Harry Kane said it was nice to have his name mentioned alongside England legends after scoring four in the 10-0 demolition of San Marino to move within five goals of Wayne Rooney's record.
England captain Kane scored four times in the first half after Harry Maguire's opener and a Filippo Fabbri own goal.
Emile Smith Rowe, Tyrone Mings, Tammy Abraham and Bukayo Saka completed the rout after the interval as England finished top of Group I to ensure their place at next year's World Cup in Qatar.
Kane, who scored a hat-trick in Friday's 5-0 win against Albania, moved alongside Gary Lineker on 48 England goals.
The Tottenham striker is behind only Bobby Charlton (49) and Wayne Rooney (53) in England's all-time list.
"Fantastic again," said Kane, whose 16 goals in 2021 is a calendar year record for England. "Every time I wear an England shirt I am proud and when I score goals it is one of the nicest feelings I can have in my career. Nice to be among those names."
England manager Gareth Southgate was full of praise for his captain who became the first Three Lions player since Tommy Taylor 64 years ago to score hat-tricks in consecutive international matches.
"If we left him on another half an hour, we would have had Wayne Rooney's family on the phone," Southgate said of the striker's substitution in the second half.
"He is a phenomenal goalscorer, we wanted to give him the chance tonight and he took it well."
Southgate believes the 28-year-old Kane could go on to set a new benchmark that could last for many years.
"I think that would definitely be one of his goals. The remarkable thing is we haven't given him the opportunities with nights like this too often," he said.
"It's not 'Is he going to break the record?', it is when, and what might he do once he is beyond that point."
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
