England took another step towards confirming qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a predictably easy victory in Andorra.
Gareth Southgate’s side dropped their first points in qualifying when they drew in Poland in their last game but there was no threat of anything other than a very comfortable win against the country ranked 156th in the Fifa rankings.
England rested big guns such as captain Harry Kane but, with Phil Foden outstanding, they had far too much for Andorra and quickly established their superiority.
Foden played in Jadon Sancho to set up Ben Chilwell for his first England goal after 17 minutes, then the Manchester City youngster delivered the perfect pass for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka to add a second five minutes before the break.
Tammy Abraham was desperate to get on the scoresheet after his good form with Roma won him a recall, then a start with Kane on the bench and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin injured, and he was on the mark when he stole on to Sancho’s cross to score on the hour.
James Ward-Prowse added England’s fourth late on, scoring from a rebound after his penalty was saved by Andorra keeper Josep Gomes, before Jack Grealish produced a solo effort for his first international goal from England keeper Sam Johnstone’s superb throw.
It was also a significant game for Ukrainian referee Kateryna Mozul, who became the first woman to officiate a senior England men’s game, and exercised excellent control throughout in an occasionally spiky encounter.
BBC
