England vs Albania LIVE: World Cup qualifier result, final score and reaction tonight
Follow all the post-match reaction as England put themselves on the cusp of qualification for the 2022 World Cup with a 5-0 win
England moved to within one point of qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by dismantling Albania 5-0 at Wembley on Friday night.
Within 10 minutes of kick-off, Gareth Southgate’s side had broken the deadlock as Harry Maguire headed home a Reece James free-kick with ease – his celebration drawing the ire of Roy Keane in the ITV studio. Just shy of 10 minutes later, Harry Kane doubled the Three Lions’ lead by netting his own header, courtesy of a chipped assist from Jordan Henderson, who soon made it 3-0 with a tidy close-range finish. Kane would round out a perfect hat-trick before the half-time whistle sounded, first blasting a powerful strike across goal from a tight angle, then scoring a deflected bicycle kick from a corner on the cusp of the break.
England could not find the net again once the action resumed at Wembley, but Southgate took the opportunity to get Jack Grealish, Tammy Abraham, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham on the pitch from the bench, as well as debuting Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe. The win kept Southgate’s team atop Group I of the European qualifying pools, their 23 points one fewer than what is required to ensure England a place at next winter’s world championship in Qatar.
Follow all the fallout and analysis from Wembley:
Line-ups: England vs Albania
Albania XI: Strakosha, Veseli, Kumbulla, Ismajili, Trashi, Bajrami, Gjasula, Bare, Hysaj, Uzuni, Cikalleshi
England closing in on World Cup qualification
Gareth Southgate’s side have one foot in next year’s World Cup group stages but need to finish the job in these last two qualifying matches against Albania and San Marino.
England have a comfortable three point lead over nearest rivals Poland and four points from these last two fixtures will ensure they finish top of Group I and qualify for the tournament.
The Three Lions could even qualify tonight if results go their way and Poland drop points in their fixture against Andorra, that is providing they beat Albania at Wembley.
Gareth Southgate calls on England to take the game to Albania
Gareth Southgate wants absentee-hit England to make amends for last month’s poor performance against Hungary and all but wrap up World Cup qualification by showing their quality against Albania.
A sell-out crowd will flock to Wembley tonight for the final home match of a mammoth international year that saw the Three Lions fall to an agonising Euro 2020 penalty shootout loss to Italy.
England should have another shot at a first trophy since 1966 in Qatar next winter given they boast a three-point cushion over nearest rivals Poland with just two Group I games to go.
Gareth Southgate calls on England to take the game to Albania
The Three Lions were held 1-1 by Hungary in their last outing
England changes
Gareth Southgate makes five changes to his starting XI that drew 1-1 with Hungary back on 12th October. Tyrone Mings settles for a place on the bench as Harry Maguire returns and Ben Chilwell replaces the injured Luke Shaw.
Declan Rice and Mason Mount dropped out of the squad through illness/injury so Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson come into midfield with Reece James also in the line-up as Jack Grealish starts from the bench.
Up top, Harry Kane leads the line with Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling on either side of the England captain.
Line-ups: England vs Albania
England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell, James, Phillips, Henderson, Sterling, Kane, Foden
England vs Albania live coverage
Gareth Southgate wants absentee-hit England to make amends for last month’s poor performance against Hungary and all but wrap up World Cup qualification by showing their quality against Albania
A trip to minnows San Marino provides the ideal final opposition after Friday’s match against obdurate Albania, who Southgate expects a response against following their below par display in last month’s home draw with Hungary.
“We’ve had a good focus this week on making sure we’re on the front foot in the game and making sure that our pressing is better than it was that night and making sure we’re sharp with the ball and move it quickly.
“These teams are well organised and you’ve got to break down a packed defence. Our quality has got to come to the fore.
“But if you can win the ball higher up the pitch you can catch them when they are perhaps a little bit disorganised. They are things that we’ve had a good training week to focus on.”
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