England produced a masterful display in Belgrade to thrash Serbia 5-0 and take full control of their World Cup qualifying group. Thomas Tuchel's side were a class apart from the first whistle, silencing the criticism that had followed the head coach with a performance of assurance and attacking verve.
Harry Kane opened the scoring with a precise header from Declan Rice's corner, his 74th international goal. Noni Madueke doubled the lead after a stunning assist from Morgan Rogers, who had been preferred to Eberechi Eze in the number 10 role. Central defenders Ezri Konsa and Marc Guéhi both scored their first England goals, with Guéhi also impressing defensively. Marcus Rashford added a fifth from the penalty spot after coming on as a late substitute.
Serbia, who finished with 10 men after Nikola Milenkovic was sent off for a last-man foul on Kane in the 72nd minute, offered little throughout. The home crowd turned on their own players and coach Dragan Stojkovic, with anti-government chants and calls for his dismissal. The match was played against a backdrop of political tension, including a laser aimed at England players and a fan repeatedly blowing a whistle to impersonate the referee.
England's 100% qualification record under Tuchel now stands at five wins from five, with no goals conceded. The team's game management was exemplary, and the travelling fans were treated to a smooth, composed performance that drew no worry lines.
With the job of reaching the finals effectively done, Tuchel will take great encouragement from the cohesion and attacking threat displayed. The connection between Rogers and Madueke, in particular, added a new dimension to England's play, suggesting this side are peaking at the right time.
