World Cup qualifiers: England beat Andorra 4-0 in comfortable return to Wembley
England have beaten Andorra 4-0 in a comfortable, if unspectacular, win at Wembley as their journey to 2021's World Cup continued.
There was a carnival atmosphere under the arch before kick-off as fans showed their appreciation for an unforgettable summer, just 56 days on from the agonising spot-kick loss to Italy.
Cheers and applause filled the stadium as both sides took the knee in a stand against racism. In their previous qualifying game against Hungary in Budapest, England players were racially abused by home fans.
On Sunday, England secured a victory against the side ranked 156th in the world, with Saka completing the scoring to bring a smile to Gareth Southgate’s face and millions across the nation.
While Jesse Lingard hit a brace – his first international goals since November 2018 – and substitute Harry Kane moved onto 40 international goals, there was no more popular scorer than the likeable winger.
Saka missed from the spot against Italy along with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, but showed great character in an impressive performance as he returned to Wembley on Sunday.
Not only did he assist both of Lingard’s goals, but the Arsenal player also celebrated his 20th birthday with a headed effort as England’s 100 per cent World Cup qualification record continued with ease.
“It’s the perfect birthday present for me, I’m really happy we got the win and I could celebrate my birthday like this,” Saka told ITV.
“I think it means a lot, it really made a difference for me, even just now I can hear fans cheering my name.
"It makes me believe everyone supports me through thick and thin and it’s nice."
Patrick Bamford, who like Saka was celebrating his birthday, was getting into good spaces as he looked to net on his debut, with the Leeds striker heading across for Conor Coady to send an overhead kick just over.
Bellingham produced a lovely touch and strike having been found by a raking pass by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who Southgate was trying out in midfield. The teenager hit the side-netting but was offside anyway. Reece James drilled over as fans cheered paper planes being thrown from the stands during a tepid end to a comfortable half.
Bamford fluffed his lines shortly after the second half got under way, with James – who was now playing in midfield – rifling a 25-yard strike off the bar. But England soon ran out of ideas and Southgate turned to Kane, Mason Mount and Jack Grealish in a bid to inject some urgency into their play. The trio managed to do just that in the 72nd minute. Mount was fouled by Christian Garcia after being played in by Grealish, with Kane smashing home the penalty after a video assistant referee check. The spot-kick saw him become England’s joint-fifth highest goalscorer alongside Michael Owen. Andorra had done well to keep England at bay for so long, but their players were looking exhausted and they conceded two more.