Staff Reporter.
@GettyImages.
England maintained their 100% winning record in World Cup qualifying by scoring four times in an impressive second-half showing to ease past Hungary.
Gareth Southgate’s side top their group after winning all four games so far and are five points clear of second-placed Poland, who beat Albania.
The first half was a slow burner, with neither side managing a shot on target, and captain Harry Kane missed a glorious chance at the start of the second period, scuffing his shot straight at goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
But the visitors broke the deadlock in the 55th minute as Raheem Sterling slotted in first time from Mason Mount’s cutback.
Sterling turned provider just after the hour mark as his cross skipped up in the box and Kane converted with a diving header from close range.
Two Manchester United defenders combined for the third goal as Luke Shaw’s outswinging corner was headed home by Harry Maguire – and a comprehensive victory was completed as goalkeeper Gulacsi let Declan Rice’s drive slip under him.
Hungary, already facing two games behind closed doors in UEFA competition after incidents at their national stadium during Euro 2020, could face sanctions from FIFA after fans threw objects at England players on two occasions.
Meanwhile Northern Ireland secured a vital 4-1 victory over Lithuania to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
Daniel Ballard opened the scoring then Conor Washington netted a penalty before Rolandas Baravykas pulled one back for the hosts.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell then saved a Arvydas Novikovas spot-kick, with Shayne Lavery restoring the visitors’ two-goal margin.
Paddy McNair completed the scoring with Northern Ireland’s second penalty.
The victory was a first in Group C for Ian Baraclough’s men, who opened the campaign with a 2-0 defeat away to Italy before a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Bulgaria.
⚽️ ??????? ⚽️
? Best performance was by ________#WCQ
— European Qualifiers (@EURO2020) September 2, 2021
They remain third in the table, six points behind leaders Italy, but know that a win at Windsor Park over Switzerland on Wednesday night would see them move a point ahead of the Swiss and into second.
Elsewhere Spain suffered their first World Cup qualifying defeat since 1993 as Sweden came from behind to end La Roja’s 66-game run.
Carlos Soler volleyed Luis Enrique’s Spain into an early lead in Stockholm on his international debut.
But just 12 seconds after play resumed Alexander Isak took advantage of a defensive mistake to slam home.
Viktor Claesson controlled Dejan Kulusevski’s pass before firing in a famous winner from 12 yards out.
The previous team to beat Spain in a World Cup qualifier were Sweden’s neighbours, Denmark, in March 1993 in Copenhagen.
Since then Spain had won 52 World Cup qualifiers and drawn the other 14.
The win takes Sweden top of Group B on nine points from three games.
Spain have seven points from four games and could be facing a play-off for a place at the 2022 World Cup with only the group winners qualifying automatically.