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MOTD: England 5-0 San Marino

By on October 9, 2014

It was the kind if mismatch that had to be played, but will hardly affect Euro 2016 qualifying at all. The match tonight perhaps said more about UEFA’s new qualifying and tournament format than either San Marino or how England will actually fare in two years time (them not qualifying is all but out of the question). On paper it was a terrible mismatch, with the visitors having not won a single match since 2004, and in reality is was even worse, if possible. San Marino originally put up a fight but England simply outclassed them. After the final whistle Andros Townsend Tweeted that he was glad to get a goal, no matter who the opponent. The slightly dissed San Marino but it was the truth. Everything was too easy for a England and they should hardly take anything away from the match.

Phil Jagielka got on twenty-four minutes in, and Wayne Rooney scored a second via a penalty right on the brink of the half. Danny Welbeck added another, before Townsend got his and San Marino put one in the back of their own net. England play Estonia next in qualifying Group E, in what should be another easy win, but altogether even if they don’t get the three points UEFA’s new system is all to forgiving. In the end, it isn’t competitive enough, especially for those at the top. Even teams like Switzerland and Slovenia should make relatively easy pickings of San Marino. There are games that don’t need to be played, and it’s not like San Marino will qualify for the finals of the tournament.

The only real action in Group E may be among Slovenia, Switzerland, and perhaps Estonia for the next two places behind England. Lithuania should be another easy win for most of the teams in the group.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.