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England national football team
European Under-21s Championship | Qualifiers
Nov 19, 2013 at 6pm UK
 
San Marino national football team

9-0

Keane (13'), Sterling (15', 59'), Ings (18', 48'), Ward-Prowse (24'), Ince (42'), Jenkinson (61'), Hughes (78')
FT(HT: 5-0)

Live Commentary: England Under-21 9-0 San Marino Under-21 - as it happened

Live coverage of the Under-21 2015 European Championship qualifier between England and San Marino at Shrewsbury Town's Greenhous Meadow.
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England's Under-21 side beat San Marino by a record margin in their 2015 European Championship qualifier.

The Young Lions had five different goalscorers in the first half, while Danny Ings and Raheem Sterling completed their braces with goals in the second half.

The 9-0 victory leaves Gareth Southgate's side six points clear at the top of Group 1.

Read how all the action unfolded below.


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Good evening! It's just an hour until kickoff at the Greenhous Meadow, where Gareth Southgate's Under-21s will be looking to extend their lead at the top of Group One to six points. The Young Lions have already confirmed their team for today's clash, so let's start with a look at the lineup...

ENGLAND STARTING XI: Butland, Jenkinson, Robinson, Hughes, Stones, Keane, Ince, Ward-Prowse, Ings, Lingard, Sterling

ENGLAND SUBSTITUTES: Shaw, Bond, Chalobah, Dier, Zaha, Bamford, Morrison

It's a slightly different look to the team that beat Finland 3-0 on Friday evening. Ravel Morrison drops to the bench, while Saido Berahino, who scored twice last week, misses out through suspension. Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard comes into the side as does Danny Ings, both of whom started on the bench on Friday.

A win for the hosts this evening would put them in a strong position in Group One. England have won four of their five games so far in this qualifying campaign, giving them a three-point advantage and a game in hand over second-placed Wales. Gareth Southgate's side have already beaten San Marino once in this campaign, and their recent strong form makes them heavy favourites again this evening.

San Marino have played more games than any other team in the group, with just three games left to play for tonight's visitors. Their only points have come from a shock 1-0 win over Wales back in September. Since then, San Marino have played three games, letting in 10 goals without scoring. Let's take a look at their team news...

SAN MARINO STARTING XI: Manzaroli, Brolli, Ciambotti, Biordi, Proli, Maiani, Liverani, Colombini, Golinucci, Battistini, Bernardi

SAN MARINO SUBSTITUTES: Berardi, Cesarini, Faetanini, Zonzini, Baizan, Zavoli, Angelini

A key player for the visitors is 18-year-old defender Juri Biordi, who has scored both of their goals in this qualifying campaign. Manuel Battistini is their most experienced player, having represented the Under-21s 12 times.

Ahead of this evening's game, Blackpool striker Thomas Ince told TheFA.com: "It's been a good eight or nine days for us, the lads have trained well and we got a good win against Finland at Milton Keynes, even though we didn't really hit the heights we know we can. San Marino are probably the easy-pickings of the group but the lads are still remaining focused and ready to get another win."

Meanwhile, coach Gareth Southgate is expecting his players to come up against a tough defensive side, telling reporters: "San Marino haven't conceded that many goals because they get so many numbers back so you have to do things quite quickly to be able to exploit any overload or weakness. If you don't do that, the holes are quickly plugged and the opportunity is lost, so there are times to change the tempo and control of games and it's about choosing the right option which creates that chance or scores us a goal. We know from the game out there, when we scored from a set piece to begin with and then got a penalty for the second goal, that it was a tight game."

This will be the Young Lions' last chance to represent their country this year, as their next qualifying match is against Wales in March next year. England still have games against Lithuania and Moldova to come in this campaign as well.

WEATHER WATCH! It will be bracing conditions for both sets of players in Shrewsbury this evening. The latest weather update from the Greenhous Meadow indicates that it is just 2C at the ground, although conditions are dry.

Although not involved tonight, West Brom striker Saido Berahino has been linked with a call-up to the senior squad following his two-goal performance against Finland last week. The Burundi-born forward has scored six goals in four appearances for the Young Lions, but is suspended for this evening's clash, having been booked for removing his shirt to reveal a tribute to his late father following his first goal last week.

