ENGLAND CONTINUED THEIR 100 per cent start in Euro 2020 qualifying as Harry Kane’s hat-trick helped them to a resounding 4-0 win over Bulgaria at Wembley on Saturday.
Gareth Southgate’s side were far from their fluid best in the opening stages, but a third straight win in Group A never looked in doubt after Kane’s opener in the 24th minute.
The Three Lions captain added a second from the penalty spot three minutes into the second half, before teeing up Raheem Sterling for a third.
Kane added another from the spot in the 73rd minute as England warmed up for Tuesday’s visit of the group’s surprise package, Kosovo, in style.
After a subdued start, Kane thought he had given the hosts a 19th-minute lead. The Tottenham striker had strayed into an offside position, however, before tucking away Raheem Sterling’s pass from close range.
He was not to be denied five minutes later, though, taking full advantage of slapstick goalkeeping from Plamen Iliev to score his 23rd international goal.
"Practice. Lots of practice."
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 7, 2019
Harry Kane on his brilliant penalty record for England after scoring two today in a hat-trick performance.#ENGBUL #Euro2020 #VMSport pic.twitter.com/G4umrKMzQO
After a short goal-kick, Iliev’s attempted pass to Vasil Bozhikov was cut out by Sterling, who teed up Kane to stroke home from six yards.
Kane went close again shortly before the interval, heading straight at Iliev from Kieran Trippier’s teasing right-wing cross.
Jordan Pickford kept out Wanderson’s close-range effort a few moments after the restart, before a surging run from Marcus Rashford led to England’s second.
The Manchester United forward was brought down in the area by Nikolay Bodurov, with Kane coolly stroking home the resulting spot-kick.
Kane turned provider for England’s third in the 55th minute, crossing for Sterling to bundle home his ninth international goal from point-blank range.
The 26-year-old added gloss to a superb individual display 17 minutes from time, whipping in from the penalty spot after he had been clumsily brought down in the area by Kristian Dimitrov.
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Had to double-Cech the headline there. Looks like he’s put his football career on ice.
@EK: he won’t fancy the body cechs in ice hockey I would assume.
@Joe Kennedy: you’d have been better off saying nothing Joe
Is that really the wisest move for a man who wore a scrum cap as a goalkeeper and has previously suffered a fractured skull??
@Simon Ryan: that’s what separates you and him Simon. He’s a professional competitor and you’re commenting on the journal.
@Robbie O’ Connor: There will he a coffin separating them if he gets a blow to the head
@Robbie O’ Connor: you should have said “and we’re commenting on the journal”
Ye, didn’t see that one coming….
Why hasn’t the reporter asked if he wears the scrum cap under his ice hockey helmet? These are the questions the public need answered!
@RabidHorizon: like if superman wears a second pair of underwear, but this time actually under his pants.
Least he’ll have a better defence in front of him compared to his last season at Arsenal
Not quite NHL standard but good to see some ice hockey on the 42!