England qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Monday, courtesy of a 10-0 shellacking of San Marino in the Group 1 finale.
Four of the 10 goals were bagged in then first half by Spurs marksman Harry Kane, who drew level with club old boy Gary Lineker on 48 goals in his quest to become the nation's all-time leading goalscorer.
Gareth Southgate said he would treat San Marino, the team ranked bottom of the Fifa rankings, with the same respect as any other opposition, and he was true to his word as the European Championship runners-up tore into the football minnows.
Harry Maguire, an own goal from Filippo Fabbri, Emile Smith Rowe on his full debut, a first goal for Tyrone Mings, one off the bench for Tammy Abraham, and a Bukayo Saka header were the other contributions to England's perfect 10.
Not since beating the US in 1964 had England reached double figures as they kept their foot on the accelerator until the very end.
Kane is now just five shy of Wayne Rooney's all-time record, having started for the first time against San Marino and Andorra during the qualifying campaign.
It was Maguire who opened the scoring with a fifth-minute header as he too broke a record, becoming England's highest-scoring centre-back of all time with his seventh international goal.
The second was a fortunate own goal as Saka's shot took two deflections, eventually flashing past the wrong-footed Elia Benedettini off defender Fabbri.
A Kane penalty saw him grab his first of four goals in a 15-minute spell, converting after a lengthy VAR check for handball against Dante Rossi.
His 14th of the year came shortly after, scuffing an Smith Rowe cross past Benedettini, before Aaron Ramsdale, making his debut in the England goal, was at last able to show his ability, having to get down low to push a Nicola Nanni shot behind.
England ratings v San Marino
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Aaron Ramsey 6 – The Arsenal’s keeper’s international debut will likely be the quietest 90 minutes of his career. He had little to do apart from a save low to his right deep into the first half. PA -
Harry Maguire 8 – Rose highest to put England ahead with his sixth international goal, finishing from a corner inside six minutes. Was subsequently rested in the second half. AP Photo -
Conor Coady 8 – Playing at the base of England’s back three, the Wolves man’s distribution got England started on the attack. He’s still yet to concede for England when starting. PA -
Tyrone Mings 8 – Bored with having little to do in his own half, he ventured forward on occasion and was regularly found galloping into the San Marino half. He dealt well with a rare San Marino venture forward, and then headed home to make it eight for England. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold 8 – The Liverpool man had looked a little bit out of sorts in the first half, but he came alive in the second. His through ball to Gallagher was excellent, and led to a free-kick in a dangerous area, a free-kick he took and which was headed home by Mings. He also delivered a wicked cross that was converted by Saka. PA -
Bukayo Saka 9 – Attacking from the left wing-back position, Saka was heavily involved with England’s second. He cut onto his right foot and his tame shot was deflected home. He then scored with 10 minutes left on the clock, heading home England’s 10th from Alexander-Arnold’s cross. AP Photo -
Kalvin Phillips 8 – The Leeds man formed a solid wall at the base of England’s midfield. He didn’t have to do too much defensively, but his distribution kept England moving forward. Substituted at the break. AP Photo -
Jude Bellingham 8 – Very neat and tidy in the middle. He was denied the chance to become England’s second youngest scorer behind Wayne Rooney when his effort was chalked off by VAR following a foul from Abraham. Excellent on the ball. Getty Images -
Emile Smith Rowe 9 – Making his first start, he got his name on the scoresheet with an instinctive run and clinical finish following Abraham’s neat touch. He would have had two but for an excellent block to deny his header following a Saka cross. Crossed for Kane to get his second. AP Photo -
Phil Foden 9 – The Manchester City man was heavily involved wherever he was on the field. Often dropped deep to get the moves started, but similarly got in the box to try and convert. Came close with a scissor kick, which inadvertently led to an England penalty. AFP -
Harry Kane 10 – Two games, seven goals … Kane was on fire, onverting twice from the penalty spot and then scrambling home with a half volley on his left foot. His fourth was the best, the Spurs striker showing quick feet and then an instinctive sense to find the corner. He’s the fourth England player to score hat-tricks in consecutive internationals, and he’s now level with Gary Lineker on 48 England goals. AP Photo -
SUB: Ben Chilwell (Maguire, 46) 7 – A tidy performance from the Chelsea man. His crossing was superb, and he managed to get into some attacking positions. AP Photo -
SUB: Conor Gallagher (Phillips, 46) 8 – Settled in extremely quickly with some neat short passing. He moved around the pitch well and looked confident on the ball. He came close to a goal when he struck the post. Impressive debut. Getty Images -
SUB: Tammy Abraham (Foden, 46) 8 – Would have been licking his lips in the first half watching the opportunities that fell to Kane, and he subsequently got his name on the scoresheet when he came on. He controlled the ball well and scored on the turn, his goal making up for an earlier miss. AP Photo -
SUB: Reece James (Kane, 63) 7 – James sat in front of the defensive line after coming on, a new role in an England shirt for the Chelsea man. He kept the ball moving well. PA -
SUB: John Stones (Smith Rowe, 74) N/A – Came on to replace Smith Rowe and enjoyed a leisurely run out with little to do. PA
A second successive first-half hat-trick was completed from the penalty spot after Kane's own header struck the arm of Alessandro D'Addario and he made no mistake from 12 metres.
His fourth was the pick of the bunch, the Tottenham striker beating two men inside the box and finishing into the corner to move level with Lineker.
Southgate rings second-half changes
Kane would emerge for the second half as Southgate handed a debut to Conor Gallagher, with Abraham and Ben Chilwell also coming off the bench.
Abraham would miss a fine chance to extend the lead before Smith Rowe toasted his first England start with his maiden senior goal.
The Arsenal man has hit five in eight for the Gunners and continued that fine run, turning home after a smart flick from Abraham.
Kane would come off on the hour mark, a fine outing for the man now just one goal away from Sir Bobby Charlton's 49 for England.
If San Marino's job were not already tough enough, they were reduced to 10 men as Rossi was shown a second yellow card for tripping Gallagher.
Mings would head home the resulting free-kick for his first England goal and Jude Bellingham thought he had opened his account too, only for his thunderous effort to be chalked off by VAR due to a foul in the build-up.
On the eve of the game, San Marino head coach Franco Varrella had said a good tackle or winning a one on one could have been classed as a "win" for his side, but in truth they were nowhere near it.
Abraham made it nine, finishing clinically from a Trent Alexander-Arnold pass and double figures were up as Saka then got on to the end of a cross from the Liverpool man to nod in.
Roma striker Abraham was unlucky to have a second ruled out but England secured their spot at the World Cup in style.