The 2015 Under-21 European Championships will take place in the Czech Republic. For several of the players that have been involved for England during the qualifiers, this will be their last chance to play in a tournament for the Under-21s.

Here's a picture of the England squad checking out their home ground for this evening's game. The stadium was one of those included in England's bid to host the 2013 Under-21 Euro tournament, but the bid was unsuccessful.



The players are in the tunnel ready to head onto the pitch for tonight's match. Naturally, both anthems will be played ahead of kickoff.

PREDICTION! While the pre-match formalities take place, there's just time for a quick prediction. Obviously, England are the overwhelming favourites, having been in strong form since the summer, with a talented squad of youngsters. Despite top goalscorers Saido Berahino and Harry Kane not being involved tonight, it should still be a comfortable evening for the hosts. I think England will win 4-0.

Right then, the anthems are done, the pre-match handshakes are completed and the players are getting into their formations ready for kickoff, which should be just a couple of moments away.

San Marino get the game underway.

England are immediately on the attack as Jesse Lingard tries to break into the San Marino penalty area, but the visitors have immediately gone defensive, with plenty of players back, and they manage to halt Lingard's charge.

Lingard quickly wins the ball back on picks out Sterling. The Liverpool player looks to cross in from out wide, but it's put behind for a corner. Ward-Prowse crosses it in, but Manzaroli comes out to punch the ball away. It's the first action in what could be a busy night for the San Marino goalkeeper.

San Marino manage to move into England's half for the first time, but striker Bernardi loses out to Jenkinson. Robinson breaks from the back as England go on the counter-attack, winning the home side's second corner of the match. Ince whips the ball in, but it's swiftly dealt with by the San Marino defence. The visitors are doing well to clear England's early efforts, but it has been an impressive start by the hosts.

Sterling wins the ball back in midfield before passing to Robinson, who is fouled by Bernardi, giving the home side a free kick around 25 yards out. James Ward-Prowse's delivery is good, but Manzaroli punches it away again. The keeper has been keen to come forward to clear the danger so far, which is helping his defenders.

CHANCE! Sterling is an the attack again for England, delivering a cross, but Biordi makes the clearance for the visitors. However, Lingard quickly picks it up, setting up Will Hughes, but the Derby star doesn't quite have enough room, and slices his half-volley just wide.

CHANCE! San Marino are really hanging on here. England have a corner which Ince delivers to Ings, but his header is saved by Manzaroli.

GOAL! England 1-0 San Marino (Keane)

The home side have another corner, which Ince takes again. Maiani has a chance to get it clear for the home side, but he knocks it straight into the path of Keane, who scores for the second game in a row for the Under-21s.

GOAL! England 2-0 San Marino (Sterling)

England are flying now, as Raheem Sterling, who has looked lively since kickoff makes a superb run into the box before drilling in it for England's second goal in as many minutes. Once again the visitors had a chance to make the clearance, but some lacklustre defending made it easy for Gareth Southgate's side.

GOAL! England 3-0 San Marino (Ings)

It's a clinical finish from the Championship player of the month for his first goal as an England Under-21 international. Jenkinson started the move, chipping the ball out wide to Ince who provided a superb cross for Ings, who was able to fire it in from six yards out, leaving Manzaroli no chance in the San Marino goal.

CHANCE! Despite their healthy lead, England aren't sitting back, with Jenkinson and Sterling teaming up well inside the final third. Sterling picks out Ings, who immediately turns towards goal as he looks for his second of the game, but Manzaroli gets a hand to the ball to keep it out. Meanwhile, Jack Butland gets his first touch of the game, as San Marino try a long ball forward, with no-one up front to receive the delivery, giving England a goal kick.

GOAL! England 4-0 San Marino (Ward-Prowse)

England win a free kick on the edge of the box after Bernardi carelessly trips up Sterling. James Ward-Prowse lines up his second set piece of the night, and it's a superb strike from the Southampton man, who effortlessly lifts it over the wall leaving Manzaroli stranded.

