!!

Mount finds some space in the middle of the park, before unleashing Rashford just outside the penalty box.

Rashford takes it to the byline, and Vesovic nudges it out for a corner. He could do nothing more.

Then Kane gets his head to another one, and it's woeful defending, but it's the easiest goal he'll score in an England shirt. Mijatovic with no chance again. Just a slight flick from an unmarked Kane.

This could get ugly; England are cruising.

8:07PM

21 min: England 2 Montenegro 0

No England player has ever scored consecutive hat-tricks at Wembley. Kane did it the last time he was here, and he has one against his name already tonight, and he could have had two.

It's all England, here, as they pass and move beautifully to launch another attack, until Rashford is dispossessed, after nut-megging Jovovic

8:04PM

Gooooaaaaaaaaalllll!

That was like a training run!

England have a free-kick on the left, Chilwell curls one into the box and the slightest glance from Kane leaves Mijatovic with no chance.

England 2 Montenegro 0

8:03PM

17 min: England 1 Montenegro 0   

Vesovic with a strong, mazy run down the right takes him past Chilwell and Winks, before Maguire restores some order to procedings to halt the Montenegrin, admittedly conceding a corner.

England clear the corner and immediately launch a counter.

Kane travels in midfield, before Alexander-Arnold slides the ball through for a searing Rashford, who's one-on-one with the keeper, but Mijatovic makes a corking save.

8:00PM

14 min: England 1 Montenegro 0   

Another chance for England and it should have been two!

Sancho is causing Montenegro all kinds of trouble on the right, and he curls a cross into Kane, and the England captain seemed to stumble as he miscued his header towards goal.

Mijatovic looks like he did well, but the replay suggests that a Montenegro defender got his hand in the way....

What was that about VAR?

7:57PM

Goooooooaaaaallllll!!!!

It's a wonderful finish from Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Chilwell flights a wonderful ball to an onrushing Ox, who's in behind on the right, and he flashes a shot across the keeper into the far bottom post.

England 1 Montenegro 0

7:55PM

8 min: England 0 Montenegro 0 

England again looking comfortable with the ball at their feet, until Alexander-Arnold gives the ball away with a sloppy pass.

A reminder, too, that there is no VAR tonight. Thankfully.

7:53PM

8 min: England 0 Montenegro 0 

Sancho wins a free-kick on the far right sideline, after he tried to cut inside Radunovic.

Alexander-Arnold whips the free-kick in but there wasn't enough curl and the goalkeeper can gather without incident.

7:51PM

6 min: England 0 Montenegro 0

Rashford and Chilwell link nicely down the left as England enjoy some time on the ball.

Before there's a chance! Sancho gets in behind on the right, but his cross can't quite find Kane in the box, and Mijatovic boots the ball clear in a panic.

7:49PM

4 min: England 0 Montenegro 0

Montenegro look to launch an attack of their own as Beqiraj wins a corner, which is headed away emphatically by Kane.

Jovovic gets forward on the right and is picked out with a lovely pass, but when the ball makes its way to the left Montenegro's passing is sloppy and Alexander-Arnold can shepherd it out for a goal-kick.

7:47PM

2 min: England 0 Montenegro 0

Mount gets us underway at a Wembley which is half-to-three-quarters full.

Rashford attacks down the left flank as England look to make a positive start. Chilwell and Rashford combine nicely, but Mount's ball has slightly too much on it and Montenegro can clear with a goal-kick.

7:43PM

Kick-off is imminent

#SouthgateOut is trending on Twitter. And I don't think it's ironic.

The decision to leave out James Maddison and include Mason Mount has really ruffled some feathers.

Regardless, kick-off is next...

7:40PM

An historic night

Any England player with more than 50 caps, or anyone who has captained England, or any member of the 1966 World Cup-winning team has been invited to tonight's game by the FA and has been presented with a personalised commemorative shield.

Incidentally, Jermaine Defoe is a) England's most-used substitute, and b) the only Tottenham Hotspur player to have won more caps than Harry Kane, with 49. It's Kane's 44th tonight.

The teams are out, and here come the anthems...

7:33PM

On that England starting line-up...

7:24PM

Live from Wembley

I believe the word is 'uncanny'...

Fans dressed as former England players enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between England and Montenegro at Wembley Stadium - Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Credit: GETTY IMAGES

7:12PM

Southgate on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The England manager has been chatting to Gabriel Clarke pre-match:

He's got speed, he's got power, he's a goal threat. He's able to press, as is Mount, and that's the way we want to play, high up the pitch.

