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World Cup | Qualifiers
Oct 12, 2012 at 8pm UK
 
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5-0

Match Analysis: England 5-0 San Marino

:Headline: Match Analysis: England 5-0 San Marino: ID:49684: from db_amp
Sports Mole takes a look at the key talking points from England's victory over San Marino at Wembley.

England cruised to a 5-0 victory over San Marino in World Cup qualifying at Wembley on Friday evening.

Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck both scored braces before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added a fifth for Roy Hodgson's side on a comfortable night in the capital.

Here, Sports Mole analyses where the match was won and lost in Group H.

Match statistics

England
Shots: 27
On target: 16
Possession: 86%
Corners: 17
Fouls: 9

San Marino
Shots: 1
On target: 0
Possession: 14%
Corners: 0
Fouls: 11

Was the result fair?

Yes, San Marino were never in the match and as was widely predicted, England dominated the game from start to finish. Despite holding off England at the start of the contest, the hosts were well worth the 5-0 scoreline.

England's performance

The Wembley crowd were not treated to anything spectacular from their side but Hodgson's men barely needed come out of first gear. England were poor in the early stages of the match and didn't pass the ball well but Hodgson was unlikely to learn much about his squad tonight.

San Marino's performance

Before the game, a number of critics questioned whether San Marino deserve a place in World Cup qualifying and on this performance, it's an understandable argument. The visitors had no intention of attacking England's defence and one shot in 90 minutes tells the story of where San Marino are on the international stage.

Referee's performance

Gediminas Mazeika wasn't stretched at Wembley but he could have sent off Aldo Simoncini in the first period. The goalkeeper's challenge on Walcott was arguably worthy of a yellow card before he then brought down Danny Welbeck for the penalty.

Sports Mole's man of the match

It would be easy to give the award to Rooney or Welbeck for their goals but Leighton Baines was the standout performer at Wembley. The Everton defender played well when his teammates didn't and he was a constant threat on the left wing.

Biggest gaffe

Danilo Rinaldi was given a superb opportunity to score a famous goal at Wembley but the San Marino striker failed to hold his nerve as he closed in on Joe Hart and his eventual shot failed to test the Manchester City goalkeeper.

What's next?

England: Hodgson will take his side to Warsaw for Tuesday's clash with Poland. The Three Lions face a much more difficult challenge against the co-hosts of this summer's European Championships.

San Marino: On the same night, San Marino will host Moldova, who recorded a shock draw against Ukraine on Friday to hand England the advantage in Group H.

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