Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

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
Comments
Gareth Southgate praises Harry Kane's England hat-trick

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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.

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

England 5-3 Kosovo 

70 minutes

England have so much space on the break. But they haven't taken advantage of it in this second half. Aliti goes into the book for fouling Sancho and stopping another counter attack, and England will have a free kick within shooting range.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 21:16

England 5-3 Kosovo 

71 minutes

Alexander-Arnold takes the free kick and curls a low effort wide of the post.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 21:16

England 5-3 Kosovo 

72 minutes

Celina finds space on the edge of the box and goes for goal, but powers his shot over the bar. 

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 21:17

England 5-3 Kosovo 

73 minutes

So close! Somehow England don't have a sixth goal. Kane robs Halimi of the ball and plays Sterling through on goal. Muric does just enough to turn his effort from close range against the post, and the ball bounces clear.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 21:18

England 5-3 Kosovo 

74 minutes

Sterling goes close again! A Kosovo attack breaks down and England race away through Sancho on the counter. He sweeps the ball into the path of Sterling, whose shot is deflected and rolls agonisingly past the post.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 21:20

England 5-3 Kosovo 

75 minutes

Keane is next to go for goal, heading a Henderson cross just wide at the near post. This game is being played at a relentless, breathtaking pace.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 21:21

England 5-3 Kosovo 

79 minutes

England are looking to take the pace out of this game now, keeping possession and making Kosovo chase the ball. Time is running out for the visitors.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 21:25

England 5-3 Kosovo 

81 minutes

Another England counter attack breaks down as Barkley looks to slide a pass into the path of Sancho. They've been strangely wasteful in the second half.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 21:27

England 5-3 Kosovo 

83 minutes

Berisha goes into the book for petulantly kicking the ball away. It takes some of the gloss off an excellent night for the Lazio man.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 21:29

England 5-3 Kosovo 

84 minutes

Mason Mount replaces Barkley as England make their first change.

Callum Rice-Coates10 September 2019 21:29

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in