England vs. San Marino: Winners and Losers from Euro 2016 Qualifier
It took 25 minutes for England to break through against San Marino, but once Phil Jagielka opened the scoring following a James Milner corner, the Three Lions cruised to a comfortable, 5-0 win over San Marino at Wembley.
With the victory, manager Roy Hodgson’s side remains perfect from two matches in Group E, having beaten Switzerland last month in Basel.
Wayne Rooney scored his 41st international goal in Thursday’s match and pulled to within two of Jimmy Greaves for third place on England’s all-time list, and Danny Welbeck and Andros Townsend each found the back of the net as well.
Alessandro Della Valle rounded out the scoring in the English capital—his deflection of a Rooney shot going down as an own goal.
Following are some of the winners and losers from the encounter.
Winner: Wayne Rooney, Who Continues His March Up the Scoring Chart
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Love him or hate him, it’s a fact that Wayne Rooney will soon move past Jimmy Greaves on the England scoring chart, after which he’ll surely surpass Gary Lineker and then Sir Bobby Charlton for first place on the list.
The 28-year-old and current England captain has so far scored four international goals in 2014 and six in the past year—bringing his career total to 42.
Greaves has 44, Lineker 48 and Charlton 49, and Rooney, before he retires, will no doubt have more than 50.
Loser: Alessandro Della Valle, Who Scored Another Own Goal Against England
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Alessandro Della Valle has scored as many England goals as Bobby Moore.
The last time his San Marino side faced the Three Lions—at home in March 2013—his accidental strike helped the guests to an 8-0 victory.
Incredibly, he recorded a second goal for England on Thursday when his deflection of Wayne Rooney’s wayward effort found its way past goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini.
Winner: Danny Welbeck, Who Is in Excellent Form for Club and Country
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Since sealing his move to Arsenal on the final day of the summer transfer period, Danny Welbeck has been in superb form.
In eight matches for club and country, he has managed seven goals—two of which came in England’s Group E opener against Switzerland last month.
He found the back of the net once again on Thursday when he turned Gunners teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s superb cross past Aldo Simoncini.
Loser: Marcin Borski, Who Should Have Allowed Lallana’s Goal
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It took so long for Adam Lallana’s goal to be disallowed that it was announced as the 4-0 tally over the Wembley loudspeakers.
Then, after what seemed like a curiously long time, referee Marcin Borski signalled the offside decision.
Lallana, however, had not been interfering with play when the initial ball was played, and his redirection of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s shot should have gone up on the scoreboard.
Winner: Adam Lallana, Who Impressed After Coming on as a Substitute
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Adam Lallana might have played himself into England manager Roy Hodgson’s starting line-up to face Estonia on Sunday.
After replacing Raheem Sterling at the interval, the Liverpool man looked creative and motivated to impress—something he did in bunches throughout the second half.
He should have also been credited with a goal when his touch on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s drive was incorrectly disallowed for offside.
Loser: Jack Wilshere, Who Was Sloppy in Midfield
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Jack Wilshere’s play frequently divides opinion, and never more so than when he represents his country.
But on Thursday there was no disputing the fact the 22-year-old was well below his best, and in the first half in particular he gave the ball away with alarming frequency.
Given his performance it’s possible England manager Roy Hodgson could replace him with Adam Lallana against Estonia.
