Both England and France made it two wins from two in Euro 2020 qualifying as the Three Lions smashed Montenegro 5-1, while Le Bleus cruised past Iceland 4-0 on Monday. Portugal on the other hand were held to a 1-1 draw by Serbia.
Montenegro 1-5 England
Although England controlled the early exchanges, Montenegro took the lead against the run of play in the 17th minute – Vesovic beating Jordan Pickford with a curling effort from 12 yards after playing the ball against Keane.
The England centre-back levelled at the half-hour mark, however, finding the bottom-right corner with a fine header from Barkley’s free-kick.
Barkley was vital again as England took the lead eight minutes later, diverting Hudson-Odoi’s slightly wayward shot in from close range.
Danijel Petkovic was helpless in the 59th minute as Sterling’s cutback was knocked straight to Barkley by Stefan Savic, and the Chelsea man swept home from the centre of the area.
Kane got in on the act with 19 minutes to play, tapping a squared pass from Sterling – who was released by Barkley – in from close range for his 17th goal in 20 England appearances under Gareth Southgate.
France 4-0 Iceland
France started with a spring in their step and forged head when Umtiti headed Mbappe’s inswinging cross into the net via the right-hand post.
Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson did well to tip over Giroud’s header five minutes later, before Mbappe and Matuidi both squandered chances from promising positions.
They were almost punished for their failure to take those chances when Bjarnason’s long-range drive was repelled by Lloris at the start of the second period.
Benjamin Pavard fizzed a half-volley narrowly past the post before turning provider for his side’s second. His teasing cross from the right was missed by Halldorsson, giving Giroud the opportunity to find the net with his thigh from close range.
Mbappe then completed a superb individual display 12 minutes from time, collecting Griezmann’s pass and showing marvellous strength and balance to hold off his man and poke past Halldorsson for his 12th international goal.
Those two combined again in stunning fashion six minutes later as Griezmann latched onto Mbappe’s sumptuous backheel to clip over the onrushing Halldorsson and put the seal on a fine win.
Portugal 1-1 Poland
William Carvalho had a goal disallowed against Ukraine and should have put Portugal ahead inside four minutes here, but he failed to apply a finish from point-blank range.
Portugal were made to pay for Carvalho’s miss three minutes later, Tadic making no mistake from the spot after Rui Patricio barged into Mijat Gacinovic, though Serbia’s lead would have been short lived if not for a pair of superb saves from Marko Dmitrovic.
Ronaldo’s injury looked to have knocked the wind out of Portugal’s sails, but the hosts drew level when Danilo picked out the top-right corner with an outstanding strike from 30 yards.
The reigning European champions failed to recapture the same intensity after the restart and were fortunate that Adem Ljajic blazed over in the 56th minute, while Nemanja Maksimovic made a vital block to deny Andre Silva at the other end.
Portugal looked to have been handed a lifeline when Marciniak initially deemed Antonio Rukavina handled in the area, but the assistant referee came to Serbia’s rescue when he instructed the official to change his decision.
The hosts’ frustrations only grew in stoppage time when Bernardo Silva and Pepe squandered chances to secure a dramatic win.