England are still running at the San Marino defence, which has been left shell-shocked by the home side's performance so far this evening. However, San Marino win a free kick when Ward-Prowse fouls Bernardi in midfield.

The visitors get another free kick when Lingard clashes for Colombini. This time they look to apply some pressure inside the England half, but Bernardi slices the ball from range for an England goal kick.

CHANCE! After letting San Marino see the ball for a couple of minutes, England are quickly back on the attack as Lingard tears down the wing before crossing in towards Ings, but the Burnely striker's header goes wide.

CHANCE! It's another missed opportunity for Ings as Ince plays Jenkinson in before the Arsenal defender slots it through for the striker, who slices it over. The Burnley man could easily have had a hat-trick so far this evening.

CHANCE! Ince looks to get a cross in from the right-hand side of the penalty area, but he's being marked by three defenders. The Blackpool man does manage to win a corner though, and whips it in for Stones. The Everton defender gets his head to the ball, but Proli manages to block his effort for the visitors.

San Marino have all of their players back as they try to avoid letting it a fifth before half time. England are continuing to bear down on the visitors' goal, but San Marino are slowing them down well.

GOAL! England 5-0 San Marino (Ince)

Sterling makes a superb run from midfield before looking for Ings, who has the majority of England's chances in this first half. However, he spots Tom Ince in strong position, and selflessly pulls it back for his teammate, whose powerful strike extends the hosts' lead before the break.

Ings looks to get himself into a goal-scoring position again, but he's slightly to keen, and drifts offside as Ward-Prowse sends a long ball in towards the striker.

Ince tries to set up a sixth in the final seconds of the first half, sending in a cross from outside with Ings and Lingard waiting in the box, but Lingard fouls Brolli while trying to get his head to the ball.

HALF TIME: England 5-0 San Marino

Five different goalscorers held England to a commanding lead at half time in their Under-21 European Championship qualifier. San Marino are yet to trouble the England defence, and have looked stretched almost every time the home side have got the ball into their penalty area.

It's worth noting that the Under-21s biggest ever winning margin is seven goals, having beaten Finland 8-1 in 1977, and Azerbaijan 7-0 in 2009. That record is surely under threat this evening.

The first couple of goals can be put down to defensive errors from San Marino, but the finishes from Danny Ings, James Ward-Prowse and Tom Ince have all been superb. With several of the players looking to impress Gareth Southgate to keep their place in the side, it's likely that they'll continue to push after the break.

Let's take a look at some of the stats from the first half. England had 10 efforts at the San Marino goal, with seven on target, while San Marino are awaiting their first chance of the game. Manzaroli made two saves for the visitors, and punched away several balls into the box to prevent further chances for the home side.

Don't forget, the senior England side are also in action this evening, taking on Germany at Wembley. You can follow all the build up for that match here.

SUB! England have made a change ahead of the start of the second half, bringing on Jonathan Bond for Jack Butland.

England get the second half underway.

CHANCE! The home side start where they left off in the first half, as Lingard has a strike within seconds of the kick off, but he slices the ball well high.

GOAL! England 6-0 San Marino (Ings)

It's a scruffy goal, as Lingard scuffs his shot, but it falls to Ings and Jenkinson, who both try to get the final touch, eventually bundling it into the back of the net. At the moment the goal has been given to Ings, despite the Arsenal defender's best attempts the claim it.

CHANCE! Tom Ince unleashes an effort from range, which has been rare tonight, with most of the shots coming from well inside the penalty area, but the attempt goes well high.

Ince lines up another chance after picking up the ball from Ward-Prowse, forcing a save from Manzaroli, but he's flagged for offside anyway. England may not have quite the same urgency that they displayed in the first half, but they've rarely been forced out of the San Marino half since the restart.

Hughes finds Sterling on the edge of the box, who manages to hold off tackles from four defenders to win a throw in. Jenkinson has a chance to set up Ings once the ball is back in play, but the visitors manage to make the clearance.

GOAL! England 7-0 San Marino (Sterling)

It's a stunning finish from Raheem Sterling to score his second of the night, and put England in a position to equal to Under-21 side's biggest ever winning margin. Ince passes to the Liverpool player on the edge of the box, before Sterling lobs it over the keeper.

