Wembley was the place where England got a visit from San Marino in the first World Cup Qualifier for 2022. We got player ratings.
The England National Team had a relatively easy match against San Marino as the first World Cup Qualifier for 2022. Gareth Southgate was aware that he could use many players who don’t usually star in more complicated matches. Sadly, San Marino is not a great measure to test the squad. However, they are a great candidate to test new and inexperienced players. Every time they play a major squad in Europe, they tend to get at least five goals. Today was no different against the Three Lions, who had no mercy against them.
After all, it was an official World Cup Qualifier and they had to take it seriously. In the first half, Mason Mount led his teammates to score three goals that allowed them to get more confident for the second half. James Ward-Prowse scored his first-ever goal for England after an assist from Ben Chilwell. Calvert-Lewin also scored one after an assist from Reece James. England’s full-backs were on fire tonight as well.
Watkins has his dream debut.
After the break, Calvert-Lewin got his brace after an assist from Jesse Lingard and England’s fourth goal of the evening. But the main moment of the night went to Ollie Watkins, who got his debut for the national team at age 25. Although late, Ollie has been fantastic for Aston Villa this season and he earned his call-up.
In response, he scored on his debut after a wonderful collective chance created by the English squad. We frankly lost count of all the times they touched the ball on the fifth goal, it was England’s own tiki-taka. It is safe to say that the Three Lions are more than ready for the more difficult matches against Albania and Poland over the next week.
Player ratings
England: Pope (7), Coady (7), Stones (8), Chilwell (7), James (7), Ward-Prowse (8), Lingard (7), Mount (9), Phillips (7), Sterling (7), Calvert-Lewin (8).
Bench: Foden (7), Bellingham (7), Mings (5), Trippier (7), Watkins (7).
San Marino: Benedettini (4), Palazzi (4), Brolli (5), Battistini (5), Grandoni (5), Rossi (5), Golinucci (4), Hirsch (4), Berardi (4), Lunadei (5), Nanni (5).
Bench: Mularoni (5), Ceccaroli (5), Battistini (5), Giardi (5), D’Addario (5).
Feel free to make your pick on player’s ratings and performances using the widget below.
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