England was on the right side of one of the favorable football results in World Cup qualifying. They beat Hungary 4-0 away from home with all their goals coming in the second half. Less than two months after their heartbreak in the Euro 2020 final, England got their World Cup qualification journey underway. They had to deal with a hostile Hungary crowd with a certain section racially abusing the English players.
Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Harry Maguire, and Declan Rice all got their names on the scoresheet in the second half. The victory was important for them to continue their momentum into the World Cup. They have the lead in Group I with a perfect record so far with Poland four points behind them.
Player ratings
Hungary: Gulacsi (4), Kecskes (6), Orban (5), A Szalai (6), Bolla (5), Schafer (6), Kleinheisler (6), Fiola (6), Szoboszlai (5), A Szalai (6), Sallai (5).
Subs: Salloi (5), Varga (5), Gazdag (n/a).
England: Pickford (6), Shaw (7), Maguire (7), Stones (6), Walker (6), Phillips (7), Rice (8), Mount (7), Grealish (8), Sterling (8), Kane (6).
Subs: Lingard (n/a), Saka (n/a), Henderson (n/a).
Man of the match: Raheem Sterling
Managers Reaction
England boss Gareth Southgate: “I was very pleased with the first half, we were in total control of the game, controlled possession, and were playing the right types of passes, just not connecting in that final third. We had so much of the ball we knew they would tire, we had great chances to score more goals.” he added. “The first couple of goals came from turnovers and quick counter-attacks, we used the ball well all night. There is not much between the two halves, they were open and the goals came. We have made a very difficult game look quite comfortable.”
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