Ranking England's 5 best players against San Marino | 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

San Marino v England - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
San Marino v England - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

#3 Trent Alexander-Arnold

England v Albania - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
England v Albania - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold is widely hailed as the best right-back in the world. Against San Marino, he proved why he is worthy of that lofty title.

Alexander-Arnold was uncharacteristically quiet in the first 45 and looked set for an average night. However, he came to life emphatically in the second half, providing a hat-trick of assists.

He kicked things off with an excellent free-kick delivery into the box in the 69th minute. Tyrone Mings pounced on a peachy delivery to bag his first England goal.

Nine minutes later, Alexander-Arnold delivered a high cross into the area, which was chested down and finished cleverly by substitute Tammy Abraham.

Finally, the right-back capped off his and England’s night with another gem of a delivery, which led to Saka’s well-deserved goal.


#2 Emile Smith-Rowe

Arsenal v Sporting CP - UEFA Europa League - Group E
Arsenal v Sporting CP - UEFA Europa League - Group E

Premier League giants Arsenal are in dire need of creative reinforcements. They need players who know what the crest stands for and can deliver match-winning performances on cue. Thankfully, the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka are shaping up to be the perfect flagbearers for Arsenal.

Like Saka, Smith-Rowe was also in sensational form for England on Tuesday night. Starting his first game for England's senior team, Smith-Rowe was under the microscope against San Marino. The 21-year-old did not let the pressure get to him and looked sure-footed right from the get go.

Smith-Rowe combined well with Kalvin Phillips to get into a crossing position on the left-hand side. He delivered the ball into the San Marino box, allowing Harry Kane to get his second on the night.

The debutant also got on the scoresheet himself, just before the hour mark. Played through on goal by Tammy Abraham’s clever backheel, Emile Smith-Rowe smashed the ball home from close range to bag his first England senior-team goal.


#1 Harry Kane

San Marino v England - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
San Marino v England - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Harry Kane may not be in the best of form for Tottenham Hotspur lately, but he is looking as sharp as ever in England’s colors. Kane, who scored an impressive first-half hat-trick in his previous England appearance against Albania, replicated his heroics at the Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle.

Kane got his first from the penalty spot in the 27th minute after a handball decision went England’s way. He doubled his tally four minutes later with a left-footed finish before bagging his third from another well-taken penalty.

Kane’s final goal of the night came three minutes before halftime. The Tottenham Hotspur ace left two San Marino defenders in the dust to smash the ball home.

His four-goal haul made him the first Englishman to score four goals in a match after Ian Wright’s exploits against the same opposition in 1993.

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