Quick goal - accomplished, more than one goal - accomplished, fifth consecutive victory and fulfilled fans' expectations - accomplished, Harry Kane on the field - accomplished. The England national team completed all tasks and fulfilled all wishes when on Friday at Wembley Stadium they faced the Lithuanian football team.
From the very first minutes making Giedrius Arlauskis sweat, the English team crushed the Lithuanian team 4-0 in the Euro 2016 qualifying Group E match and extended their five-game winning streak.
Roy Hodgson was already smiling after the second minute when Wayne Rooney scored. And just before the end of the first half, Danny Welbeck increased the difference. In the second half, Raheem Sterling asked for a penalty at the 11-meter spot, but got nothing. Instead, he forced G. Arlauskis to pull the ball out of the net a minute later.
In the 57th minute, R. Sterling fell in the penalty area after colliding with T. Kijanskas. Both English footballers and fans called for a penalty, but the referee's whistle remained silent. But R. Sterling didn't give up - a minute later he received a pass from W. Rooney and scored a goal.
"We had to work hard to tire them out in the first half. In the second half, we got results because they got tired," said R. Hodgson about the Lithuanians. "But the biggest challenge is the European Football Championship. I am sure we will play in it, so now we have to work hard to prepare."
The England national team fans also witnessed a great debut - in the 70th minute, R. Hodgson sent the Premier League's most productive Englishman H. Kane onto the field. It took H. Kane just 79 seconds to score a goal in his first match for the England team.
"It was a great evening for us and Harry. We are pleased with him. It's like a fairy tale now, but it's nice when such things come true. The debut couldn't have been better," said R. Hodgson.
The England national team strategist carefully observes the young striker and advises patience while the player adjusts to the huge attention.
"There was a lot of hope and pressure, so it's great that he performed well on the field. We hope this is the start of a great career in the national team," said R. Hodgson. "Now Harry will have to get used to the increased attention. He is already very big, but this is not the end. Let's not forget that he is still young."
Closer to history on Friday was W. Rooney. Before the match, he expressed respect for Bobby Charlton, but from the beginning of the match, he showed that it was time to change the name of the most productive England player of all time.
Within nineteen minutes, W. Rooney hit the post, the crossbar, and scored a goal, which was his 47th with the national team.
B. Charlton's record - 49 goals. W. Rooney played just 70 minutes and managed to score a goal and provide an assist.
Martynas Suslavičius, lrytas.lt
