Euro 2020 Match Report: England 5:3 Kosovo: Three Lions erratic in eight-goal thriller

Jadon Sancho scored twice for England in a thrilling 5-3 hammering over Kosovo in their Euro 2020 qualifier encounter on Tuesday to consolidate their spot at the top of Group A with a 100 percent unbeaten record.

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Though the little known Kosovo were given no chance, they certainly did spring a surprise by pouncing on a defensive error from Michael Keane, as Valon Berisha scored after just 34 seconds into the match to silence the Three Lions crowd at a packed to rafters St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.

A defensive display and the fearless approach of their opponents meant this turned into a night of concern for manager Gareth Southgate.

The result leaves England top of Group A with a 100% winning record after four games, while the Czech Republic moved into second place with a 3-0 win over Montenegro.

Kosovo arrived in Southampton on a 15-match unbeaten run, with confidence after victory over the Czechs on Saturday.

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Their confidence did not last long as rampant England, inspired by the magnificent Raheem Sterling, responded ruthlessly with five goals in the first half.

Keane swiftly made amends to set up Sterling to head home after a corner, then Manchester City’s unstoppable attacker set up captain Harry Kane for his 26th goal in 41 England appearances.

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As an occasionally chaotic encounter swung from end to end, Berisha’s fine finish reignited Kosovo’s hopes early in the second half before more awful defending from Manchester United’s Harry Maguire ended with him conceding a penalty, which Vedat Muriqi scored after he was brought down.