Ollie scores on debut for Domin-ant Three Lions THE VERDICT: ENGLAND 5 SAN MARINO 0
OLLIE Watkins scored on his international debut as England cantered to victory against San Marino, but Gareth Southgate’s men should have made more of their dominance against the world’s worst side in this World Cup qualifier.
While a shot at European glory on home soil is just months away, the main focus right now is the road to Qatar and the 2018 semi-finalists took a simple first step towards next year’s tournament last night.
It was always going to be a case of how many England would score against San Marino rather than the outcome at empty Wembley, where Southgate did not get the ruthless edge he called for despite running out 5-0 winners.
Southampton skipper James Wardprowse opened the scoring – and his international account – against the side ranked 210th and last in the world before Everton striker Dominic Calvert-lewin headed home.
Raheem Sterling, captaining the side in the absence of the rested Harry Kane, added a deflected third, which would be all England managed in the first half despite getting away 22 shots.
Poor finishing and fine saves from inspired San Marino goalkeeper Elia Benedettini kept the scoreline down, just as it did in the second half.
Rejuvenated Jesse Lingard marked his international return with an assist for Calvert-lewin, whose replacement Watkins coolly opened his
international account as the clock wound down.
Watkins made the most of his 27-minute England opportunity by scoring England’s fifth, collecting Foden’s pass and working an angle to slot home on his debut.
That would be the end of the scoring, England cantering to a 5-0 win although they will be disappointed not to have made more of a dominant night.
Watkins told ITV: “It’s unbelievable, it’s what I’ve dreamt about to be
honest. All day in the hotel I was just thinking about ‘I hope I get a chance and just enjoy it and get that opportunity to potentially score’ but I didn’t know it would happen. I’m speechless.
“It’s been a good journey. I just feel honoured that I can come out here and pull on the shirt and get the chance to play with the players I’m playing with and even score on my debut. I couldn’t write it, I’m over the moon.”
On his chances of making the squad for the European Championship, Watkins said: “I’ve just got to take each game as it comes, focus on my club form as well, play consistently for Aston Villa and score there and help my team to push up the table and hopefully get into Europe and then see where we go from there.”
England manager Southgate was happy with the performance, saying: “I was really pleased with not only the way we moved the ball quickly and the interchange of positions, but the way we pressed when we lost the ball highlighted the mentality of the team for the whole 90 minutes.
“Of course it’s an opponent we should beat but I thought they went about their job really well.
“I thought the midfield players moved the ball really well. Kalvin Phillips, I was really pleased for him. He’s used the ball well but his athleticism around the pitch was good.
“Mason Mount in the first half was excellent, set the tone. Good to see Jesse Lingard look like he’s enjoying his football again so I thought there were a lot of good things.”
ENGLAND: Pope, James (Trippier 45), Coady, Stones (Mings 45), Chilwell, Ward-prowse, Phillips, Mount (Bellingham 45), Lingard, Calvertlewin (Watkins 63), Sterling (Foden 45). Subs not used: Johnstone, Rice, Henderson, Kane, Dier, Shaw, Maguire.
SAN MARINO: Elia Benedettini, Manuel Battistini, Brolli, Rossi Grandoni (Ceccaroli 55), Jose Hirsch (Mularoni 55), Golinucci (Michael Battistini 71), Lunadei (Giardi 79), Palazzi, Berardi (D’addario 79), Nicola Nanni. Subs not used: Zonzini, Luca Nanni, Simone Benedettini, Conti Fabbri, Stimac, Zafferani.
Goals: England – Ward-prowse (14), Calvertlewin (21, 53), Sterling (31), Watkins (83). Bookings: England – Mings.
Referee: Kirill Levnikov.
Next up: Albania (a) Sunday, 5pm.