England routs Andorra 5-0 to move closer to World Cup

England moved closer to World Cup qualification with a 5-0 win at Andorra on Saturday.

Ben Chilwell and Bukayo Saka scored in the first half against the side ranked 156th in the world then Tammy Abraham, James Ward-Prowse and Jack Grealish scored after the break.

Just 2,285 were in attendance at Estadi Nacional, where the hosts worked overnight to repair the damage caused by the touchline fire around the TV gantry area on the eve of the game.

The Europe Group I match saw Ukraine’s Kateryna Monzul become the first woman to referee a senior England men’s match.

Phil Foden was the architect of both first-half goals, providing the ball for Chilwell’s first international goal and then Saka’s thumping strike.

Abraham, making his first international start in four years, turned home a cross from Jadon Sancho in the 59th minute.

Grealish was brought down in the box and Ward-Prowse scored from the rebound after his penalty was saved.

Grealish scored his first England goal in the 86th, striking low beyond Gomes after collecting a long throw from goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

England kept a national record 12th clean sheet in a calendar year.

With only the group winners automatically qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar next year, England is four points ahead of second-placed Albania.

Albania won at Hungary 1-0 through Armando Broja’s goal in a stadium closed to fans due a racism punishment.

Poland is a point further back in third place after routing San Marino 5-0.

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