Harry Kane’s hat-trick helped blow away Bulgaria and continue England‘s European Championship qualification cakewalk.
Bulgaria are not the side they once were and the 1994 World Cup semi-finalists set up to frustrate England, only for needlessly overconfident play at the back to bring about Kane’s opener midway through the first half.
The England captain netted his second when Marcus Rashford was brought down in the box early in the second half, with the striker turning provider as Sterling bundled home minutes later.
Kane would end the day celebrating his second international hat-trick after scoring his second penalty of the day, adding gloss to another big win that England will look to build on against Kosovo in Southampton this Tuesday.
Here’s how the players rated:
Congratulations on your #ThreeLions debut, @masonmount_10! 💫 pic.twitter.com/A6lFdddbdp
— England (@England) September 7, 2019
Jordan Pickford: Was tested on four occasions and never looked like conceding, with his second-half save from Wanderson particularly impressive. 8
Kieran Trippier: Recalled to the side and making his first England appearance since October last year, Trippier got up and down the flank well. 6
Michael Keane: Earned a yellow card in the first half for a clumsy challenge, but rarely tested defensively. 6
Harry Maguire: Covered ground when he needed to and bullied Bulgaria’s attack in a commanding display. 7
Danny Rose: Rose has struggled for Spurs this season, but was a constant threat down the left. 7
Jordan Henderson: Worked hard and saw plenty of the ball, but not his most influential display for his country. 6
Declan Rice: Showed tenacity and steel in the middle of the park in a display which suggests he will be in this team for some time. 7
Ross Barkley: Made the Three Lions tick with a virtuoso performance and always looked to get on the ball. 8
Raheem Sterling: Made England’s first goal with his tireless pressing and added his seventh goal in seven international games. 8
Harry Kane: Took himself above Geoff Hurst on the list of England goalscorers to 25 with a hat-trick, two of them penalties, while also adding an assist. 9
Marcus Rashford: His pace frightened Bulgaria and his skill won England’s first penalty, while almost adding a late fifth. 7
SUBS
Mason Mount (on for Henderson, 66): Given his international debut and bombed forward but made no real impact. 6
Jadon Sancho (on for Sterling, 71): Could not expose a tired Bulgaria defence despite some promising positions. 6
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (On for Kane, 77): Looked neat and tidy on his first England appearance since March 2018. 6
