England thrash San Marino 10-0 qualify for World Cup

Harry Kane scored four goals in England’s 10-0 demolition of San Marino as Gareth Southgate’s side made official their place in next year’s World Cup finals in Qatar on Monday.

In truth England needed only a point against the world’s 210th and lowest-ranked footballing nation to seal top spot in Group I so the only real question was how many goals they would deliver to mark the occasion.

Kane duly filled his boots, following up his hat-trick in the 5-0 win against Albania on Friday with four goals before halftime, including two penalties, swelling his England tally to 48 to move joint third on the list alongside Gary Lineker.

Harry Maguire began the rout with a sixth-minute header and Filippo Fabbri scored an own goal before Kane took over to put England 6-0 ahead before halftime.

Emile Smith-Rowe marked his first England start with the seventh and even after Kane was substituted the punishment continued for San Marino who had Dante Rossi sent off for a second yellow card.

Tyrone Mings, substitute Tammy Abraham and Bukayo Saka all got on the scoresheet in a farcically one-sided match that did little for the reputation of international football.

Swiss thump Bulgaria to seal World Cup place ahead of Italy
Switzerland striker Noah Okafor scored his first international goal as they brushed Bulgaria aside 4-0 to seal a place at next year’s World Cup in Qatar as Group C winners.

Ruben Vargas, Cedric Itten and Remo Freuler were also on target for the hosts as they moved to 18 points from eight matches, two points ahead of European champions Italy.

The Italians were held to a 0-0 draw away to Northern Ireland and must now play in March’s playoffs.

Scotland defeat Denmark to grab home advantage in playoffs
Scotland scored a superb 2-0 win over Denmark in their World Cup Group F qualifying clash on Monday to secure home advantage in the playoffs as they handed the Danes their only defeat of the campaign in front of a packed Hampden Park.

Denmark had already secured their spot in next year’s finals in Qatar by topping the group after reeling off nine straight wins. Monday’s result ensured Scotland finished second, thus advancing to the playoffs.

The hosts needed to win on Monday to ensure they would be among the six seeded teams and get home advantage in the 12-team playoff process, which takes place in March 2022.

The Danes were missing many of the players who helped them to reach the Euro 2020 semi-finals in July.

Monday results:
Northern Ireland (0) 0 Italy (0) 0
Switzerland (0) 4 Bulgaria (0) 0
Austria (2) 4 Moldova (0) 1
Israel (1) 3 Faroe Islands (0) 2
Scotland (1) 2 Denmark (0) 0
Albania (0) 1 Andorra (0) 0
Poland (0) 1 Hungary (1) 2
San Marino (0) 0 England (6) 10
San Marino (0) 0 England (6) 10

Tuesday, November 16 fixtures (GMT)
Czech Republic v Estonia (1945)
Wales v Belgium (1945)
Bosnia-Herzegovina v Ukraine (1945)
Finland v France (1945)
Gibraltar v Latvia (1945)
Montenegro v Turkey (1945)
Netherlands v Norway (1945)