Five-star England dismantles Serbia
England thumped 10-man Serbia 5-0 in Belgrade to take a giant leap towards 2026 World Cup qualification, with Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi all scoring their first goals for the Three Lions.
Harry Kane, on the day he surpassed Bobby Moore to go fifth on his country's all-time appearances list, was also on the scoresheet along with Marcus Rashford, as England producedits most impressive display under Thomas Tuchel.
The Three Lions have five wins from five qualifiers and sit seven points clear in Group K, meaning they could seal qualification as early as the October international break.
England's first major chance to go ahead came in the 29th minute as Morgan Rogers slipped Madueke in behind. The Arsenal winger's shot deflected into the path of Kane, but the England captain could not apply a finishing touch.
Kane did not have to wait long to get on the scoresheet, though, as he nodded Declan Rice's corner in off the post after being left totally unmarked in the 33rd minute.
A fine move involving three of England's young players resulted in the second goal just three minutes later. Elliot Anderson's pass was superbly flicked in behind by Rogers, allowing Madueke to streak into the area and finish emphatically.
The contest was put beyond Serbia early in the second half, with Konsa finishing on the rebound after Djorde Petrovic parried Anthony Gordon's strike.
Serbia had to play the final 18 minutes plus stoppage time a man down, as Nottingham Forest's Nikola Milenkovic was shown a straight red card for scything down Kane as the last man.
Guehi – who almost converted in the build-up to Konsa's goal – got in on the act from Rice's in-swinging free-kick, while Rashford kept his cool from the penalty spot in the 90th minute after Strahinja Erakovic brought down Ollie Watkins.
