'Clinical' England smash seven past Montenegro to reach Euro 2020 in style

England manr Gareth Southgate revealed in his side's ruthlessness as a 7-0 thrashing of Montenegro sealed qualification for Euro 2020 in style in Three Lions' 1,000th match. Even without Raheem Sterling, who was dropped by Southgate earlier in week after a physical altercation with teammate Joe Gomez, England displayed firepower that will make m one of favorites for next year's European Championship.

Harry Kane moved into sixth in all-time list of England goalscorers with a first-half hat-trick to take his tally for qualifying campaign to 11 in seven games.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Marcus Rashford, Aleksandar Sofranac's own goal and Tammy Abraham's first at international level rounded off scoring as Southgate's men sealed top spot in Group A with a stunning record of 33 goals in seven games.

"In past, we have maybe struggled against lower-ranked teams who defend in numbers, but we have players who can open those teams up and a style of play that can do that," said Southgate.

"We have qualified and done it clinically."

After an unexpectedly turbulent week for Southgate as his decision to go public with sanction for Sterling was criticized, re was some relief as once again his side tore apart mediocre opposition.

" quality of our attacking play was excellent," added Southgate.

"We expected to win group but we've totally taken teams apart."

However, re was still time for clash between Sterling and Gomez to take shine off a fine performance as Liverpool defender was booed by some of 77,000 in attendance when he entered for a late substitute appearance.

"Ir was hard for me to see my teammate get booed for something that was my fault," Sterling tweeted.

"Joe hasn't done anything wrong and for me to see someone who keeps his head down and works hard, especially after a difficult week for him, to be booed when he came on tonight was wrong."

Oxlade-Chamberlain continued his recent goalscoring streak for Liverpool with an excellent finish from Ben Chilwell's cross to open floodgates on 11 minutes.

Chilwell's superb club form for Leicester saw him earn a start ahead of Danny Rose at left-back and a hat-trick of first-half assists made his case to be first choice for Southgate at Euros.

Kane had seen a few chances go begging before heading home a Chilwell free-kick and more awful Montenegrin marking gave England captain an easy chance to double his tally from ar Chilwell set-piece delivery.

Rashford was starting in role on left of a front three rmally occupied by Sterling and looked in mood to take advant of a rare start in his favored position as he cut inside to smash home fourth.

That goal came from a Trent Alexander-Arld cross and just like Chilwell, Liverpool right-back's delivery was a constant threat.

Alexander-Arld was provider again for Kane to complete his hat-trick as he was given inside six-yard box to control and fire into far corner for his 31st international goal to move ahead of Tom Finney, Alan Shearer and Nat Lofthouse's mark of 30.

"We wanted to put on a show in our 1,000th game and with five goals in first half I think we did that," said Kane.

hosts were given more gifts from Montenegro defense when Sofranac blasted into his own net 24 minutes from time.

Abraham has outscored Kane in Premier League so far this season and even if his chances of taking skipper's number nine shirt are slim, Chelsea striker also made his mark by sliding home England's seventh from Jadon Sancho's cross.