Match Report by Mike Payne

England needed just a point from this match to go through to next year’s Euro Finals, and although in reality, there are no easy International matches, this one proved that, occasionally, there is.  England won at a canter, and especially in the first-half, the team showed how clinical they can be.  They certainly turned on the style in this, the 1,000^th England International.

Montenegro began in lively fashion, winning an early corner and pushing forward well.  As England grew into the match however, the play settled down to virtual one-way traffic.  Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was in the thick of the action from the start and an early cross was cut out by goalkeeper, Milan Mijatovic.  Two minutes later a super run and cross from Jaydon Sancho so nearly reached Harry Kane, only to be thwarted by a terrific last-ditch clearance by Aleksander Sofranac.  As England continued to press hard, a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross was again cut out by the overworked Montenegro defence.  On 11 minutes though, England took the lead, and it was a fine goal too.

Ben Chilwell, on a forward run, sent a delightful chipped pass out to Oxlade-Chamberlain, unmarked on the right.  The Liverpool player showed his club form and  confidence by taking one touch, before then drilling a right-foot shot into the far corner.  It was a good build up, lovely pass, and great finish, a super goal all round.

The pressure continued from England as another good run and cross from Sancho was saved by the keeper after Kane’s weak header did not trouble him.  Just to make sure England were concentrating, a good break from Marko Vesovic was only stopped at the expense of a corner, a reminder to England’s defence that they still had to be alert, even though they were dominating the play.  A minute later and a fine England move almost brought goal number two.  This time Kane was the provider as he and Oxlade-Chamberlain combined to send Marcus Rashford bursting into the box.  He hit a hard drive which the goalkeeper blocked with his chest to divert the ball for a corner.  Moments later, and England won a free-kick on the left.  Chilwell took the kick and there was Kane, running in unmarked to head home from close range.  It was a well-taken goal, but woeful defending from the Montenegro players, who were all at sea, and becoming more and more overwhelmed by England’s attacking power.

Every now and again though, the visitors made a lively break, and in one move down the right, Rashford’s pace came in handy as he tracked back to stop a promising burst.  However, it was already clear that there was only going to be one outcome in this match and on 24 minutes England added a third goal.  Once again it was Chilwell, with a hat-trick of assists, this time taking a corner, which was headed home by Kane.  The Tottenham striker was really starting to enjoy this match and had now boosted his England goals tally to go equal with England legends Tom Finney, Nat Lofthouse and Alan Shearer on 30 goals.

In the 27^th minute, Chilwell was involved again, this time at the other end.  He gave away a free-kick out on the right-wing and from the cross Marko Simic put in a fine header.  Somehow though, Jordan Pickford, who had hardly touched the ball thus far, dived to his left to pull of a fantastic save, tipping the ball around the post.

After that slight scare, England were quickly back on the attack.  The pass of the night from Alexander-Arnold to Sancho, down the right, helped win a corner.  The corner was played short and found Oxlade-Chamberlain sending over another inviting cross.  It was met by Harry Maguire and his header was brilliantly blocked by Mijatovic, but the ball rebounded out to Rashford, who quickly adjusted his feet, sent defenders the wrong way, before planting a fine shot into the far corner.  Another fine goal and one the Manchester United player deserved as he had been a real handful for the visiting defence.

Frustration started to get the better of Montenegro and one minor confrontation between Rashford and Vesovic ended with both players being booked.  England continued to push forward, and it was so easy for them, winning possession back quickly each time they lost the ball.  Harry Winks was doing some fine work in midfield, hustling and bustling to win the ball.  Kane shot well wide in one attack but the striker was not to be denied and on 37 minutes he completed his hat-trick with another terrific goal.  Alexander-Arnold’s cross was deflected to Kane right in front of goal.  A lovely touch, and as a defender dived in from his left, Kane turned the ball back the other way to beat the goalkeeper again.  It was a very clever goal by Kane and he is now in clear sixth place in the all-time goalscoring list, a fitting record for this special night.

As good as England are going forward they are still prone to the odd lapse at the back and with five minutes of the half left Montenegro should have pulled a goal back.  A through pass split the two England defenders John Stones and Maguire, leaving a clear run on goal for Fatos Beciraj.  He really should have scored but Pickford stood tall and the forward shot straight at him, the ball bouncing clear off the keeper’s hands and chest.  The follow-up attempt was fluffed and the chance was lost.  The first-half ended with one more shot by Rashford deflected wide and a 5-0 half-time score was no less than England deserved.

As often happens in these sort of one-sided games, the half-time break largely put an end to the excitement.  You always know that when the crowd start a Mexican wave!  A quiet start to the half, but with England still dominating possession.  On 55 minutes it looked as though Mason Mount was to register his first England goal after Kane’s shot was saved and Mount forced home the rebound.  Unfortunately the Chelsea man was flagged offside, much to his obvious disappointment.

Time for changes as Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kane were applauded off and on came James Maddison and Tammy Abraham to replace them, Maddison making his debut.  On 62 minutes Maguire headed yet another Chilwell corner over the bar, but four minutes later a powerful run by Rashford saw the ball evade Sancho, fall to Mount, who scuffed his shot, only to then see Sofranac crash his attempted clearance past his own goalkeeper!  That was the last thing the visitors needed and England began to create lots of chances again.  Mount went off to be replaced by Joe Gomez, who was quite unfairly and unnecessarily booed by a section of the crowd, for what reason only those morons that did it could tell you.  Sometimes you do wonder about football fans, do they never learn?

England continued to push forward, although, understandably, without quite the same intensity as in the first-half, but on 84 minutes they added a seventh goal.  Once more Chilwell began the move with a pass to Sancho.  The winger ran to the bye-line before pulling the ball across goal for Abraham to score his first England goal, continuing his fine club form this season.  And that was the last positive action of the game.  England had done the job more effectively than anyone could have asked.  They played some lovely football, scored some wonderful goals and have qualified for next year’s finals with a game to spare.  Who could ask for more in this very special 1,000^th game?

Source Notes