Phil Jagielka, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Andros Townsend scored one goal each as England cantered to a routine 5-0 victory at home to minnows San Marino on Thursday evening in UEFA Euro 2016 Group E qualifying.The Three Lions dominated from the start, as expected, and went ahead through Jagielka's header midway through the first half. Captain Wayne Rooney doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before half-time, before Welbeck and Townsend netted in the second half. San Marino defender Alex Della Valle deflected into his own net for the fifth goal 13 minutes from time.With the victory, England remained atop Group E with six points through two matches, maintaining their 100 percent record in the process. Although eight matches remain in the qualification process, England already find themselves in a strong position to reach the final Euro 2016 tournament. Per UEFA rules, the winners and runners-up in each group qualify along with the best third-place side.England's next match should at least provide more of a challenge. On Sunday, Roy Hodgson's side will travel north-east to play Estonia.Considering the identity of the opposition, the only question for England ahead of Thursday's match seemed to be the final margin of victory. San Marino, a side made up almost entirely of amateurs, are literally the worst international team in the world, having been rated last (208th) in the latest FIFA rankings.So it was no surprise that England quickly monopolised possession, dominating the ball and settling into a passing game against their overmatched opponents. Yet the Three Lions needed more than 20 minutes to score the breakthrough goal.Rooney had a shot punched away in the sixth minute following an indirect free-kick in San Marino's box. Raheem Sterling then saw his shot saved at close range nine minutes later, though the Liverpool man was ruled offside regardless.The opening goal came in the 24th as James Milner curled in a corner from the left. In the middle, an unmarked Jagielka headed in over San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Junior Simoncini, who was falling to the ground as he reached Jagielka. San Marino's players appealed for a foul, but replays suggested Simoncini had been felled by his own teammate.San Marino managed their first shot of the match in the 34th minute, Matteo Viatoli dribbling inside from the left before firing wide of the near post.Eight minutes later, Simoncini made a fine save to deny Welbeck from close range. Moments after, however, England won a penalty when Rooney drew a foul for a high kick inside the box.Rooney then slammed in the spot kick himself for a 2-0 England lead heading into half-time.It was 3-0 within moments of the restart. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who entered the match at half-time as a substitute for Jordan Henderson, pounced on a piece of slack defending by winning possession as San Marino tried to clear. The Arsenal man then squared into the goalmouth for his club team-mate Welbeck, who slotted in for England's third goal.The home side piled on the pressure from there. Rooney had a header saved in the 51st minute, and Oxlade-Chamberlain volleyed wide six minutes later. In the 61st minute, Rooney tried to chip Simoncini after collecting the ball behind the defence, but theSan Marino goalkeeper anticipated Rooney's shot and saved comfortably.England had a goal ruled out in the 62nd minute. Oxlade-Chamberlain's long-distance shot deflected in off Adam Lallana, but after consulting with the linesman, the referee pulled back the goal for offside. Replays showed Lallana had stayed onside, while Calum Chamberswho was not involved in the playhad strayed off, meaning the goal should have stood.It mattered little, though. England's fourth goal arrived in the 72nd minute as Townsend accepted a pass from Oxlade-Chamberlain, cut inside on his favoured left foot and curled in a fine shot past Simoncini at the near post.The fifth followed five minutes later, Rooney's cross-shot floating into the net off Della Valle for an own goal.England nearly had a sixth goal in the closing moments, but CristianBrolli cleared Townsend's shot off the line to prevent any further damage on the scoresheet.GradesPost-Match ReactionEngland manager Roy Hodgson (via Sam Tighe of B/R): "Ithought San Marino were better this year, so they're making strides forward, but it's going to take a long while before they can beat a team like usI hope!"Read more World Football news on BleacherReport.com
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