Live text commentary recap | England thrash Serbia

Serbia 0 - 5 England live text commentary recap

Thomas Tuchel's side made it five wins from five in their qualifying campaign

Author | Josh D

Stadium | Rajko Mitic Stadium

Goals from Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Marcus Rashford seal a memorable night in Belgrade for the Three Lions, who have taken a huge step towards next summer’s World Cup.

Full-time | A five-star performance from Tuchel's side

On paper this was a daunting trip, yet England have delivered one of their best performances in some time. The job is complete and the mission accomplished in Serbia.

90 minutes | Rashford makes it 5 (five) from the penalty spot.

Ollie Watkins was brought down in the penalty area by Strahinja Erakovic. Marcus Rashford took the penalty and calmly placed it beyond the Serbian keeper.

75 minutes | Another goal. It’s becoming too easy for England.

Nikola Milenkovic’s foul proves doubly costly for Serbia. He is shown a red card and from the resulting free-kick Declan Rice delivers to the back post, where Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi outmuscles his marker and flicks the ball into the net.

73 minutes | Straight red card from Nikola Milenkovic

Nottingham Forest defender and Serbia captain Nikola Milenkovic is sent off. It is a straight red as he was the last man, having raced across to challenge Harry Kane, who reached the ball first before being brought down.

Clip from the crowd | England fans celebrate in Belgrade

This was the view from the away end England fans celebrate their third goal.

67 minutes | Serbia not causing many problems

Serbia left-back Strahinja Pavlovic bursts forward and attempts a cross, but his delivery is overhit and drifts harmlessly over Jordan Pickford’s goal.

53 minutes | Konsa scores England's third goal! Game over?

Anthony Gordon’s effort is pushed away by goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic, but Marc Guehi reacts quickest and, under pressure, nudges it across for Ezri Konsa to crash in at the back post.

Half-time | Serbia 0 - 2 England

Without doubt, the best half of football England have played in Thomas Tuchel's spell in charge, and the Three Lions are well in control of this one following goals from Harry Kane and Noni Madueke.

One England messaged us: “England have been dominant, Serbia have scarcely ventured out of their own half and Jordan Pickford could almost be passing the time with a crossword.”

35 minutes | It's a first England goal for Noni Madueke!

Elliot Anderson slid the ball into Morgan Rogers, whose clever flick released Noni Madueke in stride. The winger’s speed had unsettled Serbia all evening and once more he proved too sharp for his marker. The new Arsenal player cut across a Serbia defender, who risked conceding a penalty had he made contact, before lifting a composed finish over the advancing Dorde Petrovic.

33 minutes | Harry Kane gives England the lead

Harry Kane made it five goals in just over five matches under Thomas Tuchel with his latest strike for England. The captain rose to meet Declan Rice’s corner from around 12 yards, stooping low to direct his header goalwards. The effort carried enough power to bounce into the far corner of the net.

10 minutes | England start brightly

The first shot of the game came from Declan Rice after linking up with Elliot Anderson. Rice's strike from the edge of the box doesn't contain too much power. Bournemouth's Dorde Petrovic is able to safely gather.

View from the England end pre match.

Over 2000 England fans have made the trip to Belgrade. This was the view in the away end before kick-off. 

Pre match comments from England captain Harry Kane 

Speaking with the media before the match, Kane said: "Up until now we've been against teams that are happy to sit back and try to not make it four or five nil so you have to be patient. We've had spells where we've handled it well.

"Serbia are a really good football team and at home so they will try to press us higher up the pitch. As a striker in those other games, you know you are not going to get nine or 10 chances in a game so you have to take the one or two you get.

Confirmed England starting line-up

It has been confirmed that England boss Thomas Tuchel has made four changes to the side that beat Andorra.

Pickford, James, Rice, Konsa, Guehi, Gordon, Kane, Rogers, Livramento, Madueke, Anderson.

Pre match discussion 

Thomas Tuchel’s England side face a crucial test against Serbia in an intense atmosphere in Belgrade.

With seven qualifiers left before naming his World Cup squad, Tuchel has yet to show clear signs of progress. England scraped a 2-0 win against Andorra, their fourth successive qualifying victory, but the performance offered little spark. A positive result in Serbia would bring them closer to next summer’s tournament.

Rumoured team news

Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers is in line to start England's World Cup qualifier against Serbia.

Manager Thomas Tuchel faces what is likely to be the sternest test of his reign so far in Belgrade but is set to make changes following Saturday's victory over Andorra. In addition, Rogers and Anthony Gordon are expected to feature in attacking roles, with Tino Livramento and Ezri Konsa also pushing for starting places.

Dan Burn, Eberechi Eze and Marcus Rashford, who all began against Andorra, are expected to drop out.

Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly has not been included in the final 23-man squad and will sit out the fixture.