England began their 2020 European Championship qualifying campaign in blistering fashion, sweeping aside the Czech Republic at Wembley with a 5-0 triumph.
Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling took centre stage during the display, hitting his first hat-trick for the Three Lions by transferring his goal-scoring form from his domestic season onto the international scene.
Putting the visitors to the sword after opening the scoring and also winning a first-half penalty that was converted by Harry Kane, Sterling capped off a wonderful performance by striking twice after the interval to take home the match ball and earn a standing ovation from the bumper crowd.
His display attracted plenty of plaudits on social media and among those to heap praise on the City star was former England striker Gary Lineker, who perfectly summed up how fans were feeling.
Man City fans are all saying the same thing about Raheem Sterling after England hat-trick
"A hat-trick for the brilliant @Sterling7. What a marvellous footballer he's become," he wrote on Twitter.
Sterling entered the game with only four goals in 47 appearances for the Three Lions but hit back at the critics who singled him out at times during England's World Cup campaign last summer, where the 24-year-old was part of the squad who reached the semi-finals.