GOAL! England 8-0 San Marino (Jenkinson)

Tom Ince is involved once again as he taps it forward for Jenkinson, who just manages to squeeze his shot under the San Marino keeper to make it eight. Unfortunately, it does look like Ince has picked up a knock as he heads straight down the tunnel following the goal.

SUB! Eric Dier comes on for Stones, while another change is imminent following Ince's departure.

CHANCE! Keane has a chance to add his second of the night but it's blocked. Dier tees up the rebound, but Manzaroli manages to bury it beneath him. Despite still being down to 10, England are still pressing.

SUB! Patrick Bamford, who was called up as cover for Berahino, comes on in play of Ince.

CHANCE! Keane comes close again as he looks to head in from a Ward-Prowse corner, but his finish is just wide. Incidentally, Ward-Prowse has taken over as captain following Butland's exit at half time.

England constantly look like scoring, as Jenkinson sends the ball in towards Lingard. Biori manages to block the effort, but it goes behind for a corner, and the home side have looked dangerous from most of their set pieces this evening.

SUB! It's a double change for the visitors as Liverani and Ciambotta make way for Faetanini and Cesarini.

England have just started to sit back a little as the game enters its final 20 minutes, which allows San Marino to make a rate break forward with Battistini waiting in the penalty area. Cesasrini eventually has an effort from just outside the box, but it's well off target.

Will Hughes shows a burst of speed to find Jenkinson, who in turn passes to Lingard, but the winger's finish is wide. The home side are quickly back on the attack though. Having let San Marino have the ball for a couple of minutes, they look keen to reassert their authority.

GOAL! England 9-0 San Marino (Hughes)

Will Hughes has the ball around 25 yards out and looks to pass forward, but can't see a player open, so he makes a run into the box himself, dodging a flailing leg from Proli before smashing in into the back of the net. This is the first time that the Under-21s have scored nine goals.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Bamford thinks that he has made it 10, as he beats Manzaroli in the air to head in. However, the substitute is penalised for fouling the San Marino keeper, who looks to be injured following the challenge.

Manzaroli is still receiving treatment, leading to Berardi starting to warm up for the visitors. It would be a shame for the keeper to have to go off, as he has made some good saves for the visitors, but been let down by some poor defending in front of him.

SUB! Unfortunately, that is the end of Manzaroli's night, as Berardi comes on the restart the game with a free kick from inside the penalty area.

CHANCE! It's an impressive start by the replacement keeper, he stops Ings from getting his hat-trick with a solid save. The visitors are temporarily down to 10, as Faetanini has picked up an injury and had to move to the sideline for treatment.

Sterling battles hard out wide in order to make the cross as England look force their 10th late on, but Berardi is decisive again, claiming the catch before Lingard can connect with the delivery.

OFF THE POST! A superb flick from Lingard sets up Robinson, who tries to volley the ball in from out wide, but his shot is deflected onto the post before going behind for a corner.

CHANCE! Lingard goes for a volley from just inside the box, but had time to take a touch and set up the shot. Instead he hits it first time, sending it well wide. The Manchester United winger has looked a constant threat, and is unlucky not to be on the scoresheet this evening.

CHANCE! It's another chance for Lingard as he unleashes a curling effort with his left shot, just misses the top corner. While a 10-0 scoreline would be devastating for San Marino, Lingard really does deserve a goal.

Lingard and Sterling team up on the edge of the box, but their move stalls when Proli intercepts a pass and makes the clearance, but Ward-Prowse picks it up in midfield and quickly gets in back into a good position for the hosts, who are finishing strongly.

FULL TIME: England 9-0 San Marino

Will Hughes did have a late strike with the final move of the match, but it was saved with Berardi, who had a solid cameo in goal for the visitors, keeping a clean sheet.

Despite not getting the 10th, it's still a record win for the Under-21s, who have almost four months off before playing their next qualifier. The majority of the squad will be back in action with their clubs at the weekend.

That's all from Greenhous Meadow this evening, but stick around for the match report, reaction and analysis to this match, as well as coverage from all of this evening's internationals and FA Cup replays. Thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.

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