We've missed having him with us as he's been in great form with his club - four goals in the last few games for his club.

But our job is to win the game and play well.

Meanwhile, Roy Keane is chatting about a 4am bust-up he once had with Peter Schmeichel, after which Sir Alex Ferguson labelled them both a "disgrace". Never a dull day with Keane.

7:04PM

England's most memorable matches

Ahead of England's 1000th international - tonight against Montenegro - we asked Telegraph Sport's football writers to pick their most memorable England matches.

I'm gutted to report that the 5-1 victory over Germany in Berlin - where Emile Heskey (and others) made the great Oliver Kahn look a little foolish - does not feature.

You can read that, here.

England celebrate the last 16 penalty shootout win over Colombia at the 2018 World Cup
England celebrate the last 16 penalty shootout win over Colombia at the 2018 World Cup

6:49PM

Rob Spray

The circumstances surrounding the death of England fan Rob Spray remain a mystery. Rob died on a 30th birthday party to Sofia, on a weekend following the England football team in Bulgaria.

Tonight, a group of England supporters plan to hold up a banner in his memory during the 32nd minute of the Montenegro game.

You can read his story, here.

Rob-Spray-West-Bromwich-Albion-shirt
Rob-Spray-West-Bromwich-Albion-shirt

6:38PM

The team news is in

Gareth Southgate promised youth, and that is what we've got. The one surprise is perhaps that Leicester City's James Maddison has to settle for a place on the bench, after many tipped him to start this evening.

Average age: 23 years, 255 days. Southgate has named England's youngest starting line-up since 1959.

6:34PM

Match stats

  • England have won their past six home matches - their best winning run since a run of nine between March 2014 and November 2015.

  • England have won their past 17 home European Championship and World Cup qualifiers, scoring 55 goals and conceding just six.

  • Montenegro have failed to score in their past four Euro 2020 qualifiers, attempting 36 shots across those games.

  • Captain Harry Kane has been involved in 10 goals in his past four England appearances (six goals, four assists), scoring a hat-trick in his last appearance at Wembley against Bulgaria. No player has ever scored three goals in consecutive appearances at the national stadium.

  • England have scored 27 goals in eight matches in 2019, an average of 3.4 per game, their highest in a calendar year since 1963 (32 in nine games - 3.6). The Three Lions are only one goal behind their tally for 2018 (28 goals) and last scored 30 goals in a calendar year in 1982 (34 goals).

6:25PM

Sterling the missing man

Unless you have been out of the country or living under a large rock for the past five days, then you surely couldn't have missed the fallout surrounding Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez's England training ground bust-up.

But what you might have missed is our chief football writer Sam Wallace's superb summary of what actually happened. You can read that here.

Southgate has stressed since that his decision was right for the team.

"I have to always look at what's right for getting this team to perform for the country. My decision are the only ones that get tested over the following months and years... I don't take any enjoyment from it," he said.

"I wouldn't imagine that he is hugely enthusiastic and I can understand that. He is a massive part of what we do and he is part of the group, but for me the thing is finished.

"Raheem is an excellent player who has been in great form, but we will put out a team full of technical ability and passion and enthusiasm. Everyone in the squad is ready. It's hardly ever any different."

6:14PM

Evening all!

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of England's penultimate Euro 2020 qualifier, against Montenegro at Wembley.

After a slightly turbulent few days, the talking points tonight for Gareth Southgate's men should come from their actions on the field, where they require just a solitary point from their final two games to guarantee qualification to next year's tournament. They face Kosovo on Sunday.

In what is England's 1000th international match, Southgate could field one of their youngest ever sides, the England manager announced on Wednesday.

Southgate picked the youngest England starting side this century when they upset Spain 3-2 in Seville in the Nations League last year and he said the record could be broken again on Thursday.

"It'll be a very young line-up for sure. I think the line-up against Spain was one of the youngest for decades and I think, without sitting down to work it out, we are going to be even younger than that," Southgate told reporters.

"We have had teams of potential and promise forever, but this group went further than most of those last summer. I don't think we were the most experienced or the most talented team during that period but we delivered.

"We are looking forward to [tonight's] game. Not only the opportunity to qualify for the European Championship but also the occasion. England's 1,000th game will be special for everyone associated with the team now and in the past."

James Maddison could make his debut tonight, after the Leicester City playmaker was sent home from last month's game in the Czech Republic due to illness.

Montenegro, meanwhile, are looking for their first win of the competition so far, having registered three draws and four defeats in their qualifying campaign. If they were to pick up an unlikely victory this evening, another first would be broken, too; they have never beaten England.