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As it happenedended

England vs Kosovo result: Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho star in helter-skelter Euro 2020 qualifier

Follow all the action live as England look to extend their unbeaten Euro 2020 qualifying run

Callum Rice-Coates
Tuesday 10 September 2019 14:03 EDT
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Gareth Southgate praises Harry Kane's England hat-trick

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Jadon Sancho announced himself on the international stage in some style, scoring twice on a night when England's ruthless edge made up for some shambolic defending in a thrilling, high-scoring win against Kosovo.

A sell-out St Mary's crowd bore witness to the most entertaining qualifier in many a year as Gareth Southgate's men continued their march to Euro 2020 with an enthralling, if at times unconvincing, 5-3 victory on the south coast.

Defensive errors gifted Kosovo a shock opener and then second-half hope, but a clinical first half proved decisive as Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane goals were complemented by an own goal and quickfire brace from Sancho in a helter-skelter clash.

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GOAL! England 3-1 Kosovo (Vojvoda OG)

38 minutes

England have a third goal, but it's controversial! Aliti is down injured on the left but England choose to play on, attacking down the right through Sancho. The youngster's ball across is drilled at the feet of Vojvoda, who can only divert it into his own net. Kosovo aren't happy that England didn't put the ball out of play. And manager Challandes is shown a yellow card for his complaints.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 20:24

England 3-1 Kosovo

43 minutes

Kosovo have looked good in patches tonight and will feel unfortunate to be two goals down. But the gulf in quality between the top nations and the rest in international football is clear here.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 20:29

GOAL! England 4-1 Kosovo (Sancho)

44 minutes

And there's the fourth goal! Sterling, who's been brilliant again tonight, races inside from the left and slots the ball into the path of Sancho. He delays his finish, waiting for the goalkeeper to commit before sliding it low into the net. England are dominant now.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 20:29

England 4-1 Kosovo

45 minutes

Three minutes of added time will be played.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 20:31

GOAL! England 5-1 Kosovo (Sancho)

45+2 minutes

England are rampant! Kosovo are far too open, and Sterling is taking full advantage of it. He bursts free down the left again, making his way into the box before prodding the ball into the path of Sancho. It's a tap in for the youngster, who has his second goal in three minutes.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 20:32

Half time: Sterling tests Muric again but there's no sixth goal before the break. England have been ruthless and clinical in this first half, though. 

It all started so well for Kosovo. But they go in at the break four goals down and on the verge of a very heavy defeat. They're a competent footballing side, but their defensive deficiencies have been cruelly exposed here.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 20:35

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 20:37

England get the second half underway. Kosovo's players took a while to come back out onto the pitch. They're clearly not relishing 45 minutes more of Kane, Sterling and Sancho. 

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 20:50

England 5-1 Kosovo

46 minutes

Kosovo have made a half-time change, too: Leart Paqarada has replaced Muslija.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 20:52

England 5-1 Kosovo

48 minutes

Alexander-Arnold is played in behind the Kosovo defence and eventually manages to get a shot off on his left foot. It's straight at Muric, who parries the powerful effort away.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 20:53

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