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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Martyn Thomas

Gary Lineker makes bold England claim during Czech Republic rout

Gary Lineker has backed the current England team to "win something" following their comfortable 5-0 win over the Czech Republic.

Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick at Wembley, to add to a Harry Kane penalty and Tomas Kalas own goal to give the hosts the perfect start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.

England were missing Manchester United forwards Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard for the game but the abundance of talent available to coach Gareth Southgate was highlighted as Jadon Sancho started on the right wing, and Callum Hudson-Odoi came on to win his first cap.

Declan Rice also made his international debut as a second-half substitute in north-west London, where the hosts rarely looked like ending the game with anything other than three points.

Sterling scored a hat-trick at Wembley (Getty Images)

England 5-0 Czech Republic: Sensational Sterling hits hat-trick - 5 talking points  

Sterling gave England the perfect start as he tapped Sancho's centre home at the far post. The Manchester City star then won a penalty on the stroke of half-time that Kane duly smashed home to double his side's lead.

Sterling then curled home his second of the night - celebrating by revealing a tribute to late Crystal Palace youth player Damary Dawkins - before his deflected effort made it 4-0.

And Southgate's dominant side made it five before the end as Chelsea loanee Kalas diverted the ball into an empty after Hudson-Odoi has unleashed a shot on goal.

England's third-highest goalscorer was clearly impressed with what he witnessed at Wembley.

Raheem Sterling pays tribute to late Crystal Palace youth player after England goal  

"We might have to get used to England being decent, and what’s more they’re only going to get better," Lineker wrote.

"So many wonderfully talented players coming through.

"Never thought I’d say this but I reckon England will win something."

Following their win over the Czech Republic, England travel to Podgorica to face Montenegro on Sunday looking to extend their winning start to their qualifying campaign.

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