England make it four wins from four
England’s scoring form was on display again in European Championships qualifying yesterday. So was Cristiano Ronaldo’s. England made it four wins out of four in Group A with a 5-3 win over Kosovo and Ronaldo netted four goals in European champions Portugal’s 5-1 away win at Lithuania.
On a night of heavy scoring, it took the fivetime Golden Ball winner’s international tally to 93. Ronaldo might well hit a century before next year’s tournament, considering Portugal still face Lithuania at home and twice play lowly Luxembourg.
“I’m going through a good phase, but the team has been playing well too,” Ronaldo said. “I’m enjoying this moment not only because of my goals, but also because of the team’s performances in recent years. I just have to keep helping the team.”
Striker Harry Kane moved onto a more modest 26 for England, whose fans got a jolt when midfielder Valon Berisha put the visiting side ahead after just 35 seconds.
They were soon reassured by Raheem Sterling’s equaliser and Kane’s latest goal for England, both inside the opening 20 minutes at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on a rare occasion England wasn’t playing at Wembley Stadium.
By halftime, fans had been treated to five home goals, including 19-year-old winger Jadon Sancho scoring his first two for England.
But the second half proved more inspiring for Kosovo’s fans as they witnessed a mini-comeback, with Berisha enjoying a memorable night with a fine second goal curled into the top corner. Kane could have netted a brace, too, but saw his penalty saved by Arijanet Muric.
World Cup winners France laboured at times against a well-organised Andorra side in a 3-0 home win, with Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann missing a penalty for the second straight qualifier.
After Kingsley Coman found a way through in the first half, centre half Cle´ment Lenglet and substitute Wissam Ben Yedder added goals after the break.
England’s attack is purring, with 19 goals in four games, but alarming questions will be asked of the defence.
From a commanding position of 5-1 up, England leaked two goals after the break — one a penalty conceded by the expensively-acquired Manchester United centre back Harry Maguire.
Kosovo’s opening goal was the result of a careless pass from defender Michael Keane.
England haven’t lost a qualifier for the World Cup or European Championship in 10 years, but coach Gareth Southgate knows his defence has to eradicate sloppy errors if his side wants to win Euro 2020.
“The outstanding play was obvious,” Southgate said, “and the errors were obvious.”
The Czech Republic overtook Kosovo to move into second place in Group A with nine points after a 3-0 win at Montenegro and host England on October 11.
Rampaging Ronaldo
Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot in the seventh minute, before Lithuania hit back through Vytautas Andriuskevicius’ header.
Portugal’s second goal was given to Ronaldo before being changed to an own goal, and then given back to him on UEFA’s website. The bizarrelooking 62nd-minute effort was a low shot from outside the area. It was saved by Lithuania goalkeeper Ernestas Setkus, before the ball bounced off the goalkeeper’s back and went in.
Three minutes later, Ronaldo tapped in from Bernardo Silva’s pass, and the attacking midfielder set him up again in the 76th.
William Carvalho completed the scoring in stoppage time against last-placed Lithuania.
Portugal are second in Group B with eight points and five behind Ukraine, who have 13 points having played one game more.
Powerful striker Aleksandar Mitrovic netted twice as third-place Serbia won 3-1 away to Luxembourg.